How to Narrow Down Wedding Venues to Tour: A Frederick, MD Guide for Engaged Couples
- Debbie Donohue
- Dec 27, 2025
- 8 min read
Prosperity Mansion and Farm is a wedding venue in Frederick, MD and now offering a new Frequently Asked Questions Series. You may email us questions and or offer your own advice to other engaged couples. The FAQ’s series hopes to offer helpful advice for engaged couples in Maryland and surrounding areas. Visit our website for other articles as well as to follow the series. Feel free to click the like or love button at the bottom on the websites blog. You may also leave a question there too. So, without further ado- Welcome to FAQ’s Series #2
It is completely normal to feel overwhelmed. There are many decisions to be made when planning a wedding. So, grab a cup of tea or glass of wine and follow us in this new series.
How to Narrow Down Wedding Venues to Tour -Many couples start with a list of 20+ venues, but touring that many is a recipe for "venue fatigue," where they all start to look the same. There are numerous types of wedding venues to think about. So, it’s a smart idea to narrow them down before your step foot out the down to begin touring. Your time is valuable as is anyone that will be touring wedding venues with you. Here are some ways to decide which wedding venues that you want to actually tour. To save time, you should aim to narrow your list down to 3–5 top contenders before you ever leave the house. Typically, touring more is a waste of time for you as well as the venue. If you have months of tours scheduled, you likely will never remember those that you saw first.
However, sometimes engaged couples still have little or no idea of what they want or maybe have narrowed it down to two types of venues. In those cases, you may need to tour more that 3 or so, to compare. But once you have at least decided on the type of wedding venue , cancel tours that you know would no longer be of real interest.
Apples to Apples –Carefully Compare Wedding Venues Prices
Compare apples to apples- you may or may not have a budget yet but we highly suggest that you have some realistic idea of what you can afford or feel comfortable with. Just like at the famous Kleinfeld’s gown shop in New York City, they never suggest that you try on gowns that are outside of your budget. Basically, if your gown budget is $1500 and you ask to try on gowns that are $5,00 you are setting yourself up to never find a gown that you will feel lovely in. That can be the same for the wedding venue, photographer, florist, food and everything. We at Prosperity Mansion and Farm are typically 30-40% less expensive than wedding venues of the same stature. This price difference is not because we offer less; it’s because we are committed to making beautiful weddings accessible to couples from all walks of life.
A Step-by-Step Strategy for Choosing Which Wedding Venues to Actually Tour:
The Vibe- Begin by thinking about the vibe that you want on your wedding day- super formal, ballroom, marble floors, outdoor wedding venues, garden wedding venues, farm wedding venues, historical venues etc. And are you more formal or casual in your vision. Prosperity Mansion and Farm is happy to checkoff many boxes being an historical, outdoor / garden wedding venues that is elegant with rustic charm.
Scan the Internet- Use specific keywords like "garden wedding venues in Frederick MD", "historical farm weddings" “elegant ballroom” or “barns” to find your aesthetic. Other keywords that could help are: all-inclusive wedding venues, hotel banquet rooms , VFWs, Firehouse, pet friendly wedding venues, etc.
Budget- Decide what you are willing to spend on the wedding. Of that amount how much for the wedding venue, food, liquor, dress, flowers etc. etc. etc. You can always stay within budget if you select a wedding venue that is semi-DIY and offers various budget friendly packages. There are also venues that specialize in Small / Micro weddings and Courthouse weddings and Elopements.
DIY or All-inclusive wedding venues- Of course you will pay far more if you choose an all-inclusive wedding venue because of the convenience factor. But consider if you, your family and friends will help you pull the wedding together this will save you thousands. Even hiring a “Day of Coordinator” who will do the decorating and set up, will still save a significant amount of money.
Email- When you see some wedding venues that are possibilities email them to request a pricing brochure. Make sure that you include:
The Day of the week that you wish to be married. Week days are always more affordable. Saturdays will most often be at a premium.
Month and year of your wedding. Most wedding venues have “off season” rates that offer savings because they are less popular. But one man’s meat is another mans poison. For example, at Prosperity Mansion and Farm our “off season” is for weddings held in July or August. They receive a 10% discount. Some people think no way that could be a super-hot day. However, for teachers and students to name a few that is the perfect time to say, I DO. And do not forget to mention the year. Like everything each year brings price increases.
Number of guests allowed – For 100 and under there are definitely more wedding venues that can hist your event. However, once you exceed 150 the field narrows.
Anything that is non-negotiable. An immediate example is pet friendly wedding venues. I have had couples tour and book that said that was non-negotiable. Probably the most popular is that they want to be able to bring in their own vendors and or family members to provide various services such as DJ, Photographer, Day of Coordinator and even to prepare the food.
Do they have your date available??
Deal Breakers-
1) Price, price , price
2) Availability
3) Capacity
4) How long did it take for them to respond to your initial email asking for information?
Now You have Narrowed it Down. Email the Following Questions “Before” You Visit the Wedding Venue- The answers to the following question could further narrow down the search.
