Choosing a Reception Site
Finding the right reception
site or caterer doesn't have to be as hard as some people make
it. The choice of the location and the caterer can sometimes carry
the weight of the entire wedding reception. After being in business
as a caterer for over 20 years there hasn't been to many locations
that we haven't been exposed to. Some are wonderful to look at,
but a nightmare to work in.
Never pick your location (or
Caterer) out by just calling on the phone for information. Most
rental sites will tell you what you want to hear. You need to
see the place for yourself. Never pick you location by price alone.
Some locations might seem pricey and some might seem cheap. Most
times you get what you pay for. If a location quotes a lower price
it might be because it isn't in a good location, doesn't have
tables, chairs, dance floor, kitchen or ample parking or bathrooms.
Maybe the price quoted is only for the room or house and doesn't
include anything else including the setting up or cleaning up.
Some people in order to save money will opt for the lower priced
sites and realize that they will have to put in a full days work
before and after the wedding to get the place the way it needs
to be for the reception. As long as you understand this ahead
of time there will be no surprises. Some people think when they
order chairs and tables, dance floors, lattice work, etc. that
the rental people set it up when it is delivered. Wrong! They
bring it and drop it off, unless you make arrangements to have
them set it up. There will be an additional charge for this. Do
not take it for granted that your caterer will do this for you
either. Most caterers do not bring their own tables for the food
and expect the tables they need to be there, setup and ready to
go. They usually give themselves enough time to do what they have
been hired to do and have no time to set up 150 chairs and 16
tables for your guest. They also usually do not supply the cloths
for your rental tables either.
Now we'll talk about the locations
that might cost a little bit more. See what you get for the price
your quoted. Do they supply tables, linens, chairs, dance floor
if you need one? Does the place look great already or do you have
to bring in a lot of decorations to make it look the way you want?
Can you bring in your own alcohol or do you have to buy it from
them? Do they setup and clean up the area you are renting? Will
there be someone around to let deliveries in ahead of time. How
is their kitchen? If your bringing in your own caterer this means
a lot. You might want a seated dinner for 100 people. If their
kitchen is small and poorly equipped you'll need to change your
plans about dinner or your location. Can it seat 100 people and
have room to walk, dance or mingle. If it rains or its cold, can
everyone get inside and be together (not half upstairs and half
down stairs) When they say they can hold 200 people does that
mean inside or does it mean using porches and lawns. Is it air-conditioned?
If your planning a bar ask how many bathrooms does it offer. You
might laugh at this, but 100 people drinking beer and a one toilet
bathroom do not go well together. If you have to use their caterer
ask if this firm has references, pictures, insurance,and how long
have they been in business. (This is important to know even if
you hire your own caterer.)
Sometimes caterers can be like
reception sites. If they quote you prices that are to good to
be true there might be a reason for it.) More then once I've had
brides calling at the last minute crying that the caterer they
chose couldn't do their wedding because they went out of business,
had to go out of town or were sick and had no one else to take
over. You need to deal with people that have a track record. Locations,
caterers, florist, photographers, and limo services come and go.
Make sure who you pick will be there 9 months from now. Ask the
question " What if ? " If you do your homework you shouldn't
have any surprises hit you 2 weeks before the wedding. I've had
people say to me the day of the wedding " You're the one
person we know we didn't have to worry about " Think about
it. Why did you hire the rest? If your not sure if someone you
hired will do a good or great job why would you go with them?
Look around. Feel good about your choices in location, caterer,
florist, etc.
This is going to be one of
the biggest days in your life and it should also be the most stress
free one that you can possibly make it. Afterwards wouldn't it
be wonderful to get feed back like " The place was beautiful,
the food was wonderful. We had the best time we've ever had at
a wedding " and not " Where did you dig that caterer
up from", " At least the roof didn't leak ", "
No one really noticed the cake was leaning. Or " That would
have been a good picture if his thumb hadn't gotten in the way.!
" Make your choices wisely and make your big day fun for
everyone.
