Wedding Reception

Choosing a Reception Site
By Lynda Dubbs

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.

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