Reception Site

knels11

We are going to see our first venue for our reception tomorrow. What are good things to ask and little things that I won't be thinking about at that moment to look for? I guess I am just looking for input from those who have already been looking around so I know what to ask and look for. Also, one more question, whatn is a good time to send out save the dates? Thanks everyone!

beka0404

My site is a little unique, so I didn't have "normal" questions, but I wish that I would have cross-checked the info email I had receieved from the site with the actual contract. My real advice is this: if you feel uneasy with any element of a contract or a site, don't feel pressured into making a deposit - get everything in writing that you can. In hindsight, I felt so pressured to pick a date, pick a site, yadda yadda yadda, that I didn't give myself enough time to think through the decision.

(I'm sure other Knotties will have better advice!)

As for STDs, I think the latest you'd want to send them out is no earlier than 12 months in advance and no later than 6 months in advance.

Good luck tomorrow! "Venue shopping" can be stressful but super exciting!

drdifabio

From what I have read STD are usually sent out 6 months in advance - if you have a popular date, a destination wedding, or a lot of OOT guests you may want to do it sooner. I personally am just impatient so we are sending outs out at the end of this month for an Oct wedding.

I have a bunch of documents I made with questions I collected for vendors - I for sure have one for a caterer and reception cite plus others. Feel free to post your email or PM me and I will send them to you!

leggwilliams

Definitely ask what all is included in their fee and if there are any hidden charges. Lots of venues will try to sneak in corkage fees, cake cutting fees, set up fees, take down fees, and rental fees for things you assumed were included and all of that can add up! Also, if you must use their caterer, what is the typical cost per plate and what is their service charge.

Qston

Make sure you look at the bathrooms. I know it's a random thing, and sounds silly, but its really something to consider. I crossed off an otherwise fabulous location at an Art Gallery because they had gross bathrooms.

Other than that, find out, if you are in charge of renting your own tables/chairs etc, what time that needs to all be out of there - is someone going to have to be there the night of the event to break it all down?

Will you need security if alcohol is served?

That's all I can think of now... there are a lot of websites I looked over before I went out looking, but its really easy to get swept up in the moment of it all, and totally forget to ask simple things.  Don't worry you can always contact them the next day with more questions!

http://hubpages.com/hub/bestquestionsforweddingvenues

knels11

Thanks ladies!

debbieupper

I focused on the things below. They may be more specific to our desires, but I hope they help!:

Indoor/Outdoor options?   
How many does it hold?   
Alcohol policy. Can you bring in your own? If not, what are their prices and, as mentioned in a pp, do they require a security guard (which you will have to pay for)?   
Outside food vendors allowed? As mentioned in PP.   
Addt'l rentals? What is included with facility rental? Will you have to pay another vendor to bring in chairs, tables, linens, glassware, china, etc etc.  
Noise policy. If you're wanting an outdoor reception, a lot of places need music to be off by 9:30, 10, or 10:30. That was too early for us, so it was an important question for us.  
Setup time. Also brought up earlier. Will you have the night before your wedding to bring stuff in? Or all-day the day of? Or just two hours prior? Also, what time do you need to be out?

knels11

Well we went and looked and it was beautiful, hard to picture with all the snow what the outside will look like but we know it will be beautiful, the only draw back that we didn't really like was that we cannot bring anything of our own besides decorations. We can't bring snacks for getting ready or anything. This was our first place we haev looked at so I am not sure if this is normal or not? Do all places have rules like this?

leggwilliams

I'd say it's fairly common, but there definitely some venues out there that have more lax requirements on what you can bring in. If that's something that's important to you and your fiance, I'd definitely suggest looking around more, especially since you have plenty of time!