Wedding venue open days are all about getting to see lots of different wedding venues in a short space of time. It’s like speed dating, but for your dream venue. You get to stroll around beautifully styled spaces, sip on a glass of fizz, chat with the events team, and imagine yourself saying “I do” right then and there.
Whether you’re just starting your search or narrowing down your top picks, open days are the perfect, low-pressure way to explore your options. It’s your time to gather inspo, learn more about the venue, and see what feels right.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to expect, who to bring, what to ask, and how to make the most of your day—so you can get one step closer to finding the one (venue, that is).
What is a wedding venue open day?
An open day is an event held by a wedding venue where lots of couples are invited to come and explore the space simultaneously. The room is usually dressed for a wedding, so you can see what’s possible, and there’s often a team of friendly staff on hand to answer questions, give mini tours, and introduce you to trusted suppliers like florists, photographers, and cake makers.
Open days usually happen one or twice a year on designated weekends. You may need to book onto them in advance, especially for small or popular venues. Keep an eye on the venue’s social media accounts or their website for available dates. Alternatively, simply check out a venue’s upcoming events via their Bridebook profile. When searching for venues in the Bridebook app, there’s also a handy filter, ‘Has upcoming events’, which lets you easily filter for venues with open days and wedding fairs coming up in the calendar.
You don’t usually have to book a time slot for an open day—they’re much more relaxed than venue tours or private visits. You can arrive when it suits you at any point within a usually generous timeframe (whether daytime or evening) and wander at your own pace. Just be prepared for an open day to be a bit busier than a private show around, especially during peak times.
That being said, some venues may still ask you to pre-register, either by emailing or calling the team directly, or by marking your attendance via platforms like Eventbrite (for free, of course!). As part of this, they may also ask you to confirm the number of attendees, to better plan on their side and manage their expectations. So be prepared to pre-book your visit in advance!
What to expect at an open day
Never been to an open day and wondering what it’s like? Keep reading for helpful answers to the most common questions about what you can expect to experience when you attend an open day.
Who hosts an open day?
Wedding open days are usually hosted by either the events manager or the wedding coordinator of the venue. You may also get to interact with the serving staff, bar staff, hospitality manager, and any other registered vendors the venue regularly works with. This can include preferred florists, photographers, videographers, and more.
Pro tip: It’s worth asking whether the preferred vendors present come as part of a package, or whether you’re free to use your own vendors. Some venues only allow couples to use vendors from their preferred list. Equally, some vendors offer a discount if you book them as part of a package with the venue, so it’s definitely worth asking the question while you’re there.
How long does an open day take?
One of the best things about open days is that you can take your time exploring the venue at your own pace. If you find everything you need in just 10 minutes, that’s perfectly fine—time to head home! But, if you want to spend the time soaking up the atmosphere, chatting with the venue’s team or any suppliers present, and imagining every little detail of your special day, go right ahead.
Most open days are meant to be laid-back and self-guided, so there’s usually no rush or strict schedule. Some couples stop by briefly to get a quick first impression, while others prefer to stay longer, chatting with everyone and asking all their questions. It’s all about what feels right for you and where you are in your planning process and venue search.
Pro tip: While open days tend to offer a lot of freedom in terms of timings, always check exactly when and how long the venue will be hosting. Some open days are specific mornings, afternoons or evenings, so make sure you’re aware of the hours when you can drop in.
Who can you bring?
You can invite whoever you’d like on an open day! Whether it’s your wedding party, your parents, or just you and your partner, the choice is completely yours. Some couples enjoy having a lively crew around for second opinions and extra support, while others prefer to keep things intimate and focused. Whatever you decide, it’s all about what makes you feel happiest and most comfortable.
That being said, as mentioned above, some venues may ask you to share in advance the number of people you’ll be bringing with you, as this helps them with logisitics on the day (like how many canapés to prepare for etc.).
What will you see?
What you’ll see on an open day can vary depending on the venue. Most venues will dress up their main rooms to give you an idea of how they look when decorated for a wedding. They often style different rooms in a variety of themes—like traditional, colourful, or minimalist—helping you imagine different possibilities and find a look that speaks to you.
Marta Díaz Anes, Senior Wedding and Events Coordinator at Morden Hall, explains what to expect at one of their open days: “During an open day, we try to offer viewings to all of our couples. Depending on demand, we may ask the couples to enjoy the venue and a drink for a few minutes whilst one of the team members becomes available. The venue is beautifully set up and our recommended suppliers are around to give you ideas for your big day at Morden Hall!”
