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Repost - Questions for reception venue.

Hi Ladies,

I am visiting my first reception venue possibility this evening and I was wondering if any of you had  a list of questions that need to be asked to the venue.  I want to make sure I am thorough in my discussions and don't want to leave anything out.  Anybody know of anything like this?  Thanks!
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Re: Repost - Questions for reception venue.

  • Ana_2985Ana_2985 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    The most important thing to me was finding out whether the venue had a minimum consumption fee/rule.  You don't want to book a venue to host a party with 50 people only to find out that the venue requires you to pay for at least 100 people anyway.

    Then there's just the basic stuff like what is included in the price, what does the venue provide (tables, chairs, decor), can you bring in your own supplies (food, alcohol, decorations).

    I'm sure I'm missing stuff because I only talked to one venue so my questions were pretty specific.  Good luck and have fun!
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  • edited December 2011
    I had (no joke) about two pages of printed questions with me, and wrote out answers on them, and it helped A LOT. Here are some of the big ones that gave us a lot of information:

    1) What is the price per person? Can components of the meal (appetizer, dessert, etc.) be taken out or substituted, and at what cost?

    2) What is the service charge and tax, and does that cover just the catering, or the entire package price?

    3) What are your bar options - open, cash, wine/beer only, etc.? Can you shorten or extend your bar hours, and at what cost?

    4) If having open bar, will they knock off part of the per person for any underage guests/guests that will not be drinking? What amount per person?

    5) Do they offer children's meals? Young adult meals? Vendor meals?

    6) Are there any decoration restrictions - open flame/candles, sparklers, confetti, rice, tape/adhesives, etc?

    7) Are linens included - what color/fabric options?

    8) What sort of AV equipment/setup available? (makes a difference on cost of DJ if you can play a CD during your cocktail hour versus having a DJ)

    9) Are there any area hotels that can offer shuttle service to/from reception? (great for room-blocking)

    10) If you're planning to DIY, do they allow DIY flowers/decorations? What time will they let you in to set up? Will they let you drop off supplies early?

    11) If you're having a cocktail hour, do they offer unlimited appetizers or a certain # pieces per person?

    12) Open bar - unlimited or certain number/cost drinks per person? (some places will stick you with a bill for overage charges on bar tabs)

    13) Extra fees - do you charge extra for a) cake cutting/serving, b) bottle uncorking, c) bartenders/wait staff?

    14) What are the time overage charges and restrictions?

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