Choosing your wedding venue is one of the first and most important decisions you’ll make when planning your wedding. It sets the tone for the entire day, influences your budget, and affects almost every other choice you’ll make, from catering and styling to guest experience and logistics.
With so many stunning options available in places like Marbella and the Costa del Sol, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the choices available. That’s why having a clear checklist and the right support makes all the difference.
At Sana Catering, venue selection is a core part of our wedding planning service. Whether you want to work from our selection or if you prefer to choose another venue, we guide couples through this process every day, helping them ask the right questions, compare options clearly, and choose a venue that works for their wedding.
Why Your Wedding Venue Matters
Your venue is the foundation of your wedding day. It determines how your day flows, how your guests experience it, and how smoothly everything runs behind the scenes. It’s also one of the biggest investments you’ll make, so it’s important to get it right.
When viewing venues, it’s not just about whether it feels right emotionally – it’s about understanding the practical details, the costs, and how flexible the venue really is.
This checklist is designed to help you gather the right information when visiting venues, so you can compare them properly once you’re back home. And yes, always take a pen!
How to Use This Wedding Venue Checklist
Take this checklist with you when viewing venues and make notes as you go. Once you’ve visited a few, transferring your notes into a simple spreadsheet can be incredibly helpful to help you make your final decision. Seeing costs, features, and restrictions side by side often makes the decision much clearer.
The Venue: Key Practical Questions
When walking around the venue, ask yourself how the day would actually work there – and ask these questions:
- What is the capacity for ceremony guests?
- What is the capacity for the reception?
- Is there any shade? This one is very important for weddings on the Costa del Sol!
- If it rains, can things be moved inside?
- Is there sufficient parking for guests?
- Is the venue accessible for guests with mobility needs?
- Is confetti allowed?
- Is there space for a live band or DJ?
- Is there a dedicated dancefloor area?
- Are there any evening noise restrictions?
- Are fireworks permitted?
- Is there a PA system available for speeches?
Also consider the layout: is there enough space for guests to move comfortably, and does the flow make sense from ceremony to drinks to dinner?
Many venues on the Costa del Sol host weddings week in, week out, so they’ll be happy to answer all your questions – but it’s always best to go prepared with these questions.
Accommodation and Travel
Accommodation and travel are major factors that you’ll need to consider, particularly for destination weddings.
It’s worth asking:
- Is there a room available for the couple to use on the day?
- Is overnight accommodation available on site?
- How many rooms are available, and at what cost?
- Can rooms be reserved for guests?
- If there’s no accommodation, are there recommended hotels or nearby Airbnbs?
- How will guests travel to the venue? Is it easy to do so?
These details can significantly affect your guests’ experience and transport planning.
Costs, Contracts and Booking Terms
This is where clarity really matters. You’ll want to make sure you fully understand the financial commitment before moving forward with your chosen venue.
Key questions to ask:
- What venue hire options are available, and what do they include?
- What is the cancellation policy?
- How much is the deposit to secure the date, and when is it due?
- When is the final balance payable?
- Are there any additional or hidden costs to be aware of?
Important Things Couples Often Forget to Ask
In addition to the basics, it’s also worth thinking about:
- Can you read reviews and testimonials from other couples?
- How much flexibility is there with timings and layout?
How Sana Catering Helps With Venue Selection
While this checklist is incredibly useful, many couples prefer not to manage this process alone – especially when planning from abroad. That’s where our wedding planning service comes in.
At Sana Catering, we:
- Help you shortlist venues that genuinely suit your guest numbers, style and budget
- Arrange and attend viewings (in person with you or virtually)
- Manage the entire process for you, all the way from when you initially enquire with us, through to on-the-day co-ordination
- Ask the right questions on your behalf, if needed
- Help you compare venues clearly and confidently
- Ensure the venue works perfectly with your overall wedding plans
Because we regularly plan and cater for weddings at these venues, we understand how they work in real life, not just on paper.
Take Your Time, Take Notes, and Trust the Process
Choosing your wedding venue isn’t a decision to rush. Take photos, write detailed notes, ask questions, and review everything calmly once you’re home. Comparing venues in this way often makes the right choice obvious.
And if you’d rather have expert guidance from the start, we’re here to help.
Get in touch with Sana Catering to talk through your venue options and start planning a wedding day that feels well thought out, well run, and completely you.