Your Perfect Wedding Reception Venue

Looking for the perfect place to hold your wedding reception requires time and effort. To minimize your travel and reduce stress, the first place to start your search of venue is through the Internet. Some of the many locations to consider are: restaurant, hotels, private estates, banquet facilities, country clubs, community center, museums, parks, yachts and historic mansions. Most of these locations offer both indoor and outdoor reception areas. Many brides, especially those holding their receptions in moderate climate areas, choose to have their reception outdoors — to blend with their “green” wedding theme or simply because they love nature and its beautiful, natural ambiance. One word of advice for those brides who want outdoor reception, make sure that you have an alternative location for bad weather. You do not want your guests to get wet in case an unexpected rain invades your well-planned wedding reception.

Questions to ask before visiting the wedding reception venue:

Some of the tips below can be done through the email or over a phone, so you do not have to visit the venue, if it did not meet your basic expectations.

• First thing first, ask if the place is available for the date and time that you will need it for
• Ask if the available room for the reception is big enough for the number of guests you expect to attend
• Inquire as to the number of hours the venue is available to you. Ask if there is a charge for overtime.
• Ask if there is another wedding reception taking place at the same time as yours (if you want an exclusive wedding reception)
• Find out if you are required to use their own vendors or can bring your own, such as, caterer, florist, DJ’s, photographers and/or band.
• Ask what they charge for their bar and also, if you can bring your own bar. Determine which deal is better for you.
• Verify that the venue has access for disabled individuals, including parking.

Details to be aware of when visiting the wedding reception venue:

Once you have a short list of venues to choose from, it is time to do your “on-site” inspection.

• Look around the room to visually verify that the room and the dance floor are both big enough for your guests
• Examine the condition of the on-site equipment. Be prepared for the added expense of renting basic items, if necessary.
• If you are going to bring off-site equipment, make sure the room has enough electrical outlets.
• Check out the restrooms and the kitchen to make sure that they look clean and well-maintained.
• Check the parking situation. How far is it from the reception hall. Is a valet required? Can guests park their own cars?
• Check to see that all parking attendants are insured. Discuss rates and gratuities before signing the contract. Rates maybe based on the number of cars parked, the number of guests or even the hours of service.
• Ask to see the establishment’s insurance and health department certificate to insure that they are up to date.
• Obtain a contract from the venue that includes all of the pertinent information, basically what is included in the price tag.
• Be sure to check out the cancellation and refund policy.
• Write down all your questions and get the answers before making a decision.

If you are a future bride or a newly wed, we’d like to hear from you about your experiences looking for your perfect wedding reception.  Contact us at info@completelyweddings.com and we will send you a Bridal ‘N Beauty Bridal Jewelry, as our gift of thanks,  when your comment is published.

Photo: Enchanted Sea Cottage, Malibu, CA