Photos lie a little. Not on purpose, but a wide-angle lens makes every room look twice its size, and nobody photographs the loading door or the one flickering light by the bar.

So if you’re planning a wedding, a launch party or a big family dinner, go see the room yourself. Here’s what I’d look at while I’m there.

Stand where your guests will stand. Walk in the way they would. Where do they park, or get dropped off? Is the entrance obvious? Is there a step at the door that’s awkward for someone with a stroller or a cane? You’ll spot this in thirty seconds on site and never in a gallery.

Clap your hands. Seriously. Hard floors and high ceilings bounce sound around, and a room that echoes turns every speech into mush. Ask whether you can bring your own sound equipment or whether something is provided.

Ask about the clock. Many people get caught on this one. How long do you actually have the room? Does that include setup and teardown? If your florist needs two hours and the caterer needs one, you want to know before you’ve promised guests a 6 p.m. start.

Count the plugs and the loos. Boring, but they matter. Check for power where your DJ or projector would sit, and look at how many washrooms there are compared with your guest list. A queue of forty people is not a memorable moment.

Find out who else is involved. Some places have preferred caterers or require certain suppliers. Others let you bring your own. Ask what’s included in the price and what’s extra, and get the answer in writing.

Picture the bad-weather version. If part of your plan is outdoors, ask what happens if it rains. Having a backup you’ve already seen beats a panicked phone call the morning of.

Take your own photos and notes. Shoot the corners, the exits, the spot where the coat check could go. A week later, you’ll have forgotten half of it.

If you’re comparing a few options in the city and want to see what a range of spaces for gatherings looks like, that page is a good place to start browsing.

Trust your gut a little, too. If the room feels right when it’s empty, it’ll feel even better full.