Going To Check Out My First Reception Location Tomorrow

[iheartscience]

I''m going to check out my first reception location tomorrow morning. I haven''t really gotten into the wedding planning at all yet, so do you seasoned planning veterans have any advice as to what I should be looking for and asking about? I''m really pretty clueless about the details of stuff like this, so nothing is too small to tell me! Thanks in advance!

 

[basil]

Make sure you know (and write down) what exactly is included in the price - i.e. chairs, tables, food, etc. Ideally, they should give you a print out of all this. Try to get a sense of how much the site coordinator will help with your wedding. Some I met with were just "you pay us the money, you get the site", while others will serve as unofficial day-of-coordinator and will help out substantially with logistics. Be aware that many hotel sites have strict minimums. We have a small-ish number of guests, and even with a generous per-person allowance we couldn''t touch the minimums, so those sites were out. Also be aware that many sites have more than one wedding at a time, and more than one wedding per day (i.e. morning and evening)

 

[zoebartlett]

This isn''t about the place itself, but more about what additional info they might be able to provide if you choose a particular place:

You might want to ask if they have certain vendors they can recommend in the area -- florists, bands or DJs, musicians to play during the cocktail hour, etc., if needed.

We''re getting married at a restaurant that does weddings all the time and they have a list of vendors, including officiants, they use all the time. It makes it easier to plan when you have a list of people who are already recommended. It gives you a starting place at least.

 

[iheartscience]

Thanks for the tips, ladies! I''m going to write them down so I don''t forget anything!

 

[monarch64]

Other than what was mentioned above, just be sure to take a card or whatever info you can get from who shows you the venue, that way you can always call back later and ask more questions. Have fun! I thought this was the most fun part of planning, choosing the reception site!

 

[Skippy123]

I would ask how long you have the place, what happens if you leave a little late, what time people will be allowed in to decorate and what decorations are not allowed. How exciting! I am excited for you

 

[iheartscience]

Thanks ladies! The place I looked at was gorgeous! I''m probably going to go with it but I feel like I have to do my due diligence and look at a few more places just to be sure. All your tips really came in handy!

And for some reason I didn''t think about it, but I have a big wedding planner binder and that had a lot of helpful stuff in it, too. Guess I have to read all that stuff now that I''m actually planning it!

 

[kev_800]

Ahem, we''re not all ladies. This is BRIDES AND GROOMS worldwide, not just brides.

The lawyer in me wants to alert you to the fact that most reception/banquet halls, including five star hotels, will have you sign a contract with an ''indemnification'' clause or paragraph. It is imperative that you cross this out, and never agree to it. These venues (and caterers too) need to realize you''re the customer, buying a service from them.... if anything, they should indemnify you! Don''t just blindly sign the contract, you could be kicking yourself six months after the wedding. It could be very nasty....

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 7/3/2007 12:08:48 AM
Author: kev_800
Ahem, we''re not all ladies. This is BRIDES AND GROOMS worldwide, not just brides.


The lawyer in me wants to alert you to the fact that most reception/banquet halls, including five star hotels, will have you sign a contract with an ''indemnification'' clause or paragraph. It is imperative that you cross this out, and never agree to it. These venues (and caterers too) need to realize you''re the customer, buying a service from them.... if anything, they should indemnify you! Don''t just blindly sign the contract, you could be kicking yourself six months after the wedding. It could be very nasty....

Hahaha-my fault, gentleman! And thanks for the tip! What exactly does the ''indemnification'' clause mean? Fill me in, please!

 

[Skippy123]

Cool, glad it went well! Do you have pics?

 

[iheartscience]

No, I didn''t even think about bringing a camera! I''m kicking myself now! Oh well...my sister''s friend is the events coordinator there...maybe she can take some pics and send them to me.

 

[ladyciel]

Date: 7/3/2007 7:03:24 PM
Author: thing2of2
No, I didn''t even think about bringing a camera! I''m kicking myself now! Oh well...my sister''s friend is the events coordinator there...maybe she can take some pics and send them to me.

Does the venue have a website with pics?