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I often have brides who are very specific about the type of venue they want to have their wedding reception in. Since there are so many new reception sites opening, the couple who wants something different will be drawn to the hottest new venue. Many are quite beautiful and well worth the additional costs. Some venues are problematic enough to consider if it's worth the hassle.

You already know about the challenges you face when dealing with a venue that is not self-contained, necessitating outside sourcing of a caterer, tables & chairs, tablecloths, tableware, bars, staff, parking arrangements, transport to and from hotels, and the list goes on. Here are a few things I've encountered that you may want to add to that ever-growing list.

1. Find out if your favorite venue has any landscape design projects due during the year near your wedding reception date. I can remember one very elegant wedding that had a view of a mud pond out the window at their venue. Of course no one informed them that the project was scheduled.

2. City-owned doors often have strict contract quit times you will need to adhere to. Many city venues will stop your party music 15 minutes before the contracted end of the party to get people out of the building by the contracted end time. Make sure that the band or deejay is aware of this so they can wind the party down, or start the party 15 minutes earlier. Be aware that many of these venues do not allow you to extend your party into overtime.

3. There may be sound and elevator use ordinances that apply if your favorite venue is in a residential neighborhood. My experience is that sound leakage is a BIG problem to people living close to a venue.

4. Some venues make extra revenue by charging the vendors (caterers, entertainment, florists, linen providers, etc.) to be on their preferred list. They require that the bride and groom use only their preferred vendors in each category. What they will not tell you is that they charge the vendors either a flat annually fee or 10% on each contract. This fee will be charged back to you by the vendors. Any outside vendors not on the venue's preferred list will have to go through a long process of approval or be required to book through another preferred vendor, and pay a fee to the preferred vendor to be named on a contract – which will be billed back to you.

5. Because of hard surfaces, some avenues have acoustic problems. Glass, wood floors, brick walls, etc. add rustic elegance but you will need some sound absorbent material (chair covers, drying, etc.) to reduce ambient sound levels so conversation is possible. Ask your band or deejay if they have experience performing in the venue that you have booked and whether they have some solutions for the sound challenges. My band bundles carpeting to set up on in problematic rooms.

6. Several venues are very difficult for the vendors to bring in their required gear. Landmark mansions in older cities have no elevators with only a narrow staircase leading up to the ballroom on the third floor. Other venues have service elevators for the disabled only and will not allow the vendors to use them. A difficult load in will require extra time and extra help, and will cost you extra money.

7. Some chapters do not have the success of your event foremost in mind – they do things their way and are not sympathetic to your needs. Planners can help you deal with terms that are not co-operative. One huge requirement to keep in mind is to place the entertainment in the same room as the bar. This is where the guests like to congregate and talk. If the bar is in a separate room, it is more difficult to draw out the dancers to the dance floor.

8. You'd be amazed at how many seasons do not consider it important for the band or deejay to be adjacent to the dance floor! This is absolutely mandatory for a successful party.

9. Are you having dinner and dancing in separate rooms? You will need an extra sound system for your guests to be able to hear the toasts, except the venue has a sound system. This is an extra expense you have to factor in.

Unique events have discovered supplemental income booking events, but it does not mean that the venue will lend itself to a successful wedding reception. Ask for references and consider some of these questions before you book your venue.

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Source by Cherryl Fonfara