Chosing the Venue for the Wedding Reception
One of the major decisions you will make when planning your wedding is the choice of venue for your reception. New hotels are popping up across the country thus the choice of wedding reception venues is bigger than ever. To avoid disappointment check them out well in advance. Remember you can also host a wedding reception in a garden, marquee, castle or stately home. The key to finding the perfect venue is choosing one that will reflect your personal wedding style. There is no point in hosting a reception at a supper slick 5 star hotel if you want your wedding to have an old world Irish, medieval theme. While you don’t need to have every detail of your wedding finalized before booking your reception, it does help to have an idea of how you want the day to look and feel. The venue will not only effect the look of the event it will also affect the atmosphere.
The next step is to make a list of venues that suit your criteria and contact them requesting their wedding packages. You then shortlist them and make arrangements to view them before making final decision. Bring a checklist of your requirements, here are some suggestions for your list
- Capacity of function rooms, don’t forget your evening guests in your total count
- Liability insurance for the size of your wedding
- Head-table arrangements, bride and groom chair decor
- Disability access
- Photography opportunities
- Red carpet entrance
- Tea & Coffee or Sherry welcome at entrance
- Wine included in the meal price
- Or do they charge corkage if you supply your own wine?
- Music in reception e.g. pianist or piper
- Cake stands, pillars and knife supplied
- Facilities for children
- Bridal party changing room
- Free overnight accommodation for the bride and groom
- Special offer accommodation rates for the guests
- Local Guesthouses for additional guests
- Rates for evening buffet
- Charge for supplying your own buffet
- Parking facilities
- Smoking rules
- Renovation plans from now until your wedding day
Ask the manager about restrictions on finishing times, some have relaxed views others have a strict policy. Check if there is another wedding venue the same day as yours, you don’t want to be arriving at the same time!!
While availability will be a big part of your choice it is important to be happy with your venue. Be prepared to make many trips there before your special day. Ask to view the banqueting room fully dressed for a wedding to give you a better perspective on the potential. When deciding on your menus ask for food tasting this is quite acceptable these days. While organizing the festivities in your venue you will get to know the banqueting manager very well, listen to their advice as they deal with weddings on a weekly basis and have learned a lot. Check if they are on duty the day of the wedding, if not arrange to meet and familiarise yourself with the assistant. Many venues also have a wedding coordinator on staff at no extra cost. Their role is to make sure everything runs smoothly for your wedding day so make sure you take full advantage of them.
When it comes to cost don’t be afraid to negotiate a better deal, venues may not drop their price, but they might add a number of extras such as flowers and table decor. Remember that you are the paying customer and that competition between venues to secure weddings is fierce; so use this to your advantage.
Sláinte!
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