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Tips on Choosing a Reception
Site
Questions to Ask |
Okay, the ceremony
surely is the most important part because it bonds the union
of bride and groom forever, however the reception
is often the longest part of the day, the part where Dad may say something that
will make you cry, champagne will be served in toasts to you and the man you
love, and everyone will rejoice in the lifetime decision you've just made! Here
are a few things to think about when looking at
your reception site.
The All-Important Details
What dates does
this site have available?
Cost of
site?
Payment plan?
Deposit
required? Cost if reception runs later? Are tips extra?
How many hours
does that include? Will there be another event before or after yours that may
affect set-up and take-down time frames? What time would vendors or friends be
able to get in to decorate/set-up? Does the site provide clean-up or do
you have to hire family and friends to do this?
How much room is
there? You may need extra space for the dj/musicians, the bar, the gift
table, the head table...
Does the site
cater the meal or would you have to hire a caterer? If they have a
suggested list of caterers, do you have to choose from them or can you choose
another? If hiring caterers separately, are there kitchens for them to use?
Does the site provide a bar &
bartender or would you have to get your own? If you have to hire your own,
see
government regulations/licencing
requirements.
Are there any
packages that include site rental, servers, food and drinks? What is the
cost? Keep in mind, when packages are quoted, you are usually going to need to
know the number of guests and the type of food you could see yourself serving
for them to quote appropriately. Quotes often come by way of a 'per person'
cost: i.e. $30/person x 100 guests = $3000. Does this include server tips?
If not, how much extra for tips? What type of food selections are there?
Are there
additional fees for the alcohol? (corking fees, bartender/liquor license
fees)
If you don't want
to have a completely open bar because of the cost to the bride and groom, can
you allow two drinks to each guest and make the drink tickets yourself?
(you want to avoid the carnival style drink tickets!)
If you have older
or wheelchair-bound guests, you will need the site to have easy access
bathrooms (no stairs required) with handicapped stalls.
Check out the
bathrooms - are they clean and welcoming? You, as a bride, will have likely be
using this bathroom too. Can you imagine fitting yourself, your pouffy dress and
train into one of these stalls?
Specifics for Receptions Held at
Hotels
If your reception
site is a hotel...
Will the site
give a discount off the honeymoon suite? (some give a discount, some throw it
in for free) View the suite!
Will your
honeymoon suite be available during the day for you to go up and take a breather
between the ceremony and reception? If not, is there a room where you can rest
your feet?
If you book a
block of rooms for out of town guests, is there a group discount? (With out of
town guests, it is the responsibility of the bride and groom to have
accommodation recommendations and to try to arrange for a discounted price to
make it easier for them to attend)
What is the
check-in time required for guests? Check out time? You will need to provide
all of this information to any guests possibly using these rooms.
More
Details...
Does the site
include insurance (in case of guest injury) or do you need to get
insurance yourself?
What are the types
of tables used? How many seats per table? Do you have control over this?
Cutlery and table dιcor provided? Are table centrepieces included if you wanted
to use them?
Will the
Reception Site Wedding Coordinator be available at the time of the wedding?
If not, who will be available in case of problems, changing lighting, turning up
the a/c, etc.? Meet them!
Is a coat check
available? If not, where do guests hang coats?
What is the
parking situation? Will guests be able to park easily? Will they have to
pay?
When do you need
to decide on this site? Is there a risk of losing the site if you don't leave a
deposit today?
If you had to
cancel your booking, what policies does the site have? Do you get your deposit
and payments made back? Usually, the earlier the cancellation is made, the more
of your deposit and payments made you'll get back.
Finally, make sure
to get all quotes WITH details in writing or by way of a contract! This
will need to include details and all base charges, extra charges (for coat
check, liquor fees, etc.), tips and taxes.
If this is the first
site you've looked at but you're sure you've found the perfect one, see at least
TWO others!! Impulse-buying for your reception site is not an option! (You may
want to put a deposit if you're in a time-crunch though.) |
