what should i look for in a wedding reception venue

What should I look for in a wedding reception venue?

• A Roomy Fit. It sounds obvious, but when it comes to what you should look for in your wedding venue, this is so important.
• Eating, Drinking and Partying Areas.
• Privacy.
• Lighting.
• A View You Like.
• The Proper Palette.
• Ample Outlets.
• Good Acoustics.

Full Answer

What should you look for when choosing a wedding venue?

Why you want to know: You'll want to know for your budget's sake whether the venue has any all-inclusive packages for the site and food (and if any special dietary restrictions can be honored, like a kosher menu), if any rentals/pros are included (like microphones, linens and a full waitstaff) and whether an on-site coordinator can help.

What do you need for a wedding reception?

You're going to need a lot of plates and bowls for your reception—from the small plates your guests will use for hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hour to salad plates, dinner plates, bread plates, and more during the main meal—and there are so many styles to choose from!

What does a wedding florist look for in a reception venue?

Your florist will likely look at a seating chart and "map" of your reception venue to see where floral arrangements can be featured. Work with your florist to find other "moments" for floral decor throughout your reception venue, from hanging arrangements to a statement floral wall and more.

What are the key questions to ask your wedding venue?

We’ve asked the pros for the key questions to ask your wedding venue. You’ll want to ask these before you book. Consider bringing this list of 28 important questions to ask potential venues with you on your site visits. Is my date of choice available? If not, are there any surrounding dates available? Or do you have a wait list for dates?

What is most important when selecting a wedding venue?

Your budget is usually the leading factor in how to choose a wedding venue right for you. Sometimes off-season weddings or Sunday weddings can yield a lower price tag. We've also put together a list of affordable wedding venue ideas you might not have considered. 2.

How do you evaluate a wedding venue?

Answer these questions to pick a wedding venueCan I afford this venue? (See what we did there? ... Is this venue available on the date (or month, or time of year) that I want? ... Does this venue's capacity fit my estimated guest list? ... Does this venue's layout/available space fit my needs? ... Consider location.More items...•

What does a wedding venue typically include?

1. What should a wedding venue include? No matter what size wedding or wedding budget you're working with, you can expect your wedding venue to include: an area for the ceremony, an audience space, and two separate lounge spaces for both sides of the wedding party to get ready in.

What do you look for in a venue?

What to Consider When Searching for a VenueLocation. You've probably already considered this. ... Parking. Does the venue have a parking lot or valet parking? ... Capacity and Minimums. What's the capacity? ... Contract Flexibility and Force Majeure. ... Services and Amenities. ... Layout. ... Insurance. ... Ambiance and Accessibility.More items...•

What makes a great venue?

The most important aspect of choosing a venue is the cost-efficiency. Make sure the venue offers price flexibility such as pricing tiers or packages. You can also check whether a venue offers an all-inclusive hire rate or if they offer more price-friendly, digestible options.

Why is venue selection important?

The right venue ensures that your event will be executed to any specifications, and that guests will be surprised and delighted by their experience, resulting in a favorable view of your company, or the clients you represent.

What is the difference between venue and reception?

The venue is another key difference between the wedding ceremony and wedding reception. If the couple has a very specific vision for their ceremony—say they want to get married on an oceanfront cliff—then they may opt to have their ceremony and reception at two different locations.

What is a realistic budget for a wedding?

According to The Knot 2019 Real Weddings Study, the average wedding costs $33,900, including the engagement ring.

What percentage of wedding budget should be venue?

Venue: 30% Unsurprisingly, the biggest chunk of your wedding budget will go to the biggest investment, which is often the venue. Our study found that couples typically spend about 30% of their overall budget on the setting of their nuptials.

What questions to ask when hiring a venue?

What are the questions to ask a venue when planning an event for corporate?Check the capacity. ... Ask to see photographs of the venue in use. ... Request floorplans to help with your planning. ... Are there any access issues for guests who are disabled or have limited mobility?More items...•

What thing you must keep in mind when choosing a venue for an event?

