Reception Halls - Questions to Ask so You Know What to Expect from Your Venue

If you've set a wedding date and plan on having a large event, be sure to start shopping around for reception halls as soon as possible. There are many places to choose from, so be sure to check out all the fine details before securing a place to avoid any unexpected charges.

Can you have your ceremony at this location?

For some brides, the thought of getting married in a church and then driving to a reception hall does not seem like a good time. If this is the case, you may want to have everything at one location. During your search for the perfect place, find out if the facility can accommodate a wedding ceremony, as well as the after party. Do a little investigating in this area, because some places may tell you that they can meet your needs, only for you to discover that the space is too small when you arrive for the actual wedding ceremony.

What kind of food do you want?

If your idea of a fantastic party after your wedding includes a sit-down dinner, you need to be 100% sure that the reception halls you consider offer this. There is also an assortment of possibilities to keep in mind when choosing your food. Some places offer certain meals that your guests can sit down and eat together, while others offer an array of light bites or hors d'oeuvres that people will nibble on throughout the night. Some locations may even allow you to bring in your own caterer for food. Bottom line, it just depends on what you want, and what the place can offer.

Is it an open bar?

While some people don't have alcohol at their wedding, if you know that your friends and family will surely want champagne, beer, wine and liquor, it's essential that you have a bar. Find out if the reception hall offers bartender services and supplies alcohol, or if you will have to deal with this matter yourself. For instance, some facilities have a full bar with a bartender all ready for you and your guests. You simply pay in advance, and on the day of the wedding, the bar will be open and your guests can drink as they please. If you don't want this expense, however, a cash bar should be set up, and your guests will need to pay for their own drinks.

What about music?

Depending on whether you want a live band or a deejay, your choice in reception halls can vary. For instance, some facilities encourage you to hire a deejay as opposed to a live band, simply because the facility is located near a residential area. If this is a huge issue for you, and you know you really want live music, choose your venue accordingly.