5 Things You Should Absolutely Do Before Touring a Wedding Venue This Engagement Season
- Dell-Lea Weddings & Events
- Nov 22, 2025
- 5 min read
Planning your dream New Hampshire wedding? Here's your essential guide from the team at Dell-Lea Weddings and Events in Chichester, NH.
Congratulations on your engagement! As you begin your wedding planning journey here in New Hampshire, one of the most exciting (and important) decisions you'll make is choosing your wedding venue. At Dell-Lea Weddings and Events, we've helped hundreds of couples navigate this process, and we've learned that the most successful venue tours happen when couples come prepared.
Before you schedule tours at wedding venues, here are five essential steps that will help you make the most of your visits and find the perfect setting for your special day.
1. Set Your Wedding Budget and Guest Count
Before visiting any wedding venue, take time to establish a realistic wedding budget and create your preliminary guest list. This is the foundation of all your wedding planning decisions.
Why this matters: Most wedding venues, including Dell-Lea, price their packages based on headcount. Knowing whether you're planning an intimate wedding of 50 guests or a grand celebration of 200+ will immediately help you identify which venues can accommodate your vision. Your venue typically accounts for 40-50% of your total wedding budget, so understanding these numbers upfront prevents falling in love with a space that doesn't fit your financial reality.
Pro tip from Toutou: "We always encourage couples to be honest about their guest count from the start. It's much easier to plan when you know your numbers, and it helps us create a wedding package that truly works for you – no surprises down the road."
2. Choose Your Wedding Date or Preferred Season
While you don't need an exact date confirmed before touring venues, knowing your preferred wedding season and day of the week will significantly streamline your search.
Consider these factors:
Season: New Hampshire offers stunning backdrops year-round. Spring and summer weddings showcase our lush gardens and outdoor ceremony spaces, while fall foliage creates breathtaking natural decor. Each season has its own unique charm.
Day of the week: Saturday weddings are most popular, but Friday and Sunday weddings often come with better availability and pricing. At Dell-Lea, we love our Friday weddings because couples can set up and rehearse on Thursday, making the wedding day itself much more relaxed.
Booking timeline: Popular New Hampshire wedding venues book 12-18 months in advance, especially for peak season dates (June through October). If you're planning a wedding within 6-12 months, having date flexibility will open up more options.
David's insight: "Our property looks magical in every season. We maintain the grounds year-round so whether you're dreaming of a summer garden ceremony or a colorful late fall, Dell-Lea is ready to host your vision."
3. Define Your Wedding Style and Vision
Before touring any venue, spend time on Pinterest, Instagram, and wedding blogs to identify your dream wedding aesthetic. Understanding your style will help you recognize the right venue when you see it.
Ask yourselves:
Are you envisioning a rustic barn wedding with string lights and natural wood accents?
Do you prefer elegant, romantic vibes with soft lighting and classic details?
Is an outdoor garden ceremony with a covered reception space your dream?
Do you want a venue with rustic elegance where you don't need extensive decorating?
Why Dell-Lea works for many styles: Our venue features rustic elegance with original barn beams, refined touches, and both indoor and outdoor spaces. Many couples tell us they chose Dell-Lea because the property is naturally beautiful – they could focus on personal touches rather than transforming a blank slate.
Toutou's advice: "When couples tour Dell-Lea, I always ask them to close their eyes and imagine their wedding day. If they can see themselves exchanging vows here and celebrating with their loved ones in our spaces, that's when you know it's the right fit. The venue should feel like 'you' from the moment you arrive."
4. Research New Hampshire Wedding Venues and Create Your Shortlist
Don't tour every venue in New Hampshire! Create a focused shortlist of 3-5 wedding venues based on thorough online research.
What to look for:
Real wedding photos and reviews: Look beyond staged photos. Real wedding galleries show how the venue looks with actual celebrations, and reviews from past couples reveal the true experience.
Location and accessibility: Consider travel time for you and your guests. Dell-Lea's Chichester location offers easy access from Concord, Manchester, and the Lakes Region, half an hour from our Manchester Airport and 90 mins from Boston with beautiful countryside views without being too remote.
What's included: Some venues offer all-inclusive wedding packages while others require you to bring in every vendor. Understanding what's included helps you compare apples to apples.
Capacity and layout: Make sure the venue can comfortably accommodate your guest count for both ceremony and reception. Remember overall standing room capacity is different from a wedding layout capacity.
What makes Dell-Lea special:
Experienced on-site wedding coordination with our seasoned coordinators.
Property maintained with care by our team of landscapers
In-house catering with a chef who creates memorable wedding menus
Both indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception spaces
Rustic elegance that needs minimal decorating
Rehearsal and setup time included
Caring, attentive service staff who make guests feel special
5. Prepare Your Wedding Venue Questions
Walking into a venue tour with a prepared list of questions ensures you gather all the information needed to make an informed decision.
Essential questions to ask at every venue tour:
Logistics & Capacity:
What's your maximum guest capacity for ceremony and reception?
What's included in your wedding packages (tables, chairs, linens, place settings)?
Do you have a bridal suite for getting ready?
What time can we access the venue on our wedding day?
When does the venue rental end?
Coordination & Planning:
Is there an experienced day-of coordinator included?
How many meetings do we have during the planning process?
Do you provide a detailed timeline for the wedding day?
Catering & Bar:
Do you have in-house catering or a preferred vendor list?
What bar packages do you offer?
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions and food allergies?
Ceremony & Backup Plans:
Can we host both ceremony and reception at your venue?
What's the backup plan for outdoor weddings if weather doesn't cooperate?
Are there restrictions on ceremony music or readings?
Vendor & Setup:
Can we bring our own vendors (photographer, DJ, florist)?
Are there preferred vendor lists or requirements?
When can vendors access the space for setup?
Is there rehearsal time included?
At Dell-Lea, we're an open book: We want you to ask every question on your mind. Our goal is to ensure you feel completely confident and excited about choosing us as your wedding venue.
Ready to Tour Dell-Lea Weddings and Events?
Now that you're prepared, we'd love to welcome you to our Chichester, NH property! Dell-Lea offers the perfect blend of rustic New Hampshire charm and elegant sophistication – a true slice of heaven on earth where you can create unforgettable wedding memories.
What to expect during your Dell-Lea tour:
A personal walkthrough with our team
Stories about our property's history and unique features
A chance to see both our indoor and outdoor spaces
Discussion of available wedding dates and package options
Answers to all your questions (we encourage you to bring your list!)
No pressure – just honest conversation about whether Dell-Lea is the right fit for your celebration
Our couples consistently tell us that what sets Dell-Lea apart is the care, attention, and genuine warmth we bring to every wedding. From your first tour to picking up your decor the day after your wedding, we're with you every step of the way.
Contact Dell-Lea Weddings and Events:
Chichester, NH
603-435-8479
Follow us on Instagram for real wedding inspiration, behind-the-scenes glimpses of our property through the seasons, and planning tips!
