Venue Tours or Emailing

I would definitely tour all four venues (if they're all in your budget and can hold at least the number of guests you plan to invite). Spaces often look differently in pictures than they do in person. When I was looking for a venue, the one I liked best before we toured them (based on photos they had online) ended up becoming the one I liked least after touring them. Bring your list of questions with you to the tour, and then once you've toured all four, sit down with your fiance and compare them all.

If possible, you should absolutely see every venue you are considering in person. We went on 5 venue tours before booking our venue, and there were several that looked way better in pictures online than they did in person and several that looked better in person than in pictures. Venues know that not everyone walking through the door is going to ultimately book with them.

Before touring, I would email to ensure they can actually accommodate what you are looking for (budget, guest count, etc) to make sure they’re definitely in the running. But if all are— absolutely see them all ! The only way you’d be wasting anyone’s time is if you got there and realized there was NO way they could host your wedding (example, they can only hold 100 guests and you’re inviting 250). Otherwise they’re worth checking out, even if you don’t go with them! You need to see and compare spaces before you can fully assess which venue is going to be perfect for you— it’s just part of the process. There are many little details that you won’t even know you care about them until you see them (where the parking lot is for example) including just how you feel in the space and how you vibe with the staff. It’s all strictly business and venue’s doing tours is the only way to get business , so it’s always worth their time! Even if you go a different way, someone else will choose them. It’s all part of the process and the business they are in!