What to do at an open day
During your visit, you’ll usually have the chance to walk through the ceremony space, reception area, the lovely grounds, and sometimes even the accommodation. Many venues also like to highlight extra touches such as table settings, floral decorations, lighting options, and entertainment ideas. It’s a fantastic way to gather plenty of inspiration all in one visit!
Be sure to take plenty of pictures, ask all your questions, and make as many notes as you’d like. Ask about preferred suppliers, clarify whether they can offer your must-haves, and don’t be afraid to dig into the details—things like noise restrictions, access times, or what’s included in the hire fee. Even general vibes like “what does a typical wedding day here look like?” can help you decide if it’s the right fit.
Don’t forget, if there’s anything you missed or you forgot to ask, you can always visit again. Marta from Morden Hall adds: “It’s very popular for our couples to visit the venue during the open day, put their preferred date on hold, and come back for a private viewing; or come for a private viewing, put their preferred day on hold, and visit the venue for a second time during an open day with further questions or family before make the decision.”
What else might be on offer?
Who doesn’t love a freebie? The beauty of open days is that venues often go the extra mile to make the day fun and memorable. That might mean a glass of fizz, a few canapés, and maybe even a cheeky goodie bag!
So, have fun! Make a day of it, enjoy all the free samples, and take in as much as you can. Chat to the venue’s experienced team, ask questions (even the small ones), and snap photos of anything that catches your eye.
Questions to ask at an open day
The questions you ask at an open day might be slightly different from the questions you ask at either a private viewing or wedding fair. They’re slightly more general in nature, while a viewing might focus more on the nitty-gritty details of logistics, layout, and timelines tailored specifically to your day.
At an open day, you may want to ask:
- What’s your availability like for next year?
- Do you have any limitations on ceremony times or days?
- Do you offer exclusive use?
- What’s the wet weather plan for impromptu rain?
- Can we use our own vendors and decorators?
- Can we use our own caterers?
- Are there any early bird discounts or seasonal offers available?
- Can we provisionally book dates while we make our decision?
- What’s the payment schedule if we do decide to book?
- How far in advance should we book to avoid missing out?
- What do couples tend to say about getting married here?
- Is there anything they wish they’d done differently?
- Are there any extra fees we should be aware of (e.g., corkage, cleanup, overtime)?
- What kind of support do you offer on the day itself?
- Can we visit again for a private tour if we’re still deciding?
- Are there any upcoming open dates or events we should know about?
You might find it helpful to save more detailed questions—like those about access times, space measurements, or setup logistics—for your private viewing. But, of course, if you feel comfortable, don’t hesitate to ask any questions you have.
How to book an open day
You don’t usually need to book an open day, though some venues may require it, and ask that you either fill out a simple attendance form or officially register via email or Eventbrite. Either way, it’s a good idea to get yourself organised and let the venue know in advance that you’re planning to attend.
You can also send the venue a direct enquiry via the Bridebook app to ask whether they have an upcoming open day or viewing slot available. Once you’ve done so, you can then continue the conversation with them using the ‘Messages’ tool, which keeps everything in one place and makes it super easy to stay on top of your planning and your venue comms. Dropping them a quick message shows you’re keen, gives them a heads-up on expected numbers, and might even mean you get a little extra attention on the day. Plus, if anything changes, like timings or last-minute offers, they can update you directly.
You can also keep a record of any open days you’re hoping to attend in the ‘Favourites’ section of your Bridebook app. Here, we recommend that you save a running list of all the venues you’re interested in, jot down notes after each visit, and track who you’ve contacted in each place.
Get wedding-ready with Bridebook
Open days are a key part of the wedding planning process. Not only for the inspo overload, but for the freebies you get along the way! From fizz and cake samples to styling ideas and supplier chats, they’re a brilliant way to get excited, informed, and confident about what you want (and don’t want) for your big day.
Whether you’re just dipping your toe into venue hunting or already have a shortlist, open days let you explore in a low-pressure, fun environment. And when you’re ready to take it further, you can book private viewings, compare venues side by side, and message teams directly—all through the Bridebook app.
So, grab your partner, rally your wedding crew, and get ready to make the most of this exciting part of wedding planning!
You Might Also Like…
- All the Types of Venue Events: Why Visiting Venues Is Crucial in Wedding Planning
- The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Venue Viewings
- The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Venue Fairs
- Top 10 Tips for Choosing Your Dream Wedding Venue
- 22 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Venuea
Happy Planning!
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