The reception is a party where all your guests come together to celebrate your new life as a married couple. It should reflect and complement the formality of your ceremony. The selection of a reception site will depend on its availability, price, proximity to the ceremony site, and the number of people it will accommodate.
There are two basic types of reception sites. The first type charges a per person fee which includes the facility, food, tables, silverware, china, and so forth. Examples: hotels, restaurants and catered yachts. The second type charges a room rental fee and you are responsible for providing the food, beverages, linens, and possibly tables and chairs. Examples: clubs, halls, parks, museums, and private homes.
The advantage of the first type is that most everything is done for you. The disadvantage, however, is that your choices of food, china, and linen are limited. Usually you are not permitted to bring in an outside caterer and must select from a predetermined menu.
Options: Private homes, gardens, hotels, clubs, restaurants, halls, parks, museums, yachts, and wineries are some of the more popular choices for receptions.
Things To Consider: When comparing the cost of different locations, consider the rental fee, food, beverages, parking, gratuity, set-up charges and the cost of rental equipment needed such as tables, chairs, canopies, and so forth. If you are planning an outdoor reception, be sure to have a backup site in case of rain.
Beware: Some hotels are known for double booking. A bride may reserve the largest or most elegant room in a hotel for her reception, only to find out later that the hotel took the liberty to book a more profitable event in the room she had reserved and moved her reception over to a smaller or less elegant room.
Also be careful of hotels that book events too close together. You don't want your guests to wait outside while your room is being set up for the reception. And you don't want to be "forced out" before you are ready to leave because the hotel needs to arrange the room for the next reception. Get your rental hours and the name of your room in writing.
QUESTIONS TO ASK RECEPTION SITE • What is the name of the reception site?
• What is the address of the reception site?
• bull; What is the name & phone number of my contact person?
• What dates & times are available?
• What is the maximum number of guests for a seated reception?
• What is the maximum number of guests for a cocktail reception?
• What is the reception site fee?
• What is the price range for a seated lunch?
• What is the price range for a buffet lunch?
• What is the price range for a seated dinner?
• What is the price range for a buffet dinner?
• What is the corkage fee?
• What is the cake-cutting fee?
• What is the ratio of servers to guests?
• How much time will be allotted for my reception?
• What music restrictions are there, if any?
• What alcohol restrictions are there, if any?
• Are there any restrictions for rice or rose petal-tossing?
• What room and table decorations are available?
• Is a changing room available?
• Is there handicap accessibility?
• Is a dance floor included in the site fee?
• Are tables, chairs, and linens included in the site fee?
• Are outside caterers allowed?
• Are kitchen facilities available for outside caterers?
• Does the facility have full liability insurance?
• What "perks" or giveaways are offered?
• How many parking spaces are available for my wedding party?
• How many parking spaces are available for my guests?
• What is the cost for parking, if any?
• What is the cost for sleeping rooms, if available?
• What is the payment policy?
• What is the cancellation policy?
• Are credit cards accepted?
• What is the name of the caterer?
• What is the address of the caterer?
• What is the name & phone number of my contact person?
• How many years have you been in business?
• What percentage of your business is dedicated to wedding receptions?
• Do you have liability insurance? Are you licensed to serve alcohol?
• When is the final head-count needed?
• What is your ratio of servers to guests?
• How do your servers dress for wedding receptions?
• What is your price range for a seated lunch/ buffet lunch?
• What is your price range for a seated/buffet dinner?
• How much gratuity is expected?
• What is your labor fee per employee?
• What is your cake-cutting fee?
• What is your bartending fee?
• What is your fee to clean-up after the reception?
• What is your payment/cancellation policy?
• Do you accept credit cards?
By Alex A. Lluch, author of over three million books sold and President of
Weddingsolutions.com,
WedReviews.com, and
UltimateGiftRegistry.com.
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