13 questions to ask before booking
a Nairobi venue

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Venue contracts look simple until they don't. These are the questions most couples forget to ask — expanded to cover the practical details that can quietly ruin an otherwise well-planned day — and why the answers matter more than the photos on the venue's Instagram page.

Most couples choose a venue based on how it looks in photographs. That is understandable — the visual experience matters. But a venue that photographs beautifully can still produce a logistical nightmare if you haven't asked the right questions before signing.

Here are the ten questions I ask on behalf of every couple I work with before any deposit changes hands.

The questions

• What does exclusive use actually mean here? Some venues will run multiple events on the same day. Understand exactly what you are and are not sharing — car parks, kitchens, entrances, and staff.
• What is included in the hire fee — and what isn't? Tables, chairs, cutlery, linens, a generator, security, cleaning — get an itemised list. Many surprises are hidden in what the headline fee excludes.
• Do you have a preferred supplier list, and are we required to use it? Some venues mandate specific caterers or bar suppliers. This can significantly affect your budget and quality of service.
• What is your backup plan for power failure? Generator capacity, fuel supply, and how quickly the venue can switch over are critical questions — not optional ones — for any Nairobi event.
• What time can vendors access the venue for setup? If your décor team needs four hours to set up and vendor access starts at 2pm for a 4pm ceremony, you have a problem that will cost you money to solve on the day.
• What is the noise curfew? Nairobi venues in residential areas often have hard curfews — sometimes as early as 10pm. Know this before your DJ builds a set list or you negotiate with your MC.
• What is the cancellation and postponement policy? Understand exactly what you forfeit if circumstances change — and whether force majeure clauses actually protect you.
• Is the quoted capacity comfortable or maximum? A venue that "holds 200 guests" may hold 200 people standing uncomfortably. Ask for the seated dinner capacity with your specific table configuration.
• Who is our point of contact on the day — and have they worked here before? Venue staff turn over. The coordinator you met during your site visit may not be the person who is there on your wedding day.
• Can we bring in outside catering, and what are the kitchen facilities? If you want to use your own caterer, confirm what the kitchen can and cannot support — power points, prep space, fridge capacity, and access times.
• What is the parking situation — and is it enough for your guest count? A venue that holds 200 guests but parks 40 cars will leave a significant portion of your guests walking from the road or arriving late. Ask about overflow parking, attendants, and whether valet can be arranged. If your guests are largely arriving by car, this is not a minor detail.
• How many washrooms are there, and are they adequate for your numbers? This is one of the most overlooked questions in venue selection. Insufficient washroom facilities create long queues, frustrated guests, and a poor experience regardless of how beautiful everything else looks. Ask for the ratio of facilities to guest capacity, and whether there are separate facilities for the bridal party.
• Is the venue accessible for guests with disabilities and elderly guests? Check for step-free access from the car park to the ceremony and reception areas, accessible washrooms, and seating arrangements that accommodate guests who cannot stand for long periods. If you have elderly grandparents or guests using wheelchairs, walk the route yourself before booking — photographs rarely reveal the full picture.

These questions will not always produce comfortable answers. But you want to surface any problems now, not at 6pm on your wedding day when every vendor is already on site and nothing can be changed.