Spice things up with these steamy flicks.
Updated Oct 14, 2024This Is Why Wedding Venue Accessibility Matters
Everyone should be able to enjoy the celebration to the fullest.
One of the first tasks you need to complete on your wedding planning checklist is finalizing your venue. You'll have to accommodate your guest count, match your theme and, most importantly, prioritize wedding venue accessibility for any differently abled guests. But what makes a venue accessible? Rosemarie Rossetti, PhD, an accessibility consultant for weddings and events, explains: "Accessible weddings are for everyone. This doesn't only involve mobility. It's sight, hearing, cognition and more." Want to know how to make your venue and wedding accessible for yourself and/or your guests? Keep reading to see our expert tips. While the advice may not be all-encompassing, it's a great first step toward creating a celebration where all feel welcome.
Once you've taken notes on what you've learned, head over to The Knot Vendor Marketplace to book an accessible wedding space. Click on the "venue amenities" filter, then narrow down your search by selecting the "handicap accessible" filter.
In this article: How to Ask Vendors About Wedding Venue Accessibility | Are Wedding Venues ADA Compliant? | How to Ask if Guests Need Special Accommodations | Accessible Wedding Planning Tips
How to Ask Vendors About Wedding Venue Accessibility
Wondering how to ask if a venue is accessible? First, Rossetti suggests checking the vendor's website and seeing if they have an accessibility page. If your desired venue doesn't have one, then you might assume the locale has some accessibility hurdles. After doing some minor research, schedule a tour of the venue. "Ensure that the doors are easy to open or have automatic push buttons," says Rossetti. "Also, check if all the restrooms and elevators are accessible."
FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT
During your venue tour, ensure your list of questions to ask while planning your accessible wedding is at the ready, so you and the vendor are on the same page. Below are some of the different topics you can bring up to determine if your potential venue is the right one for you.
Discuss Maneuverability
It's critical that people can move about the space freely to enjoy themselves. For guests with limited mobility, such as people who'll be navigating with a wheelchair, cane or walker, the venue must be big enough for them to maneuver easily—from their seat at dinner to anywhere they wish to be while visiting with friends and family. Virginia Frischkorn, a former planner with wheelchair-wedding accessibility experience and the founder of Partytrick, says the accessible wedding planning conversation with the venue should include some questions about how the ground cover will look during your wedding, the ground's stability and how long the trek is from the ceremony site to the reception space.
Talk About Sound-Restrictioned Rooms
Typically, many parts of a wedding reception are very loud, especially if you're having a band or DJ as entertainment. While these elements can be fun, all the hustle and bustle can be overwhelming to some. Kirsten Palladino, hearing-impaired cofounder of Equally Wed, encourages to-be-weds to pay close attention to the noise levels during every phase of the event. "Ask yourself: 'How will the sounds of a band work in a room with nothing to absorb it?,'" she says. When you're wedding planning for those with autism, Palladino suggests asking the venue if they have quiet spaces that are still near the action. This allows guests to take a break from the stimulation, without being taken completely out of the fun.
Ask About On-Site Accommodations
Planning weddings for those with a chronic illness can be less stressful if there's on-site or nearby lodging. If the activities start to be too much and a guest needs to rest to avoid an illness flare-up, an on-site accommodation allows them to step away for a quick respite. Frischkorn adds: "If a wedding venue has a hotel attached, get a sense of the quantity of ADA rooms available—just having one may not be enough."
Start a Conversation About Catering
Are you in love with your venue's in-house catering menu? Well, don't scratch "find perfect venue" off your wedding venue booking checklist just yet. First, you'll need to ensure the catering staff knows the ingredients and preparation of the menu inside and out and that they can handle unique requests for guests with allergies and dietary restrictions. For example, you'll need diabetic-friendly wedding bites and meals for guests who need to keep a close eye on what they eat.
"It's one thing to put the symbols that represent vegan, dairy-free and vegetarian cuisine, but they'll need to list all the ingredients as well," says Rossetti. By having a caterer that's knowledgeable about each dish's ingredients and flexible with menu changes, guests can feel safe enjoying the food at the wedding.
Consider Venue Signage
Rossetti says all of the signs within an ADA wedding venue should be clear, placed appropriately and include braille. Whether you're doing a virtual tour or are going in person, check if staircase entryways have signs clearly pointing to accessible routes, if bathrooms have signs in braille and if there are signs with large text that let people know if valet or accessible parking is available.
Are All Wedding Venues ADA Compliant?
No, not all wedding venues are ADA compliant. According to the amended Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, commercial facilities or venues that are open to the general public during non-wedding hours, like museums, restaurants and theaters, must align with the ADA's requirements. On the other hand, places of worship and private entities that aren't open to the public, like churches and members-only clubs, don't have to follow ADA rules.
Some might wonder, "Do wedding venues have to be ADA compliant if they were built before the act's creation in 1990?" It depends. Currently, buildings built before 1990 that haven't been renovated don't have to get in line with ADA requirements until it's "readily achievable," which means "easily accomplishable and able to be carried out without much difficulty or expense." For example, a small restaurant in a pre-1990 building isn't ordered to be accessible if the owner can prove they don't have the money to make renovations at the moment.
(Psst. There's an easy way to cut down your search time. Look here to find wheelchair-accessible wedding venues and places that allow service animals.)
