Before You Say “This Is the One!” Questions Every Couple Should Ask Their Wedding Venue During the Tour

Before You Say “This Is the One!” Questions Every Couple Should Ask

By Elizabeth Schlup-Lost Pond

What to Ask During a Wedding Venue Tour

Because choosing a venue is magical… but also mildly chaotic.

Planning your wedding shouldn’t feel like solving a puzzle where half the pieces are missing and someone replaced the others with glitter. Touring venues, especially scenic Colorado venues like Lost Pond in Penrose, is one of the most exciting parts of planning… as long as you know what to ask.

So here it is: a guide to help you glide through your venue tour like the organized, outdoorsy, Colorado-loving person you are. And yes, we added a little sass. This is Lost Pond. We don’t do boring.

1. “Where do we stash ourselves (and our emotional support humans) before the ceremony?”

A getting-ready suite isn’t just a room—it’s where you’ll take your first deep breath of the day, touch up your mascara, and remember that you forgot to eat breakfast.
Make sure:

• There’s enough room for your crew

• The lighting isn’t… tragic

• There are mirrors

• You can hide the snacks you don’t want to share

Lost Pond offers that peaceful, tucked-away vibe where you can get ready without worrying someone’s uncle will wander in early.

2. “What are the actual hours we get the venue?”

Because nothing kills a wedding-day buzz like being rushed.
Clarify:

• When you can arrive

• When your vendors can arrive

• When the party ends

• How long you get for cleanup

• Whether “overtime” costs one arm or two

Some Colorado venues flip weddings like pancakes, fast and hot. Lost Pond? We’re more like a slow Sunday brunch.

3. “Who’s actually doing the heavy lifting?”

Ask who:

• Sets up tables and chairs

• Places your décor

• Handles lighting

• Tears everything down at the end

There’s nothing wrong with DIY, unless you didn’t plan on doing it on your wedding day while wearing formal attire.

4. “How loud can we get before the neighbors start calling?”

Welcome to Colorado: land of wildlife, wide-open spaces, and the occasional noise ordinance.
Ask:

• Noise restrictions

• DJ/speaker limits

• Quiet hours
  Because no one wants their reception shut down while Aunt Linda is finally getting into the groove.

5. “What time does this magical party actually end?”

The end time matters. For you. For your guests. For your DJ. And especially for that one groomsman who doesn’t understand the concept of boundaries.

6. “What’s included… and what am I Pinterest-ing into existence?”

Ask about:

• Tables, chairs, linens

• Ceremony arch options

• Lighting

• Sound system

• Décor packages

• Day-of coordination

• Access to unique venue features

Some venues provide nothing but pretty scenery. Others, like Lost Pond, try to make your life easier so you don’t show up with a U-Haul full of crates.

7. “Can my dog be the ring bearer, or will that cause chaos?”

If you're getting married in Colorado, there's at least a 60% chance your dog is in the wedding party.
So ask:

• Are pets allowed?

• Where can they be during the event?

Lost Pond is the kind of place where having your dog trot down the aisle doesn’t even make us blink.

8. “Can I bring my own vendors?”

Ask:

• Vendor freedom

• Required vendor lists

• Kitchen/bar restrictions

• Any extra fees for outside vendors

Some couples want creative freedom. Others want vendors who know the venue well. Either way, know the rules. Lost Pond allows you to bring your own vendors.

9. “Can this place hold all my favorite people… and maybe a few I had to invite?”

Capacity matters—especially at outdoor venues where layout options can vary.
Ask about:

• Ceremony capacity

• Reception capacity

• Weather backup plans (this is Colorado… it will try something)

10. “How do my guests actually get here?”

Penrose is beautiful. Rural. Peaceful. And, yes, easy to navigate if you know where you’re going.

Ask:

• Is there on-site parking?

• Is it ADA accessible?

• Are shuttles allowed?

• Is there nearby lodging in Cañon City, Florence, or Penrose?

Bonus points if you ask where guests can eat after the wedding (hello, Cañon City restaurants).

11. “Anything else I should know before I fall in love with this place?”

Good extra questions:

• Weather backup plans

• Alcohol policies

• Fire restrictions (Colorado life!)

• Candle/sparkler rules

• Security requirements

  Closing Thoughts About Choosing Lost Pond as Your Colorado Wedding Venue

  Touring wedding venues can feel overwhelming, but it’s also the moment when everything starts to feel real. When you step onto the property at Lost Pond in Penrose, surrounded by mountain views, soft breezes, and that hidden-oasis tranquility in southern Colorado, you’ll know right away whether this is the place where your story continues. Ask the questions, get the details, and trust that feeling in your gut when a venue makes you think, “Yep… this is it.”

  Your wedding is more than a day, it’s a beginning. And at Lost Pond, you’re not just booking a venue…
  You’re choosing a place where memories take root and grow.

  Citations

  • Colorado Wedding Guide — https://coloradoweddingguide.com

  • Visit Colorado Springs — https://visitcos.com

  • Royal Gorge Bridge — https://royalgorgebridge.com