Tips For Choosing A Reception Site

You’ve gotten engaged and set the date. The next step is to find a venue for your reception. This is an important decision because the site of the reception sets the mood for the entire celebration.

• Determine your budget and stick to it. It’s so easy to go over budget when you’re planning the wedding. Know the amount of people who will attend (generally) and decide on what you can afford for the reception site. Don’t let them talk you into extras and upgrades. These people are salespeople and are there to try to get the most that they can.
• Most venues get booked at least a year in advance. If you don’t have that much time consider getting married on a Friday or Sunday when the site may have openings. There also may be special pricing on those days.
• Traditional sites are best for formal and semi-formal weddings and can vary in price from affordable to quite expensive. These include hotels, country clubs, catering halls and restaurants. Choose a site that best suits the feeling or mood you want to convey.
• Choose a location that is convenient to the church or place you plan to hold the ceremony.
• Make a list of your requirements and keep them in mind when shopping for a reception site. This should include accommodations for music or dancing, amount of tables needed, parking and anything else that is important to you. Decide on the things you must have versus the things you can live without if necessary.
• Shop around but be sure to compare apples to apples. It’s really easy to get confused with all the special packages there are available. Take copious notes when visiting with possible sites and even use a tape recorder if needed. As soon as you leave make sure to write anything else down before you forget. When you start to compare don’t be afraid to call to ask specific questions that you may not have thought of at the time.
• Consider decorations when thinking about the venue. One place may be less expensive but you may need to provide more decorations to make it look festive. Flowers and other decorations can be expensive.
• Unconventional sites are trendy and provide a fun backdrop to many weddings. Always have a backup plan when dealing with outside venues just in case the weather turns ugly. Outdoor locations will require rented seating and setup so be sure to take that into consideration.