Open Houses are Mini Bridal Shows and Provide One Stop Shopping!
Planning your wedding can be one of the most exciting (and overwhelming) experiences of your life. The most major decision that sets the tone for your big day is choosing the perfect venue. While researching venues online and browsing photos is helpful, nothing beats the experience of visiting the space in person. That’s where wedding venue open houses come in. Butler’s Courtyard are the experts in venue open houses as we have been hosting 2 Open Houses a year for over 23 years.
These events are designed with one purpose in mind: to help you, the happy couple-to-be, envision your special day in the space. But their importance goes beyond just seeing pretty rooms. Wedding venue open houses give you a unique opportunity to gather details, interact with the venue staff, and even meet potential wedding vendors. To make these events as productive (and fun!) as possible, here’s why they matter and how to ensure you’re successful.
Why Attending Open Houses Matters
- See the venues in real life and not just in marketing photos:
Websites and social posts can only show so much. Open houses allow you to walk around and truly experience the venue’s layout, size, spirit, and atmosphere. You’ll get a much better idea of whether the space can match the vibe you’re imagining for your special day. - Visualize your custom wedding and see all the upgrades available:
Many open houses are staged to reflect what a wedding there could look like—a fully set tablescape, decorated ceremony spaces, decorative backdrops, lighting, and even music. This gives you a real-world sense of how the venue might look and feel during your big day. - Meet the Coordinators and venue team in person:
A venue’s staff plays a huge role in ensuring your wedding goes smoothly. Meeting them in person at an open house gives you a chance to see how friendly, professional, and knowledgeable they are. You can check out their uniforms and see how they interact with guests. The Coordinators can answer planning questions and describe how your day will go. Building a good relationship with the venue team early on is important to keep your stress down. - Meet Partnered Vendors and see their work:
Open houses usually include other wedding vendors like florists, photographers, and cake bakers. This is a great opportunity to chat with vendors the venue recommends and see samples of their work. It’s like ONE STOP SHOPPING or a mini bridal expo tailored specifically to that venue!
- Make your decision faster and save money:
Booking a wedding venue is a significant investment, so you want to be sure it’s the right choice for you. Most venues have their open houses around the same time which allows you to visit multiple venues in the same month, week or even day. Open houses arm you with the knowledge and confidence you need to make the best decision possible. Usually venues will have a booking incentive if you book at their open house that can be significant savings!
Pro Tip: Keep an Open Mind Amid the Chaotic Energy
It’s important to remember that wedding venue open houses can feel more chaotic than weddings themselves. At Butler’s Courtyard we have a very smooth wedding day system, but open houses are a beautiful organized chaos because of the nature of the event. These events aren’t designed to perfectly mimic the calm and organized flow of a celebration—they’re meant to showcase the venue and its potential to as many couples as possible in a single event, and they all bring an entourage.
You can expect crowds, lively chatter, and possibly some bottlenecks in certain spots as other visitors explore the same spaces. You might even find the staging or decorations aren’t quite your style, but don’t get too caught up in the decor that is setup. Instead, focus on the bones of the venue and consider how it could transform into a space that fits your dream wedding. Look past the crowds, visualize your own personal touches, and imagine what the venue could look like on a quieter, more controlled wedding day with guests all on the same “timeline” and there with the same intention: to celebrate you!
Pro Tips for Staying Calm and Focused
- Give Yourself Time: Arrive early or plan to spend a good chunk of time at the event so you don’t feel rushed.
- Take a Step Back When Overwhelmed: If the room feels too crowded, step outside or move to a quieter area to regain focus.
- Don’t Sweat the Decor: Keep in mind that the staging is temporary. What matters most is the venue’s layout, flow and the team.
- Take Breaks: If you’re feeling stressed, give yourself permission to grab a drink of water or pause for a bit before continuing. Better yet, try our world famous Butler’s Courtyard wedding punch!
By keeping an open mind and focusing on the venue’s potential—not just the current chaos—you’ll make the most of the open house experience and walk away with a better understanding of whether it’s the right fit for your wedding.
How to Make the Most of Wedding Venue Open Houses
1. Be Prepared to Register at the Door
Venues will want to get your contact information so they can follow up with you after the event. Usually that also means you’re entered into a drawing to win a prize!
2. Prepare Some Questions in Advance
Before heading to the event, jot down all the questions you want to ask. These could include:
- What’s included in the cost (tables, chairs, linens, food, cake, etc.)?
- Is outside catering allowed, or do they require you to use their preferred vendors?
- What’s their weather backup plan for outdoor weddings?
3. Explore Every Corner and Don’t Miss Any Buildings
Take your time to explore the entire venue, from restrooms to the dressing suites, and even parking areas. Pay attention to small details like cleanliness, accessibility for elderly guests, and whether the flow of the space works for your vision.
4. Take Notes and Lots of Photos
Bring a notebook or use your phone to jot down key details and snap photos. After visiting multiple venues, it’s easy to confuse what you saw where. Having visual and written reminders will help things stay clear when it’s time to compare and contrast.
5. Observe the Atmosphere
Does the venue feel warm and inviting? Are there any smells, lighting issues, or noises that might interfere with your day? The overall vibe of the space is just as important as its looks.
6. Chat With Staff and Vendors
Introduce yourself to the staff and ask more about how they typically operate weddings at the venue. Similarly, take time to chat with any vendors. Building these connections early could benefit you when it’s time to finalize your team. It’s also important to know how your guests will be treated on your wedding day. Was the venue staff kind, attentive and welcoming to you at the open house? That’s a good indicator they will be that way on your wedding day.
7. Bring Your VIPs
Whether it’s your fiancé, a parent, or a trusted friend, having a second opinion can be really helpful. They may notice things you overlooked or ask questions you hadn’t thought of. Plus, it is a great chance to show off your wedding venue so as you get deeper into planning they can help you more because they’ve been in the space.
8. Come Hungry
The caterers and bakers will be giving out samples and you don’t want to be too full to really enjoy it. This can take the place of a formal tasting to save you a step, or at least help you narrow down things so you know exactly what you do want to taste at your private tasting.
9. Follow Up
Once the open house is over, email your primary contact at the venue to thank them for their time. If you’re seriously interested in the venue, ask to schedule a follow-up visit to go over any details you need clarified. Butler’s Courtyard will certainly follow-up with you. All you have to do is reply to the texts! Wedding planning made easy.
Wrapping Up
Wedding venue open houses are a great chance to take a hands-on approach to planning. They provide an awesome opportunity to see the space, meet the staff, and gather all the details you need to make an informed decision while taking advantage of discounts and sales incentives. By being prepared, taking notes, and soaking in the environment, you’ll set yourself up for success and feel more confident about the venue you choose.
Remember, even if the open house feels busy and bustling, it’s just a preview. Focus on the venue’s true potential and trust that the staff will transform the space into a calm and stunning setting for your big day. This is your chance to make connections, get inspired, and take steps toward the wedding of your dreams! You can always schedule another visit to your favorite venue(s) to have a private tour and see it without the open house chaos. Butler’s Courtyard encourages you to schedule a visit before or after the open house and if you do it within a week of the open house we’ll even honor the open house incentive! Just click HERE to get our pricing info and request your private tour.
As always we owe a big hug to EventSmith Productions for sharing these photos.
To find your perfect wedding venue that is locally owned and operated you can use this Wedding Venue Map. In addition to educating our readers we want to support our friends, other locally owned wedding venues like: Cornerstone Ranch Events Blog, La Joya Dulce, Degas House in New Orleans, Hidden Gem of Gruene, Willow Oaks Venue, Silver City Ballroom