Found a Wedding Venue in Lagos You Love? Check These 7 Things Before Paying
You've found a wedding venue you love. The hall is beautiful, the decoration in the pictures looks amazing, and you can already imagine how your reception will look there. You've asked for the price, and it seems reasonable.
Now you're thinking of paying a deposit before someone else books your date.
But before you do, there are a few things you should check.
1. Will the Hall Be Big Enough for Your Guests?
The venue manager tells you the hall can accommodate 500 guests. That's great, but you need to know how those 500 people will be seated.
Will there still be enough room for the stage, dance floor, decorations and caterers moving between tables to serve guests?
You know how Nigerian weddings can get. People will be dancing, spraying money, taking pictures and moving around to greet family and friends.
Ask to see pictures of previous weddings with a similar number of guests. If possible, visit when the hall is set up for an event. You'll get a better idea of the space.
2. Think About Where Your Guests Are Coming From
If your church ceremony is in Surulere and the reception is on the Island, you need to consider how long it will take everyone to get there.
Lagos traffic doesn't care that it's your wedding day.
Check the location, road access and parking arrangements. You don't want your guests spending another 30 minutes looking for somewhere to park after sitting in traffic.
Also, consider elderly guests and anyone who might have difficulty using stairs.
3. What Does the Venue Fee Cover?
Let's say one venue quotes ₦800,000 and another quotes ₦1.2 million. The first one looks cheaper, but what if you have to pay separately for generator fuel, cleaning, security and other facilities?
Before making a payment, ask for a breakdown of what's included.
Does the fee cover chairs, tables, air conditioning and electricity? What about generator fuel, security and cleaning after the event?
The Event Managers Association of Nigeria's guide to choosing an event venue (opens in a new tab) also recommends checking what's included in the price and reviewing the contract before committing.
Don't assume everything you saw during your inspection comes with the hall.
4. Can You Bring Your Own Vendors?
Imagine paying for a venue and finding out later that you can't use the decorator or caterer you've already booked.
Some venues have preferred vendors, while others charge extra if you bring yours.
Ask about this before paying.
You should also confirm when your vendors can enter the hall. Can your decorator start setting up the day before, or will they only get access on the night before your wedding?
And is there enough space for your caterers to prepare for service and organise their staff?
These details can affect how smoothly your wedding runs.
5. Please, Check the AC and Generator
Nobody wants to sit through a wedding reception in a hot hall.
Before booking, ask about the air conditioning and backup power supply. Does the venue have a working generator? Is fuel included in the fee?
Check the toilets, water supply and changing rooms too.
The Lagos State Safety Commission (opens in a new tab) oversees safety inspections and compliance for event centres in the state. It's worth asking the venue manager about their safety arrangements and relevant approvals.
If you're booking an outdoor venue, find out what happens if it rains.
Beautiful decoration won't mean much if your guests are uncomfortable throughout the reception.
6. What Happens If You Need to Change Your Date?
Sometimes plans change, even when you've prepared carefully.
Before paying a deposit, ask about the cancellation and postponement policy.
Can you move your booking to another date? Will you pay extra? Is your deposit refundable if you cancel? And what happens if the venue cancels on you?
You should also confirm the closing time, particularly if you're planning a reception with a live band or DJ. Lagos has noise-control regulations (opens in a new tab) that can affect outdoor entertainment and the use of amplified sound.
Get these terms in writing, along with your booking date, payment schedule and everything included in the agreement.
Keep your receipts and payment confirmations too. You'll be glad you have them if there's ever a misunderstanding.
7. Can You Afford the Rest of Your Wedding?
It's easy to fall in love with a venue and decide you'll figure out the other expenses later.
But remember, you still have catering, photography, decoration, outfits, makeup, entertainment and several other things to pay for.
If your wedding budget is ₦7 million and you spend ₦2 million on the hall, you'll have ₦5 million left for everything else.
Before committing, look at your full budget and decide how much you can comfortably spend on the venue.
You can use the SkillConnect Event Planner (opens in a new tab) to organise your wedding preparations and keep track of your plans, so you have a clearer picture of what still needs to be done.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I book a wedding venue in Lagos?
Start searching once you have a preferred date, estimated guest count and budget. If you're planning a December wedding or another popular date, it's worth looking early because venues can get booked months ahead.
Should I pay for a wedding venue without visiting?
It's better to inspect the venue first. Pictures may not show you the condition of the toilets, parking space or other facilities. If you can't visit, ask someone you trust to go on your behalf.
Before You Pay That Deposit...
Visit the venue, ask questions, check the facilities and make sure the cost fits your budget. You want a hall that looks good and gives your guests a comfortable experience.
Once you've sorted out your venue, you'll have other wedding arrangements to make. When it's time to find photographers, makeup artists, decorators, caterers and other professionals, you can explore wedding and event services on SkillConnect (opens in a new tab).
Your wedding day should be something you enjoy, not a day spent dealing with problems you could have avoided.