Choosing the perfect venue for your special event is no easy task, and there are a lot of factors to consider. The venue's price, available dates, location, parking availability, accommodations for your guests… the list of things to think about can go on and on and you do not want to make a costly mistake!

How to pick a wedding venue?

1. Pick a Location#N#Most couples get married near the city where they currently live, but the world is your oyster! Once you have your wedding locale set, it narrows down the list of venues considerably.#N#2. Set a Budget#N#You need to have an idea of how much you can afford to spend on both your wedding as a whole and for the venue itself. Note that your venue and catering prices and cost will likely comprise about half of your budget.#N#Tip: Use WeddingWire's Budget Tool#N#3. Estimate a Guest Count#N#You do not have to have a complete and accurate guest list ready at this point. However, an estimated size will help you find a wedding recpetion and ceremony venue with the right capacity for your needs.#N#4. Think About a Date#N#You can pick a date first, and find a venue that is available then, or find the venue of your dreams, and then pick a wedding date based on the location’s availability. Either way can work, but just note that a more flexible mindset will give you more options.#N#5. Find Your Style#N#Think about how you want your wedding to feel —formal, casual, or somewhere in between—and look for venues that match your wedding style.#N#Ready to go? Start your venue hunt on WeddingWire now »

What is the best place to have a wedding?

Barns are best for more casual weddings and encourage guests to kick off their heels and party! Barns located on farms or ranches often feature ample outdoor space for ceremonies, portraits, lawn games, and more.

What is an all inclusive wedding venue?

A: “An all-inclusive venue usually will provide everything you need: food, beverage, flowers, linens, etc. at one price, but you are a little more restricted as to what you can and cannot do. À la carte venues are designed more for the hands-on bride that is wanting to really personalize every aspect of their day.

What is the best venue for a black tie wedding?

Ballroom. Couples hoping to host a formal, black-tie wedding should consider a ballroom venue, whether it’s located in a hotel, country club, or as part of a banquet hall. Many ballrooms make wedding planning a snap by offering in-house catering, as well as other on-premise services.

What is a garden venue?

In terms of style, a garden venue is flexible—you can dress it up for more formal weddings or down for more casual events. Beautiful scenery means beautiful backdrops for wedding portraits. Similar to a beach, gardens are a naturally gorgeous setting which may mean little need for added decor.

Is it bad to select a venue outside of your budget?

Selecting a venue outside or at the highest end of the budget can cause tremendous stress and typically results in skimping on other details that you would have otherwise loved to have had. Any disappointments on wedding day are no fun, therefore it’s best to be realistic when selecting your venue.”.

Timeline

Choosing a venue will be one of the first wedding planning moves you make, so you'll likely want to kick off your search on the earlier side. But it all comes down to your personal preference. "If you are particular when it comes to the venue, the earlier the better," says Wendy Kay of Birds of a Feather Events.

Date Flexibility

Speaking of timelines, what comes first? Picking a wedding date or choosing a venue? It ultimately depends on what is more important to you—getting married during a particular time of year or nabbing the venue of your dreams.

Number of Venues

Some couples scout two different types of venues: one for their ceremony and one for their reception. While the majority of brides and grooms stick with just one (it's easier on both your budget and your guests!), plenty—including those tying the knot at a place of worship says Tara Guérard of Tara Guérard Soirée —require two.

Location

Beyond a destination wedding—where some element of travel is built into the event—you'll want to be aware of your venue's accessibility.

Style

For event planner Calder Clark, choosing a space that "meshes with your vision" is priority number one. Ultimately, your venue's style comes down to personal preference—and who you are as a bride. Classic fiancées often gravitate towards indoor venues, like hotels, ballrooms, and country clubs, says Sloane.

Capacity

Capacity limits can make or break a venue—you obviously can't cram 300 people into a space that's designed to accommodate 150. The reverse is just as problematic, says Clark.

Budget

While designating a specific portion of your budget to your venue isn't always a science ("I've seen venue fees range from $2,500 to $30,000, depending on location," says Fitzgerald), the average couple allocates around 10-15% on average, explains Sloane. "But it could be up to 20% or more if the venue includes anything."

