Quick ladies...I need venue advice!

PaigeMcC · June 2010

Alright ladies, it's a little late notice, but we're going to look at a venue tonight. What do I need to ask them?

I've got room rental prices, ceremony prices and food/booze prices. That's covered and I know what I want to ask in regards to that. What else should I be asking? Help!

katanne9 · June 2010

Make sure you check out the bathrooms. We nixed some places purely because of the bathrooms.

Ask what's included. For example, water, coffee and soda were all included in the entree price.

Ask how many appetizers they recommend pp. Where is the allotted cocktail hour location?

Bar related - I wanted to make sure they wouldn't serve beer in bottle. Glasses only.

Where would the DJ be located/where is the cake table/where will the vendors be eating, etc.

What's the payment plan? How much is due when?

Hmmm, I'll try to think of more! Where are you looking?

PaigeMcC · June 2010

I never thought about the bathrooms, Kat! lol

We're looking at a hotel in town. It's on the harbour with stunning views!

Unfortunately it's hard to find a venue around here that is affordable and not a hotel. I've discovered golf courses, yacht clubs, canoe clubs, etc either are too expensive or just don't appeal to us. So We're going to stick to hotels I think. But I'm okay with it - it's a nice hotel;)

Hazel_B · June 2010

These are some random things, but I know they have come up either with a wedding or other event.

First one, depending on if you get your alcohol through them. Ask if there is a corkage fee. A friend's sister got married and they brought in their own wine plus there was a corkage fee. The hotel went ahead and opened every bottle so they got charged for all the bottles and then they only used about half of them. Also, since you are Canadian and alcohol is more expensive here than in the US. If they do have a corkage fee and you are considering making your own wine, try to find massive bottles and use carafes for wine.

Second one, if you are bringing in your own cake and they will be serving it for you ask if there is any type of cake cutting fee.

The other ladies will have much better suggestion than me. However, go through all the things you think you will have brought in to your venue and ask tons of questions so that you aren't caught offgaurd.

Hopefully something there helps, good luck and have fun with it!

tafft1 · June 2010

Ask if you can bring in your own wine , beer or soda , anything at all that will help with cost. Try to negotiate nixing the corkage fee if they have one , never hurts to try!

Find out when the cut off time is - and what overage fees are. Does everyone have to be out at midnight exactly or is there some breathing room ?

Alot of times Sunday nights will also be less expensive so if you are flexible about that or the date in general that could help with cost as well.

Will they provide food or can you bring your own caterer in ? What about your cake - can you bring your own in from another bakery or do you have to go with them ? Cake cutting fee ?

If going with outside vendors do they charge extra for that ? ( some places we were looking at charged up to 500.00 per outside vendor)

Do they provide buffet and sit down service ? ( not sure what your plans are , just throwing it out there). How many servers per table will be there ? Staffing charge for servers/bartender ?

Discounted meals for children/vendors ?

What is exactly included in rental fee ? (linens - are they floor length or will the table legs show -this was a big one for me , lol - ? , flatware, glassware , barware , ice ( some places charge extra !) , dancefloor ?

Will they allow a tasting if they do catering ? Is there an extra charge for this ? ( few places I went they did and it wasnt cheap)

When is the final count due in ?

Is there a minimum we have to meet guest and cost wise ?

Um thats all I have for now. Good luck

PaigeMcC · June 2010

This is what I have so far...thanks for the help, ladies. Anything you think I should add?

Food/Drink

What's included in price?

Non-Alcoholic drinks, included? Cost?

Info about wine for guest tables. Cost? Can we bring our own? Corkage?

Cake cutting fee?

Vendors meals? Where?

Children's meals avail? Price?

Cocktail hour is where? What's included?

When do you stop serving drinks?

Gratuity included?

Tasting? Extra cost?

Decor

What is included?

Any restrictions on decorations?

When should we bring our extra items in?

Logistics

Better rate on Sunday?

What is included with rental of room?

When do you need final numbers?

What's the payment plan? When are things due?

How long do we have the room?

Will someone be here all day to help us? Event coordinator?

Bathrooms - take a look.

Ceremony site?

Where does the DJ go? Cake table? Guest book table? etc etc etc

Parking? Cost?

Any other weddings that day?

ekathleen684 · June 2010

I"m pretty useless at advice on what to ask but what I would do is make a list or whenever you think of a question, write it down somewhere so you dont forget. I don't know how big your purse is but you could carry a little notepad to write questions or ideas when the mood strikes. Then when you get home, put them all in one notebook or place..

That's all.

PaigeMcC · June 2010

Thanks for the help ladies. I've got my notepad and my questions ready to go. Except we're not going - the woman just e-mailed me and told me she was heading home sick. She won't be available tonight. I am not amused.

katanne9 · June 2010

Awwww bummer : ( I'm sorry. At least you are prepared for next time!

PaigeMcC · June 2010

Yeah, that's what FI said too Kat. But I won't lie - I was excited to go. Oh wells! I guess this just means we need to BBQ and take the dogs to the park instead

Quick ladies...I need venue advice!

Re: Quick ladies...I need venue advice!

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