You've fallen in love with the photos. The venue looks like a dream. But before you sign anything, there are questions you need to ask — questions most couples don't think to ask until it's too late. These aren't pulled from a generic wedding checklist. They come directly from Puerto Rico wedding industry professionals who have seen what goes wrong when couples skip the fine print.
1. In the Event of a Hurricane or Natural Emergency, What Is Your Backup Plan?
Puerto Rico is in the Caribbean. Hurricanes happen. Power outages happen. This isn't a reason to avoid the island — it's a reason to ask the hard question upfront. A reputable venue will have a clear, documented plan for what happens if flights to the island are cancelled due to a national emergency and guests cannot arrive. Can you switch dates? Is there a rebooking policy? Do you lose your deposit, or does it roll over? What about partial attendance — if only half your guests make it, how does the venue adjust?
⚠If a venue cannot clearly answer this question, that alone is a red flag. The best venues in Puerto Rico have weathered storms — literally — and have ironclad contingency plans because of it.
2. Who Is My 24/7 Point of Contact?
You are planning a wedding from thousands of miles away, in a different time zone, on an island with its own infrastructure challenges. You need a dedicated human being — not a general inbox — who is reachable around the clock during your wedding weekend. Every reputable all-inclusive venue in Puerto Rico should assign you a primary point of contact who knows your event inside and out. If the venue hesitates on this, or tells you to 'just email the front desk,' think carefully about whether this is the level of care you want on the most important day of your life.
✦Ask specifically: 'If something goes wrong at 11 PM the night before my wedding, who do I call and will they pick up?' The answer should be immediate and confident.
3. Are There Any Hidden Fees?
This is where 'all-inclusive' gets complicated. Some venues advertise all-inclusive packages that are really base prices with a long list of add-ons: service charges, generator fees, overtime fees, setup fees, cleanup fees, cake cutting fees, corkage fees, linen upgrade fees. Ask the venue to provide a complete, line-by-line breakdown of everything included and everything that costs extra. Then ask: 'Is there anything not on this list that I might be charged for?' Get it in writing.
4. What Is NOT Included — and Why?
This is different from hidden fees. This is about understanding the venue's philosophy. Some venues, for example, do not cut the cake for the couple — that must be done by the wedding party. Some don't include photography, or they include it for only two hours. Some don't include an officiant. Some include décor but it's the same décor they use for every event. Knowing what's excluded tells you as much about a venue as knowing what's included. And the 'why' matters — if a venue excludes something because they believe you deserve a specialist in that area, that's a thoughtful answer. If they exclude it to pad the bill, that's a different story.
5. What Makes Your Venue Unique Compared to Others on the Island?
This question does two things. First, it reveals whether the venue has a genuine identity or is just another pretty space. Second, it shows you how well the team knows their own value proposition. A strong venue will answer this question with passion and specificity — not marketing fluff. Listen for details about the setting, the experience they create, the things that can only happen there. If the answer could apply to any venue anywhere, you're not getting the full story.
6. Do You Have an On-Site Maintenance Person?
This is a Puerto Rico-specific question that mainland couples rarely think to ask. The island's infrastructure — while beautiful — has quirks. Generators sometimes need attention. Sound systems need troubleshooting. A string light goes out. A pipe needs a quick fix. A venue with an on-site maintenance person (or someone on call within minutes) can handle these things invisibly. A venue without one will leave you watching the problem unfold during your reception.
◈In Puerto Rico, small infrastructure issues are not rare — they are routine. The question isn't whether something will need fixing. The question is whether someone is ready to fix it before you even notice.
7. What Is the Backup Plan if City Water Goes Out?
City water outages happen in Puerto Rico. They are not emergencies — they are part of life on the island. But they affect bathrooms, kitchens, and cleanup. A professional venue will have water reserves, a cistern, a backup pump system, or rainwater collection infrastructure. If the venue's answer is 'that's never happened to us,' they either haven't been operating long enough or they're not being honest. The right answer involves a specific, practiced plan.
8. What Does Your Rain Plan Look Like?
Puerto Rico is a tropical island. Rain can arrive with ten minutes' notice, especially in the mountains. A strong venue will have a dedicated covered backup space that is just as beautiful as the primary ceremony location — not a tent thrown up as an afterthought. Ask to see photos of the rain plan setup. Ask if they provide clear umbrellas for guests. Ask whether the backup space can accommodate your full guest count with the same level of comfort and aesthetics. The best venues treat the rain plan as a design feature, not a compromise.
9. Can I See a Full Sample Contract Before I Commit?
Never commit to a venue without reading the contract first. In Puerto Rico, contracts may be written in English or Spanish depending on the vendor's preference. If the contract is in English, that's perfectly fine. If the vendor writes it in Spanish, they should provide a paragraph-by-paragraph English translation so you understand every clause. Look for: cancellation policies, force majeure clauses, payment schedules, what happens if the venue changes ownership, and exactly what is delivered for your investment.
⚠A venue that is proud of their contract will share it readily. A venue that avoids sharing it until after you've paid a deposit is telling you something.
10. How Do You Handle Tipping?
At an all-inclusive venue, tipping is often misunderstood by mainland couples. The venue team — which may include the coordinator, florist, officiant, chef, bartender, waitstaff, DJ, photographer, setup crew, and cleanup crew — is providing an extraordinary level of service. The industry standard in Puerto Rico is to tip 20–30% of the total venue package for outstanding service, and the venue distributes that to all the vendors they are responsible for tipping, including vendors the couple may never even see. Ask the venue directly how tipping works, who it goes to, and what the expected range is. Not tipping the all-inclusive venue team is no longer considered acceptable in the industry.
The Bonus Question: How Do I Contact You?
Many Puerto Rico venues — especially established ones — have been heavily targeted by spam accounts and scam artists on platforms like WeddingWire and The Knot. Fake inquiries, date-blocking schemes, and wire fraud have become so prevalent that many venues no longer reply to messages directly on those platforms. Instead, they'll direct you to their preferred communication method, which may include an application or inquiry form on their own website. This is not the venue being difficult — it is the venue protecting both themselves and you. Follow their instructions. It's the first step in showing that you're a respectful, serious client.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The most important questions to ask a Puerto Rico wedding venue include: What is the backup plan for hurricanes or natural emergencies? Who is my 24/7 point of contact? Are there hidden fees? What is NOT included? Do you have on-site maintenance? What is the plan if city water goes out? What does the rain plan look like? Can I see a full contract before committing? And how does tipping work at an all-inclusive venue?
Reputable Puerto Rico wedding venues should have documented contingency plans for hurricanes and natural emergencies. These typically include date-change policies, deposit rollover options, and plans for partial guest attendance. If a venue cannot clearly explain their emergency plan, consider it a red flag.
All-inclusive means different things at different venues. Some truly include everything — officiant, photography, catering, décor, coordination, and more — while others use 'all-inclusive' loosely with many add-on fees. Always request a line-by-line breakdown of what is and isn't included before booking.
The industry standard in Puerto Rico is to tip 20–30% of the total venue package for outstanding service. The venue distributes the tip to all vendors they are responsible for, including those the couple may never see. Ask the venue directly how their tipping structure works.