What do you need for a wedding reception?

You'll likely need a lot of flatware (salad forks, steak knives, butter knives, soup spoons, etc.) for your reception—and plenty of extras in case someone drops a fork or two. Lean on your caterer and rentals company to pick what you need.

What to put on a wedding reception table?

Adding some unique accessories, such as lanterns, geodes, vintage pieces, and geometric accents, to your reception tables can really help bring your wedding style to life. Your florist may be able to help you source these, or you can hit flea markets and other wedding decor retailers to find them yourself.

What is an event rental company?

An event rentals company, along with your wedding venue and caterer, provides many essential items on your wedding reception checklist that you might forget. Don't forget to give these pros an accurate headcount once your RSVPs are in so they can make sure they have the right amounts of each necessary item.

What do centerpieces do for a reception?

Centerpieces will add color and texture to your reception guest tables— whether you're opting for tall, lush arrangements or a more minimalist style, your florist will ensure that each and every table is well-decorated. Your florist will also provide vessels, such as vases, bowls, jars, and more, for your centerpieces.

What to do if your reception venue already has its own bar?

If not, you'll need to work with your caterer, rentals company, and/or bartending company to ensure you have everything from barware to straws, lemon and lime wedges, and more.

What is a photo booth?

A photo booth can be a fun addition to your wedding reception entertainment. There are lots of types of photo booths to choose from—a reputable photo booth company can help you pick the best one for your event.

What do you need for a catering service?

Serving trays and utensils. Depending on your catering serving style (plated, buffet, family-style, etc.), you'll need a variety of serving pieces and utensils, which your rentals company and caterer can provide.

What are the services of a wedding?

What kinds of services do you offer? 1 A tent, if you want an outdoor ceremony or need a backup plan? 2 A backup plan in general, in case your first option needs to be changed due to weather? 3 Space for your ceremony, if you want to use the venue for both your ceremony and reception? 4 Cocktail hour space, especially if you're having the ceremony and reception at the venue? 5 A separate room for childcare if you're having an adults-only wedding and providing a babysitter? 6 A coat check for winter weddings? 7 A dressing room to store belongings, get ready in before the ceremony or change during the reception? 8 ADA-compliant facilities and entrances, for disabled or elderly guests? 9 On-site hotel rooms, to minimize transportation, secure a room block or potentially rent out the property? 10 Parking for your guests? 11 Ample restrooms for your guest count?

Why do you want to know if a venue is close to public transportation?

Why you want to know: You'll want to know if the venue's close to any public transportation, or if there are cab or driver services in the area for guests to use. After all, nobody should be driving a car after consing alcohol.

How long does it take for a wedding to set up?

Why you want to know: Besides the actual ceremony and reception, you'll want to know the exact time your pros can arrive to start setting up (they usually need at least two hours, if not more) and what time they need to be out by so they know when to start breaking down.

Is it important to see a venue in person?

While it's important to actually see the venue in-person, there are important things to ask about for planning purposes. For example, you want to make sure there's enough parking if your guests are driving in for the occasion.

Can you bring alcohol to a wedding?

Why you want to ask: Bringing in your own alcohol is one way to cut corners on costs, but you'll soon realize many venues, especially hotels, do not allow you to bring in outside alcohol. In fact, some wedding venues may not permit alcohol at all on the premises.

Can you have more than one wedding in a day?

Why you want to know: If you're having an evening wedding, you don't want your guests arriving to see the afternoon wedding's rentals being packed up. It's normal for venues to host more than one wedding in a day (especially at a hotel), but just make sure there won't be any visible crossover.

Pricing and Availability

Is my date of choice available? If not, are there any surrounding dates available? Or do you have a wait list for dates?

Food and Drinks

Do you have an in-house caterer? If so, are food and beverages included in the venue rental fee?

Production Staff

Who will be our point person as we plan our wedding? Who will be our point person on our wedding day?