Hiring a venue? How about creating a venue hiring checklist?

 Are you considering function venues Brisbane-wide for your next party? Luckily, you don't have to worry about sourcing these things yourself. We can provide everything in one place and take care of all the arrangements so that you can focus on enjoying your event. But just because we do this all day long doesn't mean we don't want to ensure it's done right! So here are 7 things to check before booking with us:

1. Size of the venue - is it too small or too big for your guest list?

The first thing to consider when booking a function venue is the size of your guest list, as this will determine whether or not you have enough space for everyone. The next step is to consider how many rooms are available at your chosen function venues in Brisbane and how many bathrooms they have. You'll want to make sure that there's enough room for dancing as well as serving food and drinks at the bar. Asking these questions will help you find a function venue that matches your requirements perfectly!

How many people do you expect to attend?

How many private rooms does the venue have?

Is there an outdoor area?

Do they have their own parking lot, or do they require attendees to park elsewhere (e.g., street parking)? Consider hiring valet service if necessary!

2. Capacity of the venue - how many people can it hold comfortably without feeling cramped or lost in a large space? 

The size of your event is important to consider when booking a venue, as you may not want your guests to feel crowded or overwhelmed by their surroundings. Take into account how many guests are attending and what they'll be doing at their tables during different parts of your event (e.g., talking with one another versus listening to speeches). If you're having an awards ceremony, for example, it's better if the stage isn't too big so that this type of activity doesn't become awkward for those watching from afar.

3. Layout of the venue - does it have enough spaces for different activities (dinner, dancing, speeches, etc.)?

Another thing to consider is the layout of the venue. The venue should have enough space for the number of guests you are expecting, as well as a separate space for each activity – whether it's a dinner, dancing or speeches. Also, make sure that there are enough tables and chairs available to accommodate them all comfortably, so no one feels too crowded.  

You also need to think about how many food and drink stations there will be: one per 100 guests? Or two per 50 people? It all depends on how much time your function will last and how many dishes/drinks will be needed during it.

4. Lighting and sound system - are they good quality, and will they be able to cover the entire space adequately? 

Make sure the lighting and sound system at the venue is of good quality and will be able to cover the entire space adequately.

You'll want to make sure that your guests can hear each other talk, especially if they're sitting in a big group. You also want them to be able to hear you during speeches or any other important announcements that need making on the day.

If it's a large venue with multiple rooms, then make sure there are microphones available so everyone can hear what's going on in another room if necessary - this is particularly important if there are two stages running simultaneously!

5. Accessibility - is the venue easy to get to both by car and public transport, and is there parking available on site?

If you're hiring a function venue that's going to be in a rural area, it's important to make sure that there are actually ways of getting there. How easily will people be able to travel there? Is there an accessible train station nearby? If so, what time does it run until (if not all night)? 

Think also about how far away from home guests might live. Are they likely to have problems getting back home late at night after drinking alcohol at your event? If so, then make sure they can afford taxis; offer them discounts for booking ahead if necessary; explain how easy it would be for everyone else in their group who does want/need transport home after spending time with them at yours instead!

6. Food and drink options: Does the venue have a kitchen on-site that you can use? And what about drinks? 

This is a big one. It's easy to forget that you need to make sure the venue has a kitchen on-site where you can prepare food and that they have staff to do this. If they don't, then how are you going to cater for your guests? And without a bar (or with one but no staff), how will your guests get drinks?

7. Check about where rubbish should be disposed of and whether or not the venue recycles.

One of the most important things to consider when hiring a function venue is rubbish disposal. Before you make a booking, check with the venue about where their bins are located and what they do with the waste that's collected from them. Many venues will allow you to place your own rubbish in their containers outside of trading hours, but some require all waste to be taken away by staff after hours or on weekends. If you want your guests to be able to make use of recycling facilities at any point during your event, ask if they have access to these before booking.

If composting is important for your event - perhaps because it's running alongside an environmental awareness initiative - then ask if this can be facilitated by staff at the venue.

Conclusion

If you're looking to book a function venue Brisbane-wide, then we've got you covered. Our checklist will help you find the perfect place for your event. This includes everything from size to accessibility and lighting. Once you have checked off all the boxes (and double-checked them), then it's time to start planning your event!