It’s easy to fall in love with a wedding venue online.
The views are beautiful. The lighting is perfect. The vibe feels right. But once the excitement settles, couples often realize they still have important questions about booking a wedding venue. Questions that don’t always show up in a gallery or Instagram post.
Because photos can show you pretty.
They don’t always show you practical.
Asking the right questions early can save you stress, money, and disappointment later.
More importantly, it helps you choose a venue that truly supports your wedding experience, not just a picture-perfect version of one.
Why is this important?
After years in the wedding industry, we’ve seen this pattern play out more times than we can count.
Couples fall in love with the photos, book quickly, and only later realize what the venue doesn’t include. The weather plan is vague. Vendor setup isn’t clearly defined. The timeline looks good on paper, but the day itself feels harder to manage than expected.
In Alaska especially, those details matter more.
That’s why, at BlueWater BaseCamp, we’ve designed The Gathering House and our property specifically for weddings that feel intentional, warm, and human — not overly polished or rigid. We also know that being “just far enough away” can make delivery fees and logistics add up fast, so clarity upfront matters.
1. What does the wedding venue actually include?
This is one of the most important (and most misunderstood) questions.
Some venues are blank slates. Others are more comprehensive. Understanding what’s included: tables, chairs, linens, dining service, getting-ready spaces, accessibility, parking, on-site coordination, or lodging helps you compare venues realistically.
The contract should clearly list everything included with your package. Transparency with what the contract includes makes it easier to compare venues.
A venue may appear more economical, but if tables and chairs still have to be rented, is it really a better deal? (link to rental blog)
At BlueWater BaseCamp, the location is just far enough away that delivery costs add up quickly.
The following items come with every wedding or event using The Gathering House:
- Up to 15 tables in various sizes including 36” and 48” round tables, including cocktail height tables and a collection of rectangular tables that can be combined to create a long, dramatic table setting.
- Linens are provided for all dining tables, but not for food and beverage tables. Linens are cleaned, ironed and set before your arrival so you do not have to spend extra time touching up linens. All linens are ivory, so if a custom color is desired, they will need to be rented.
- Up to 75 clear “ghost” chairs that can be used outdoors or indoors.
- A speaker with microphone that can be used for background music, giving toasts or karaoke from any device.
- A large Smart TV, Bluetooth enabled to show that amazing photo slideshow from any device in the room.
- Use of the finishing kitchen with 36” professional range, ice machine, fridge and freezer, triple sink, counter space and serving bar.
- A Prep salon for parties to prepare, bands to hang out in or a quiet place for nursing mothers without leaving the building.
Getting clarity up front on what the venue does or does not include can save you time and money later on.
2. How does the venue handle weather, especially in Alaska?
Alaska weddings are stunning, but flexibility is essential.
In the summer rain is a concern, but don’t forget about extreme cold and early darkness in the winter.
Questions to ask:
- Is there an indoor or covered backup option?
- Can the ceremony move easily if needed?
- How does the venue support guests if conditions change?
The best venues don’t just have a backup plan—they’ve implemented the plan before and know how to pivot gracefully. Discussing the options available saves you stress when it comes time to build the weather plan.
At BlueWater BaseCamp, the Eklutna Valley has its own weather system. We help you plan for all types of weather in the months leading up to your wedding. The week of your wedding we give you regular weather updates so you are prepared no matter what happens.
3. What does the flow of the day look like in this space?
A beautiful venue should allow your day to flow seamlessly from moment to moment.
Ask:
- What will the guests be doing before the ceremony starts?
- How do guests move from ceremony to celebration?
- Where do cocktail hour conversations happen?
- Is there space for quiet moments as well as lively ones?
BlueWater BaseCamp is designed with an open floor plan. We understand how important intentional flow is on a wedding day. From cocktail hour to ceremony to reception, our team manages the transitions and provides clear recommendations that help the day move smoothly and keep guests oriented.
Knowing where your guests will be as spaces are transformed allows the day to unfold naturally, rather than feeling rushed or fragmented.
4. Can we host more than just the ceremony here?
Many couples today want more than a single-day event. They want a wedding experience.
This is exactly what BlueWater BaseCamp is designed for.
Venue questions to ask:
- Can guests stay on site or nearby? (That’s a yes at BWBC!)
- Is there space for welcome gatherings or farewell brunches?
- Can the venue support a full weekend without feeling overwhelming?
Hosting everything in one place often becomes one of couples’ favorite decisions. Memories are created over several days instead of a single evening event for both the couple and their guests. Creating a wedding experience instead of a couple hour event does more than save you something, it creates excitement and memories you will never forget.
5. What does planning support by a wedding venue actually include?
“Support” can mean different things.
Some venues offer full coordination. Others provide guidance while encouraging couples to build their own team. Neither is wrong—but clarity is key.
Unless the venue has a wedding planner on staff, venue coordination does not replace hiring a wedding planner.
Venue questions to ask:
- Who is our main point of contact?
- How involved is the venue leading up to the wedding?
- What support is provided on the wedding day itself?
Couples often say that calm, responsive communication mattered just as much as the space itself.
BONUS QUESTIONS: Does this wedding venue feel like us?
This is the question that often matters most—and the one couples sometimes overlook.
When you imagine yourself getting ready here, sharing vows here, celebrating here… does it feel comfortable? Grounding? Exciting in the right way?
The best venues don’t just look beautiful. They feel welcoming. They allow you to be present rather than performative.
When couples choose a venue like BlueWater BaseCamp, it’s often because the space feels intentional, warm, and human—not overly polished or rigid.
Choosing the vibe and feel of your wedding is deeply personal. The venue should support your vision and goals.
“But We Don’t Want to Be Difficult Asking All These Questions…”
A lot of couples hesitate here because they don’t want to feel “high maintenance.”
But asking thoughtful questions doesn’t make you difficult. It makes you prepared.
These questions protect:
- your budget (hello delivery fees + rentals)
- your timeline (vendor setup + flow)
- your guest experience (comfort + logistics)
- your peace of mind (weather + support)
Photos may draw you in, but the answers to these questions plus any others you think of are what make the decision feel right.
When to ask the questions
Most of these questions can be asked during a tour of the venue.
Bring a list. Ask as many questions as possible while you have the venue staff’s undivided attention. Make sure you also have a way to ask follow up questions.
And if you’re touring BlueWater BaseCamp, we love when couples show up with questions—because clarity is the beginning of confidence.
The Bottom Line
Your wedding venue sets the foundation for everything that follows.
Asking thoughtful questions early helps ensure the space supports your vision, your people, and your pace.
Photos may draw you in, but the answers are what make the decision feel right.
And when you find a venue that offers clarity, flexibility, and genuine care, the rest of the planning tends to fall into place.
Photo Credits: Rachel Struve Photography, Ak Berry Photography, Lena Lee Photography
Top 5 Questions to Ask When Booking Your Wedding Venue (Before You Fall in Love With the Photos)
January 12, 2026
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