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You just got engaged. Congratulations! Now comes the fun part, planning the big day. Finding your banquet / wedding facility will be one of the first things you will need to book, before anything else. Many of them tend to book up to two years in advance.
Here are some thoughts to ponder as you begin your quest for the location. What are you looking for in your reception location? Do you want upscale? elegance? Are you looking for banquet halls near water? How about a golf course? Do you need an inexpensive banquet hall for your reception? Do you want a water park for your guests? Is there a place that has meaning to you both? How many guests are you expecting to invite? Do you want to be indoors or outdoors, or perhaps you are looking for both? There are many reception facilities in every state, and the list can be daunting.
Asking yourself some key questions will help you narrow the list to a manageable number before interviewing the staff.
Outdoor Considerations
What season is your reception taking place in? If it's going to be in the Spring, Summer, or Fall, are you looking for facilities with a patio, or an outdoor area for the ceremony or reception? Are there discounts available during certain parts of the year. Are you planning to have the reception or ceremony in a garden? Under a tent? In a Gazebo? at a park? What's most important to you? These are all considerations to think about.
What Kind Of Layout Are You Looking For?
As you work your way down the list of considerations, the layout of the room is definitely something that should not be overlooked. Some facilities make it difficult for your guests to see the head table due its shape and layout, making it difficult for things like toasts. Where is the bar in relation to the dance floor? Is the bar even in the same room as the reception, or is it out in the hallway, or in another room? Ask questions of your vendors. Find out what venues they like and why? Which facilities do they dread? If you think their might be some problems, as your other vendors, or better yet, schedule a meeting at the facility to walk through the layout with them.
Is Price A Factor in Determining Your Reception Facility?
I'm sure in this economy and day and age, that pricing is also going to be a factor as well. Make sure you know what is included in the pricing of the facility and what is not. You would be surprised, the room may be decked out to the nines, but then realize that what you are actually paying for in the price, only includes the room. The facility has a "food" minimum. Some places no matter how small your guest list is, will charge you a minimum, which could tack on hundreds, if not thousands more to your bill. What season are you getting married, some facilities charge less in the off-season, than they do during prime wedding season, typically between May and October. What day of the week are you getting married? Typically, some avenues offer discounts on Fridays and Sundays.
How Many Guests Are You Expecting?
If you do not ask any other question, make sure you ask this one. It will make or break the ability to have your reception at their facility. How many guests can the facility hold? If your guest list is 300, but you are looking at venues that only hold 100, then you have a problem. I do not recommend it, but on more than one occasion, I have performed at facilities where the bride had too many guests and they did three seating's for dinner. I think it would make your guests feel somewhat uncomfortable. Please be sure your list of venue considerations will meet the needs of your guests.
Remember to have Fun! You are starting another chapter in your life, Congratulations!