How to Ask if Guests Need Special Accommodations
You may be aware of any disabilities your closest loved ones and wedding party members might have, but chances are you're unfamiliar with some conditions other guests may need special accommodations for.
FOR YOU
How to Find a Couple's Wedding Website & Registry
This simple guide is a guest's best friend.
Lucky and Unlucky Wedding Dates to Keep In Mind
The ultimate guide to auspicious wedding dates in 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028.
103 Wedding Countdown Captions You Can Steal Guilt-Free
Count the days the right way.
"Chances are, especially for a medium to large wedding, there are needs you don't know about," says Fin Leary, a program manager at We Need Diverse Books and Boston-based author. Leary notes that creating communication streams where attendees feel comfortable disclosing accommodations is a must. There are a few ways you can go about this. First, add an announcement banner that lets guests know they can reach out to you about accessibility accommodations on your wedding website (which can match your wedding invitation theme on The Knot, by the way) have. Later, on the RSVP card, provide a fill-in line where loved ones can share anything important that they want you to be aware of, from allergies to mobility issues. (This is the perfect time to know the etiquette on wedding invitations with food options.) Beyond an RSVP card, set up a separate email inbox for people who might feel more comfortable voicing their concerns with more space and follow up with them so they know their concern is addressed.
Accessible Wedding Planning Tips
"When you're planning a wedding where one or more guests, vendors or either of the marriers has a known disability, you absolutely can and should work solutions into the plan. This helps everyone feel welcome and included, but it also ensures that everyone experiences your wedding the way you intend," says Palladino, who's also a floral designer and owner of Kiraflora. Let the following tips inform the plans you make to ensure all of those celebrating feel welcome.
Do Your Research
Relying on expert knowledge throughout the entire accessible wedding planning journey is a must. For instance, if you know you'll need to do some neurodivergent wedding planning, consult reputable sources to find out facts like what types of lighting is best for them and so on. And for couples who want further reading, in addition to our experts' advice, we suggest checking out disability advocate Meara Bartlett's book, Wedding Planning for Spoonies.
Remember, just because you've read this article and some books doesn't mean you know everything about someone's disability. "Accessibility comes in many forms," says Palladino. "You're not an expert in someone else's pain levels or challenges. If someone tells you they or their loved one can or cannot do something at all or well, believe them."
Book Vendors Who Care About Accessibility
Ensure that your vendors are genuinely empathetic and inclusive—this is where reading reviews from real couples comes into play. Ask vendors early about accessibility when you're deciding who to go with. For example, knowing whether or not a venue or rental company has accessible seating for all bodies can determine who you sign a contract with. Shannon Collins, a Philadelphia wedding photographer with autism, adds: "To-be-weds need not be afraid to ask potential vendors and venues about how they create more accessible experiences for marriers or if it's something they consider in their work." Collins goes on to say that couples should be mindful of how vendors approach accessibility with their online content creation: "For example, are they using video captions, alt-text, image descriptions, content warnings and avoiding ableist language?"
Consider Hiring an Accessibility Specialist
Vendor oversight is always a possibility, which means you might need to hire an expert whose sole job is to ensure your event is accessible. Rossetti says there's no such thing as an "accessibility consultant certification," but there are details you can look out for. "An accessibility consultant should have an extensive website that has proof of their work history, expertise, clients and their lived experience," she says.
Create an Accessibility Budget
When you're figuring out your wedding expenses, which The Knot Budget Advisor can help you with, you'll need to account for disability accommodations. Some of these costs might include ASL wedding interpreters, specialty transportation, custom seating and more. Rossetti wants to remind couples that requests, like a wedding wheelchair rental or ASL interpreter, aren't additions that go away before the event ends. "You don't want the person to feel alienated. For instance, a sign language translator must be booked long enough to follow the person around everywhere so they can continue to communicate with everyone," she says.
Make an Accessibility Layout
Speak with your wedding planner, venue and other vendors about where everything and everyone will be positioned. By doing so, you can map out which pathways are best for you or people with accessibility needs and, therefore, assign accessible seating for your relevant loved ones. Important note: Low-to-the-ground flower arrangements have become popular, but those decor details can quickly become tripping hazards. Work with your floral designer and wedding planner to brainstorm decor that'll impress guests without compromising maneuverability.
Communicate With Your Guests Thoroughly
Effective communication may vary from wedding to wedding depending on your needs. Text messages can be a useful communication tool for deaf guests, especially since some smartphones connect with hearing aids and computers. Blind guests, on the other hand, would benefit from braille correspondence and auditory communication. Ultimately, Collins reminds to-be-weds to not be afraid to thoughtfully ask guests directly what their needs are. "Find out what disabled guests need, rather than trying to make those decisions for them," they say.
These days it's common to provide a wedding website FAQ page with extra information for guests. Rossetti urges couples to include the following: the venue's website, the venue's accessibility page and pictures of the venue's grounds and parking. "Everything has to be spelled out for the guests so they know in advance that they'll be comfortable," she says. Beyond what you write on your wedding website, Collins says your page should also be accessible and have screen reader compatibility.
Additional reporting by Hannah Nowack.
Please note: The Knot and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical advice and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a medical professional about your specific circumstances. This information contained herein is not necessarily exhaustive, complete, accurate or up to date and we undertake no responsibility to update. In addition, we do not take responsibility for information contained in any external links, over which we have no control.
