reception location

[Soon2beMrsSpicer]

How did you know your location was for you? What was the deciding factor for you?

[Angela]

Honestly, it was money. It was the cheapest place we could get that wasn't a total dump. It was actually really nice, considering how little we spent.

[~*Kate*~]

Ours was availability. Mom started checking around for places almost a year ahead of time, while we were in England. There weren't a lot of options and everything was booking up, so we actually changed our wedding date to the next weekend and booked it site unseen, by us, anyway.

[carolinalady67]

My DH is in a wheelchair so easy set up for him to get around was a make or brake deal for us on a location.

[Deidre98]

Size and cost were 2 huge factors in narrowing it down but the reason we chose our location was because when I walked into the room, I could see picture it for the actual day.

[Aramelle]

It was really important to us to have a location where we could have an outdoor ceremony with an indoor reception. The ceremony area at our venue was what completely sold me...it is so beautiful! We also liked the banquet room, and the price for rental and catering was almost unbeatable. So, all of those factored into our decision to book the place we did.

[MsJessica07]

We originally wanted to get married at the place we got together (a retreat center) but it was waaaay out of our price range, unless we wanted an outdoor wedding, which I didn't want because it would be summer. We also wanted a place where we could have the ceremony and reception in the same location.

The place we had it was in a great location, very reasonably priced, the staff was easy to work with and the building was brand new and beautiful. They also let us bring in our outside caterer, which was really nice (even if it was somewhat of a headache towards the end). It had several beautiful picture spots, both indoors and out.

[*Sarah*]

It was really important to us to have a location where we could have an outdoor ceremony with an indoor reception. The ceremony area at our venue was what completely sold me...it is so beautiful! We also liked the banquet room, and the price for rental and catering was almost unbeatable. So, all of those factored into our decision to book the place we did.

:yeah: Almost word for word

[Winter_Bride]

Ours was cost, and interest. We wanted something that would be memorable, and different than most venues.

We ended up with a really awesome indoor garden, which was PERFECT for DH's side of the family - a lot of them are horticulturalists!

[km]

:computer:

You shouldn't choose your wedding reception venue until you've decided how many guests you plan on having and what your budget is. (Your reception costs might include space rental, food and beverage costs, tips and taxes, administrative fees, overtime fees, parking etc.)

Once you know these things, and you have a few places in mind that fit that budget and size, then it's a question of balancing a number of different considerations, including the following:

What's the decor like? Does it fit your wedding style? Will you have to spend a lot of money on flowers and decorations to make it beautiful?

Do they have an in-house caterer, and do you like that food? While an in-house caterer makes things easier, and usually cheaper, sometimes the hall can be beautiful, but the food ho-hum. Do they have a limitation on which caterers you can use?

Do they have adequate coat check and bathroom facilities?

Do they have a liquor license?

Will they allow you to bring your own liquor? (This is usually cheaper, even with the customary corkage fee.)

What's the cancellation policy?

Is there a payment schedule? What kind of deposits are required?

Are there any hidden costs? Before you sign the contract, read it carefully.

What are the overtime charges?

Is there room for a band and/or dancing?

Is there a space for the bride and groom to change and/or relax?

Where will you take photographs?

Who will be supervising and troubleshooting before the day of your wedding?
Who will be supervising and troubleshooting on the day of your wedding?
Can you meet them now?

Where can your guests park? Are there extra fees for parking?
Do they have valet parking?

Especially if you're considering museums or private clubs, what are the limitations on what decor you can have?

If its an outdoor location, do they have any backup plans for rainy days? If not, is there a place that you can put up a tent?

:wavey:

[Sk8ermaiden]

It was historic and in our favorite part of town. Just the character of a historic building - we love it. It was also unbelievably inexpensive (especially since we'd never decorate it) and just the right size. Oh, ond two blocks away from the church. Really it was just fate.

[Kiera]

I had been to events there before and loved it.

The location was perfect- Cape Cod and right on the water.

It was within our budget.

The decor matched my vision perfectly.

The food is great.

[jillian]

Basically we both knew it was our place when we walked in. We both wanted it to have significance... where our first date was, where we were engaged...

[Poloke]

We wanted something we could do the ceremony & reception at and that was close to both sides of the family. Cost was a huge issue b/c doing it around the area we live in would have cost twice as much. The venue we chose was where my aunt was married 17yrs ago, and it was gorgeous then with great food, it hadn't changed hands so I knew before we went to speak w/ the manager that we would absolutely get everything we ever wanted.

[Raychel]

We did not have your traditional reception, so in my case I was looking for something cozy, intimate, romantic & a little rustic feeling. I knew it as soon as I saw it, but I never got to see it in person beforehand...so it was pretty awesome that it worked out perfectly.