Visiting reception venues- questions?

Re: Visiting reception venues- questions?

• noodle_oo member

  

  March 2010 edited December 2011

  Not sure if this is helpful or not, but here's the list of questions I prepared for our meetings.  Sorry, it is wicked long!  But hopefully thorough!  I think I got a lot of this from another knottie and it was SOOO helpful to make sure we got all the info we needed.  Good luck!
  
  

  1.      Capacity

  a.      Configuration of tables, table size (8, 10 per table)

  b.      Dance floor – size

  c.      Cocktail reception space

   

  2.      Cost

  a.      Food & Beverage or Adult guest minimum

  b.      22% service fee:  what does this include?  Is it taxable?

  c.      Other fees (cork, cake cutting, set up fee, bartender, police detail, etc.)

  d.      Can you accept payment of deposit/balance by credit card or just cash/check? If by credit card, is there any additional fee for doing so?

  e.      When are deposits due? Full balance?

  f.        When do you need final count by?

  g.      What is your cancellation policy?

   

  3.      Facility

  a.      # events per night? If more than one, are there shared spaces (restrooms/terrace)?

  b.      Pictures of room set up for wedding

  c.      Private room for bride/bridal party

  d.      Is there a place to take photographs in case of bad weather?

   

  4.      Menu

  a.      Food options?  Cost for giving guests 2 selections?

  b.      Cocktail hour – cost to add cheese or veggie station? Hors D’oeuvres: says 5 and 4 in package info.

  c.      Discounted meals:

  i.  Vendor meal cost?

  ii.  Cost for children < 10 years old?

  d.      Wedding cake included? Is the vendor Kondieter Meister?

  e.      Tasting included? When?

   

  5.      Bar

  a.      Is the cocktail hour included?

  b.      How many hours are in the package? Must they be consecutive?

  c.      Packages (open, consumption, etc.) Does per person include <21?   Beer, wine, soda only option?

  d.      Champagne toast?

  e.      Dinner wine service? Poured or on table? Amount?  Can we close bar during dinner?

  f.        Policies – when does bar close?

   

  6.      Timeline – Start/End time? Extended time?

   

  7.      Lines/Chairs/Décor – Are linens/flatware/stemware/service included?

  a.      What type of chairs? Linen options?

  b.      What size tables do you have? 60 inch rounds, 72 inch rounds, squares? - How many ppl per table?

  c.      High/lows for cocktail hour?

   

  8.      Parking - Cost/Valet/Overnight

   

  9.      Wedding coordinator – What exactly does he/she do leading up to and day of? Will he/she be present during the event?

   

  10.  Accommodations (if applicable)

  a.      Complimentary wedding night suite included?

  b.      Discounted room rate for guests

   

  11.  DJ/Band set up/requirements?

   

  12.  Ceremony on site location?  Backup for outdoor location if bad weather? 

  a.      Provide any decorations?  Arbor, arch, etc?

  
  

  
  

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• dovesweet07 member

  

  March 2010 edited December 2011

  That is very thorough! Great questions!!! If you plan on having the ceremony there, definitely ask when you would be able to have the rehearsal (like would it be the day before or would you have to come on a random weekday since they have events going on)

  Good luck and have fun!!!

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• smccart7

  

  March 2010 edited December 2011

  Noodle- that is a VERY impressive list!! I knew i could count on knotties Thanks for the help.

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• noodle_oo member

  

  March 2010 edited December 2011

  Thx!  No problem, I'm still getting tons of advice on here so I'm happy to help out too! 

  
  

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• ebigelow member

  

  March 2010 edited December 2011

  I think most things have been covered, but here's a few more just in case!

  
  

  Maximum # of people the space can hold

  Are there any time restrictions on the rental (must start or end by a certain time)

  How long  before the event can you access the venue

  Are candles allowed?

  Are tax and gratuity included in the prices?

  Also, if you are having the ceremony there, definitely see both indoor and outdoor options...we ruled out a bunch of places because we hated the indoor option and I would've been really upset if it rained and I had to have it inside! 
  
  By the way, we're getting married at Turner Hill this June!  Good luck with your search!

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• Karen's MOH member

  

  March 2010 edited December 2011

  Well, Noodle more than covered everything! I will say, though, the things I kept going back and having to ask after the fact were most often about money. Make sure you find out not only the prices, but what is taxed, what you are expected to tip, what the service charges are... And keep careful notes on those things. It doesn't seem like a lot until you multiply it by 150 people.
  
  Good luck!

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• MeaghanandMichael

  

  March 2010 edited December 2011

  In this economy, it is worth asking how things work if the venue closes for financial reasons.

  
  RAWR!
  
  

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• jacquikev

  

  March 2010 edited December 2011

  great list. I also included asking about the number of outlets in the facility. For band set ups, lighting, ect. 

  

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