Newbie questions about picking a venue

marta119

Hi Ladies,
Just got engaged on Sunday but I've been lurking here and on the website for a while.
I want to start the whole wedding planning process as soon as possible as my FI and I want a May 2013 wedding... I already feel like I'm behind.  Hopefully we will go see a few places on Friday and I wanted to see if you have any tips... what questions should I ask? what did you maybe wish you asked but didn't while you were looking at venues?  Is there any room for negotiations? Did you try negotiating or did you just worked with prices that you were given?
Just to give you an idea.... we're looking for a place in central CT for a reception site (it will be a church ceremony), 100-130 people, not looking for anything fancy, trying to plan on a budget (we'll see how well that goes).

PeachesKFG

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_newbie-questions-about-picking-a-venue?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:65Discussion:d0b5ae30-5e8c-49c4-a35f-49eb51b6e869Post:247f67bc-0184-4ee7-8d25-e221bbec1454">Newbie questions about picking a venue</a>:
[QUOTE]Hi Ladies, Just got engaged on Sunday but I've been lurking here and on the website for a while. I want to start the whole wedding planning process as soon as possible as my FI and I want a May 2013 wedding... I already feel like I'm behind.  Hopefully we will go see a few places on Friday and I wanted to see if you have any tips... what questions should I ask? what did you maybe wish you asked but didn't while you were looking at venues?  Is there any room for negotiations? Did you try negotiating or did you just worked with prices that you were given? Just to give you an idea.... we're looking for a place in central CT for a reception site (it will be a church ceremony), 100-130 people, not looking for anything fancy, trying to plan on a budget (we'll see how well that goes).
Posted by marta119[/QUOTE]

Congrats on your engagement! I don't think you are behind at all...having a solid year of planning time is plenty, as long as you are organized (and it sounds like you are already organized!) It seemed like almost everything was negotiable when I met with different venues - just about everything except the price per plate. We negotiated a discounted hotel room price, a customized menu, and a few other things. So don't be afraid to ask. No question is too far-fetched or too silly! I asked questions about every little detail. Most venues are more than happy to answer all of your crazy bridal questions (even the ones that you think are stupid!) Other than that, I would make sure you cover the basics - how many people does the venue hold, what are the price differences between Fridays/Saturdays or day/night weddings, what is included in the package, etc etc..

And one other thing that I didn't ask, but wish I did...I think you should always ask if they charge a "service fee" or "gratuity fee" on top of their price. I think it is pretty standard for most venues to charge a service fee for the day of your wedding (I believe most of it goes towards the waitstaff - for us, it covers their tips, which is nice). You'll want to ask what fees they charge on top of their regular pricing, so you know how much the total cost will be. Usually taxes and fees aren't included in the price per person, or price per plate.

Happy venue hunting!

SB1512

Any ideas of where you are looking yet?  I'm on a budget myself so if you need any ideas for good value venues let me know!  Def ask about service charges/added on gratuity,  One place we looked at added in gratuity, one place we looked at added in service charge and then "gratuity was at your discretion."  The venue where we are having our reception shows you prices with taxes already included, there is no service charge and gratuity will be extra.  Always always ask about any hidden charges!

MoonlightSilver

Congratulations! 

In terms of negotiation, it's always possible. It can't hurt to ask. While some venues are good about change prices, others will give you add-ons instead. So maybe they wont drop the price, but they'll give you extra appitizers and let you stay an hour later. So if they say they can't budge on the price, ask what else they can give you.

As far as questions, make sure there's a rain plan if it's outside. Ask who will be working with you the day of the wedding. Ask how many weddings they host at one time (some venues can have two or three at once, or one in the morning and one at night)- this information can help with set up/ take down too. 

My biggest question was how they dealt with food allergies, since my FI and his family has multiple allergies. 

Good luck! 

mcb126

Congrats! Check out Glastonbury Hills Country Club. Very reasonable prices. As far as negotiating goes, the places I looked at wouldn't negotiate on their bottom line, but most every place was flexible on substitutions and what not. Good luck with the planning and don't forget to enjoy every moment!

cronin85

Congrats on your engagement.... we are having a church wedding as well (Holy Trinity in Wallingford) and we are doing our reception at Hawk's Landing Country Club in Southington..... Most things are negotiable expect the price (unfortunately).  We have about 125 people and the venue is under $10,000... very budget friendly!  Good  Luck 

lalans

Congrats and Welcome! I was just looking for venues for that number of people, also in Central CT.  Two of the "fuller" service places will negotiate prices.  Two of the places I looked at, their base prices included 5 courses(basic ordures, Salad, Pasta, sorbet course, main course), a wedding cake, full open bar, champaign toast, standard (fake flowers in vases basically) centerpieces, and a few other extras.  The base was calculated at a per person rate and were higher then I wanted initially, but both those places would have dropped prices if you cut things out...for my type of thing, 5 courses is just too much food and my dad is agaisnt an open bar (The one parental issue I'm having so far ) so the price could have dropped quite a bit.  So bascially, that is a big set of questions...how do they price/what is included, and will they negotiate on some things if you make cuts to the standard package.  One thing I did find is that May is a big month (I'm Memorial day weekend 2013) so prices are a bit higher then if you have the wedding in March, and the venues know that especially for a Saturday night, they can probably book the venue ,so they aren't too worried...That takes away a bit from them dropping prices.  In all the places I emailed, I only found 1 booked for my date...this was about a month ago I was looking.  I also had been looking at this coming Labor day weekend, and most places had that free also...so I don't think a year is too little.  I'm actually feeling like its too much time!  Although I'm sure that will change.  

Also, head over to the May 2013 board...there is starting to be quite a lot of us.

marta119

WOW thanks so much for all your advice!
As of right now we're looking at Glastonbury HIlls, Manchester Country Club, Pavilion on Crystal Lake in Middletown and Maneeley's in South Windsor (I don't know how much they are as they don't list their prices online, but since it's right down the street from my house I figured we would look).

FutureMrsMooney2017

Welcome!!!
We were engaged March 24 and are planning for June 2013. Congrats!!!!!!

We just started looking as well. We are going for as budget-friendly as possible and are probably going to settle for the Marriott in Rocky Hill. Make sure to ask if their menu is flexible!!! The RH Marriott is, and that's probably why we're going to book there!

Happy Planning!

TheodensQueen2B

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_newbie-questions-about-picking-a-venue?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:65Discussion:d0b5ae30-5e8c-49c4-a35f-49eb51b6e869Post:2fd69267-965c-4bac-aaf2-2a01ab0801dc">Re: Newbie questions about picking a venue</a>:
[QUOTE]Welcome!!! We were engaged March 24 and are planning for June 2013. Congrats!!!!!! We just started looking as well. We are going for as budget-friendly as possible and are probably going to settle for the Marriott in Rocky Hill. Make sure to ask if their menu is flexible!!! The RH Marriott is, and that's probably why we're going to book there! Happy Planning!
Posted by nyc2ct[/QUOTE]
I've been to the Marriott at Rocky Hill so I can say it's decent.  However, there isn't much around there in terms of where to take pictures--it has a very small lobby too.  So do some research for the pics.