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Finding the right place to host your wedding reception
is as important as the place to have the wedding itself.
When you are searching for the perfect place, you will want
to take several factors into consideration, including but
not limited to, location, parking, and flexibility of the
facility’s management. And probably most important
is the affordability. This can be a daunting task, but keep
some of these items in mind when looking for the perfect
location…
If your wedding will be held at a church, what is the distance
to the perspective location? If everyone can leave together,
then a little further distance can be tolerated so know
one gets lost. Twenty or thirty minutes driving time will
be acceptable to most guests. Any more than that and you
will be asking too much of your guests. The closer they
are together, the better. If you wanted to get married in
your regular church, but the reception location is an hour
away, it will not be a good choice.
Can the location hold the number of guests you intend to
invite? It is better to have a location that can handle
more than the number of invited guests, just in case some
uninvited people show up. It is a good idea to agree on
a spot that will be comfortable to move around in, and not
be cramped into a little, over crowded space.
When looking for the perfect location, consider what the
setting will be for the wedding. If you will be having a
very dazzling, brilliant wedding party, then you don’t
want to rent the local bingo hall. Instead look for ritzy
hotels, upscale country clubs, an opera house or the like.
If the bride and her maids will be in more casual clothing,
then maybe a park or an outdoor location near a lake should
be considered.
Now that you have looked and looked and finally found the
perfect spot, it’s time to talk business with the
operators of the location. Knowing exactly what is in store
well in advance will alleviate any wedding day surprises.
How much does the location cost? Does it rent b y the hour
or by the event? Can you use your caterer of choice, or
do they require that you use theirs? Any there any other
service fees? Is gratuity included if they supply the food
and service? Make sure to ask all of the questions and get
it in writing. A few other considerations might be to weigh
the difference between having an all inclusive event at
a country club or having to do all the footwork and pay
5 or 6 different people if the event is held outdoors.
When you have decided on a few potential locations, you
will want to ask for references as to their quality of service.
Make sure to call all of the references and ask specific
questions. Ask them how likely they would be to use their
services again, or refer them to friends and family. Be
diligent to find out all you need to know before you even
think about signing a contract with a location you have
chosen. It will behoove you to ask around in the area near
the location and see what type of responses you get. You
can also check with the chamber of commerce to see if they
have been complained about for an event hosting like this.
Bridal shops will usually have this information as well.
All of this homework will pay off on your wedding day.
The last step in choosing a location for the reception
is booking a date. You may even find that some have been
booked 2 or 3 years in advance if it is a very popular place.
Making your choice as far in advance as possible is a good
idea. When the ring is on the finger, put the fingers on
the phone or the Internet and starting doing your research.
Sometimes the date of your wedding will be all booked at
your location of choice, so you may have to be flexible
if you really want to have the reception there. Maybe a
Friday night instead of a Saturday afternoon would be a
feasible time for you and them. Now all you have to do is
get a written quote, read it carefully, and then sign a
contract with the location. Read the quote and any fine
print very carefully. Make sure to ask any questions you
have before you sign the contract.
Finding the perfect location for your wedding reception
as early as possible will alleviate the stress of not finding
the one you want and having to settle for less. The wedding
location will play the largest role in deciding where you
will host your wedding reception. Finding the location that
you both really like will make your special day even more
special. Plus your guests will remember it forever too.
Ask Bridget for advice on wedding planning. See how we
can assist with bridesmaid’s jewelry at SilverlandJewelry.com.
Crystal bridal jewelry will put the finishing touch on an
elegant wedding.
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