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At Celestial Farms we believe that when you're searching for your dream Detroit area wedding venue there are 5 essential questions you must ask. The wedding venue sets the tone for the entire event and impacts every aspect of your big day, from guest comfort to the preferred and partner vendors they use and even your budget. While it’s tempting to fall in love with a venue based on its aesthetic or location, it’s essential to dig deeper and ensure that it aligns with your vision, needs, wants, logistics, and budget.
At Celestial Farms in Clio Michigan, we understand how overwhelming it can be to find a wedding venue that feels like a perfect fit for you. We've helped many brides and grooms navigate this important decision. Based on our experience, here are five essential questions to ask when choosing your dream Detroit area wedding venue.
1. What Is Included in the Venue’s Pricing Package?
One of the first things couples often look at when touring a wedding venue is the price. But the price tag alone doesn’t always give you the full picture. You need to know what’s included in the cost to determine if the venue fits your budget and to determine if there are services you need to add or eliminate. For example, we are exclusive with CHEERS TO YOU BARTENDING which not only makes drink menu planning a breeze but we can also guarantee excellent bar service for our clients and their wedding guests. And EVERY wedding here includes day of coordination-a priceless and crucial service that makes every event flow seamlessly. Are there strict time limits or are you allowed to start hair/makeup and decorating as early as you'd like?
Some venues offer all-inclusive packages that cover almost everything- from DJ and photography services and even catering. Other venues, like Celestial Farms, work with a curated list of preferred vendors for services such as videography, photography, DJ services, catering, cake and more. While we don’t offer fully exclusive packages, we make sure our preferred vendors, like Angela’s Angles Photography, Cheers to You Bartending, Mission BBQ and Sugar High Bakery, know our venue inside out and offer competitive, exclusive packages for our couples. This gives you the flexibility to build your dream wedding with trusted professionals, without worrying about getting stuck with a vendor you aren't happy with.
Before booking a venue, ask:
• Are tables, chairs, and linens included in the package?
• Is there an additional fee for setup and teardown?
• What amenities come with the rental (heating, air conditioning, restrooms)?
• Are there additional charges for bringing your own vendors?
• What’s the cancellation policy?
2. How Many Guests Can the Venue Accommodate Comfortably?
While it’s easy to fall in love with a venue’s look, you also need to think about its capacity and layout for your wedding size. A wedding venue might be visually stunning but impractical if it can’t comfortably fit your guest count.
When looking at capacity, ask yourself what kind of wedding experience you would like to have. Do you envision an intimate ceremony with close friends and family, or are you planning a larger and more grand celebration? Keep in mind that venue capacity can affect other decisions, like catering, parking, and restroom availability. It’s not just about whether everyone fits, but whether everyone has enough room to enjoy themselves.
At Celestial Farms, we’re proud to offer flexible spaces that can accommodate both intimate ceremonies and larger weddings. We recommend asking your venue:
• What is the maximum guest capacity?
• Is there a separate space for the ceremony and reception, or will the venue need to be flipped?
• Can the venue accommodate your specific setup, such as long banquet tables or a dance floor?
• Are there options for indoor and outdoor spaces?
• What is the plan for inclement weather, especially if you’re having an outdoor ceremony?
3. What Is the Venue’s Availability and Scheduling Flexibility?
Venue availability is one of the biggest determining factors when selecting your ideal wedding date. Popular venues tend to book out months (sometimes years) in advance, especially for prime wedding seasons. If you have your heart set on a specific date, you’ll need to check to see if the venue is available.
However, if your wedding date is flexible you have more options to work with. Many venues offer off-season rates or discounts for weddings booked on weekdays or Sundays. At Celestial Farms, we collaborate with our vendors, like Angela’s Angles Photography and Cheers to You Bartending, to provide discounted rates for winter weddings or midweek events, giving couples more options to fit their budget without compromising on quality.
When discussing availability, ask:
• What dates are available in my desired time frame?
• Are there any discounts for weekday or off-season weddings?
• How much time is allotted for the setup, the event, and teardown?
• Is there flexibility if my event runs longer than expected?
4. What Is the Venue’s Policy on Vendors and Décor?
Your wedding is a personal expression of your style and your story, and most couples want to add unique touches to make the wedding venue feel like it reflects their personalities. However, some venues have strict rules regarding what kind of décor is allowed, or even how you can set up the space.
At Celestial Farms, we always encourage couples to customize the venue to match their vision, while also working within guidelines to preserve the space and ensure safety. We provide a preferred vendor list, which includes talented professionals that we trust. These vendors are familiar with our venue’s setup and policies, and we keep a great line of communication with them which helps streamline your wedding day. However, we’re open to working with your favorite outside vendors, provided they meet our standards and comply with our venue's policies.
For décor, we’re known for our beautiful, modern barn setting that provides a rustic yet elegant backdrop and requires very little decorating. And while many of our couples choose a very minimalist decor approach due to the natural beauty of the facilities, we still encourage personalization. Whether it’s hanging and installing custom LED's or custom floral installations, we’re happy to help you transform the space while respecting its integrity.
When choosing your venue, be sure to ask:
• Can I use my own vendors, or do I have to use the venue’s preferred vendors?
• Are there any restrictions on décor, such as candles, string lights, or hanging installations?
• What is the venue’s policy on cleanup? Will they take care of it, or is that the responsibility of the couple?
• Does the venue have partnerships with vendors that offer discounts or special packages?
5. What Support Does the Venue Offer on the Wedding Day?
The day of your wedding will be extremely stressful if you don’t have the right support system in place. Some venues offer an on-site coordinator or day-of staff to help manage the flow of the event, while others leave you to handle all logistics on your own.
At Celestial Farms, we pride ourselves on our service and offer comprehensive support to ensure your day runs as smoothly as possible. Our team, including Angie from Angela’s Angles Photography, Casey from Cheers to You Bartending, and dedicated staff like Yolanda and Ansleigh, are here to help with everything from setting up for the ceremony to managing sparkler send-offs. We also work closely with your vendors to ensure seamless coordination. This allows you to focus on enjoying your special day while we handle all of the logistics.
When choosing a venue, ask:
• Does the venue provide a day-of coordinator or event manager?
• Are there staff members available to assist with setup, teardown, or general troubleshooting during the event?
• What role does the venue play in coordinating with vendors on the wedding day?
• Are there any additional fees for staffing or coordination services?
Conclusion: Making the Right Choice
Choosing the right location and venue for your wedding is a deeply personal decision, but it’s also a practical one. By asking the right questions, you can ensure that your dream wedding venue aligns with your budget, style, and vision. At Celestial Farms, we strive to bring every vision to life. We strive to make every couple’s wedding day as magical and stress-free as possible, from offering trusted vendors to providing a beautiful setting that’s both elegant and versatile which your guests will love.
Remember, the wedding venue you choose is the backdrop to one of the most important days of your life. Take your time, do your research, and don’t be afraid to ask questions until you feel confident that you’ve found your dream wedding venue. We’re here to help answer all of those questions and guide you every step of the way. Ready to see if Celestial Farms is the right venue for your wedding? Contact JEN today to schedule a tour and let’s start planning the wedding of your dreams!
Thank you so much for stopping by our blog, we hope you found this information helpful. We want to use our blog to increase awareness and support for locally owned wedding venues. Locally owned wedding venues tend to provide a higher level of expertise, service and dedication. They also have far less turnover than corporate owned or investor owned venues. As you plan your wedding we hope you will consider a locally owned wedding venue like ours. You can find locally owned wedding venues on this wedding venue map. Below is a shout out to fellow locally owned wedding venues around the country!
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