Venues
Choosing a wedding venue in Bangkok: what to check first
Twelve questions to ask a venue before you sign, and how hotels, rooftops and outdoor spaces really compare.
The venue is your largest single cost and the hardest thing to change later. Here is what to ask before signing.
Twelve questions to ask before you sign
1. Does the quoted price already include service charge and VAT?
2. What is the minimum guest count or minimum spend?
3. From what time can suppliers load in, and is there a charge?
4. What time must the wedding end, and what is the hourly overtime rate?
5. Can we bring in outside suppliers, and is there a fee for doing so?
6. Can we bring our own drinks, and what is the corkage?
7. Is there a bridal changing room?
8. How many cars can park, and do guests pay?
9. For outdoor spaces, what exactly is the wet-weather plan?
10. Does the power supply support the lighting and sound rig?
11. What are the postponement and cancellation terms?
12. Is another wedding booked at the same venue on the same day?
Comparing the three common Bangkok formats
**Hotels** are the easiest. Catering, parking, changing rooms and an operations team are all in place. In exchange, customisation is limited and in-house catering is usually mandatory. Best for 150–500 guests.
**Rooftops** give you a distinctive, memorable backdrop and work best from late afternoon into the evening. Watch out for wind, afternoon sun and the wet-weather plan. Best for 60–200 guests.
**Outdoor spaces and private homes** offer complete freedom and privacy, but you rent in everything — marquees, bathrooms, field kitchens and generators. The all-in cost is often no lower than a hotel.
The thing most couples overlook
Visit the venue at the same time of day as your wedding. The light at three in the afternoon and at six in the evening are completely different things, and so is the traffic noise.
