The site visit (in Italian, sopralluogo) is the visit to the venue made together with the caterer, and the wedding planner or agency if there is one. It is for seeing what does not show on paper: where to unload, how far it is from van to kitchen, whether there is enough power, where the field kitchen goes, where to move for plan B.
It is essential when the caterer does not know the space, with outside catering, in a historic palazzo with difficult access or at a villa with gravel roads and distant parking. Do it at the time of day of the event: midday shade is not sunset shade.
What to ask
Ask whether the caterer does a site visit before the quote and whether it has already worked at that venue. Bring the floor plan, the number of guests and the venue's rules. The checks to make are in the guides on how to choose a banqueting company and on the villa wedding.
