February is National Weddings Month, so it’s a great time to start planning if you're getting married in the near future!
Planning a wedding of any size is stressful. Even if you keep it small or informal, there are countless details to
think about. Some couples prefer to tackle the bigger tasks first so they can
focus on the smaller “to dos” closer to the big day. If this sounds like you, let’s talk about one
of the biggest items—finding a venue for your reception.
An outdoor location is one way to keep costs down if you
have a small budget or are keeping things casual. Do you know anyone with a big and beautiful
backyard, farm, or other unique piece of property? If so, ask them if they’d be
willing to host your reception. Just
remember that any outdoor event is at the mercy of Mother Nature, so plan
accordingly with a tent, umbrellas for guests, and any other emergency weather
gear.
But if you’re staying indoors, make a list of “must haves” to
help you evaluate each facility you visit. Having some idea of what you want
ahead of time can make the process simpler and less overwhelming for everyone
involved.
Below are a few things to include on your checklist:
Size. How big is
your guest list? Before you even start looking at venues, do some research and
make sure they can comfortably fit the amount of people you plan to invite. Find a place that’s large enough for a 200+
guest list; smaller but still comfortable—you want plenty of room for people to
socialize and dance!—if you’re only inviting your closest friends and family (of
course you can have 100 people in a massive banquet hall, but maybe something
smaller and more intimate would be better).
Cost. Price is
always a deciding factor. Luckily, most venues have a variety of serving
options that are priced accordingly, so something should fit your budget. Most
large-scale events serve the food as either plated, family-style (where
everyone takes their food from the same plate which is passed to each person), or buffet.
Cocktail hours with appetizers, serving stations, dessert bars…these are just a
few of the trends that have been popping up at receptions in the past few years
(all with their own price tags, of course). Or, if you’re committed to keeping
costs down, recruit friends or family with impressive culinary skills to make
the food either on-site or ahead of time and just use the facility’s kitchen to
keep everything warm.
Menu. Can the kitchen
accommodate special dietary needs, such as those with food allergies? Is their
menu diverse enough to keep finicky eaters happy? Do they offer choices for
kids if necessary? Are there vegetarian options available? Do special menu requests
come with special pricing? These are just a few questions to keep in mind when
you sit down with the venue’s planner or catering manager, which leads to…
Planning help available. Does the venue have an event planner who can help with the planning, answer
questions along the way, and oversee the details on the day itself? You and
your spouse-to-be have dozens of stressors to deal with on your wedding day, so
it’s nice to know that someone will be on-site to make sure the place settings
are in order, the band or DJ has their directions, and can take care of placing
the cake. An event planner is more of a “nice to have” than a necessity, but
their help can be invaluable as the big day gets closer!
Ensure
that everything goes smoothly on your big day with a wedding and special event
insurance policy. ETA Benefits Group works with several carriers that sell this
type of affordable coverage. Contact
us to get a no obligation
quote!
What else would you
add to this list? How did you choose your reception location? We’d love to hear
from you in the comments below!
The amount of wedding reception locations that couples have at their disposable are practically limitless. However, studentwritingservices illustrates some questions you may need to confirm with the person that is responsible for renting the venue to you.
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