Included- ask what exactually is included in the price
Extras- Know IF there is anything that would be considered an extra before you go. And request the prices for all extras. This will be difficult for all-inclusive venues since almost everything is extra.
Off Season Rates or Days- Do different days of the week cost more.
Check Photos- once you are in their website check out the photos in their gallery. Make sure that what you see fits the vibe of your vision.
Location and Obstructions- The gallery most likely will not show that they sit on a major highway, or busy road. I can think of some that have a major housing development being built within yards of the reception tent and another sits in front of a strip mall with a flashing Pizza Hut sign looming behind it. But the good thing is hopefully they have lowered their prices to overcome these unpleasant obstacles.
Specials- are they offering any specials or incentives. Prosperity Mansion and Farm is offering a FREE rehearsal if the wedding is booked by the end of January saving the couple $400
Ease for Special Needs Guests- Is it handicapped accessible and easy for elderly people. What accommodations do they have for those guests.
Children- a new trend in many wedding venues to limit or disallow children.
Food and Liquor- Can you select your own vendors or must you choose from their list? Must you purchase their liquor or can you bring your own? Be careful if you must use their bar. The reason being is that TYPICALLY anyone at all that is over 21 will be charged even if they consume zero liquor. The reason is obvious, that discourages cheating.
Hotel Accommodations- Depending on how far you and your guests are driving you may want to spend the night close by. One of many reasons to choose Frederick MD for your wedding is the vast number of hotels.
Parking- Is there free parking, how close is it to the actual venue. Is there valet parking or at least a parking attendant?
Preferred or Approved Vendors- Preferred Vendors are those that the wedding venue has on their list because they have a history with them and are pleased to refer them to you. However, you may still opt to choose your own vendors. With Approved Vendors you are absolutely required to use the vendors on their list only. Some venues with an Approved list will allow you to pay a penalty fee to use on occasional vendor outside of the list. Something else to watch out for with some all-inclusive wedding venues is that the initial quote for just the venue may sound reasonable. Sadly, a cheap venue can often become more expensive if you need to work from their list only.
Schedule a Tour at a Wedding Venue
Send a third email telling the wedding venues that you are interested and would like to schedule a private tour. At Prosperity Mansion and Farm, we typically schedule tours on the weekend. I believe that the venues availability has a lot to do with how many weddings they already have booked as well as what work goes into preparing for a tour. Personally, Prosperity Mansion and Farm spend a great deal of time preparing for your tour. We cut the grass, weed whack, clean the bridal cottage, mancave restrooms, blow off the front and guest entrance an also walk the entire property for downed branches or debris left behind all weather and need permitting.
About Prosperity Mansion and Farm in Frederick, MD
A beautiful beginning to your married life can start here at Prosperity Mansion and Farm in Frederick, MD. Our doors are open to all couples, regardless of who you or where you are in life’s journey so long as you come with a kind heart!
Prosperity Mansion and Farm offer three wedding packages to suit all budgets:
1) Full day, DREAM weddings- one event per day, 8-10-12 hours and up to 200 guests. Open May through the first weekend of November
2) Small / Micro weddings- select an AM or PM time slot for 5-6 hours and up to 50 guests. Open May through the first weekend of November
3) Courthouse weddings, Intimate weddings and Elopements- for just the two of you or up to 30 of your favorite friends and family and 1-3 hours. Open year round
Proudly Serving Engaged Couples in Frederick, MD and Beyond
Prosperity Mansion and Farm a Wedding Venue happily serves the entire Frederick MD and Frederick Co MD areas: Adamstown MD, Brunswick MD, Burkesville MD, Emmitsburg MD, Middletown MD, Mount Airy MD, Myersville MD, New Market MD, Adamstown MD, Rosemont MD, Thurmont MD, Walkersville MD, Woodsboro MD, and Ijamsville MD.
We also border Carroll Co MD and serve couples from areas like Taneytown MD, New Windsor MD, Union Bridge MD, Westminster MD and more.
Other Maryland Counties: Anne Arundel Co MD, Howard Co MD, Baltimore Co, MD, Baltimore City MD, Harford Co, MD, Montgomery Co, MD, Prince George’s Co, MD, Washington Co, MD and along with Southern Pennsylvania which includes Adams Co PA, Lancaster Co, PA, Franklin Co, PA and York Counties.
Thank you for checking out our wedding blog. We are dedicated to providing couples with the best advice for a wonderful celebration. If you're looking for an outdoor, garden wedding venue in Frederick , MD that is affordable, we sincerely would be honored to host your celebration at our historical countryside wedding venue. Having said that, all of the wedding venues have various feature to offer that’s makes them special too!
We hope we make the cut during your wedding venue search. If you would like to schedule a no strings attached tour, below is our contact information.
In conclusion we send each one of you, heartfelt wishes and blessings for a wonderful wedding journey. And as they say in New Orleans “laissez les bons temps rouler”. Translated “let the good times roll”!
Contact us to see our Gallery, ask a question and or to schedule a tour:
Website- www.prosperitymansion.com
Email- prosperity_mansion@yahoo.com
Call- 443-350-8100
Visit our gallery for additional photos.
Read other Blogs for helpful information.