Detroit Area Wedding Guide
Choosing the reception location
Choosing the Wedding Reception Location
Many decisions in planning a wedding come down to common sense. For example if you have a guest list of five hundred people and a hall that fits two hundred, you have a problem. But it seems that emotions somehow take the better part of the wedding planning process, which then leads us to unfortunate decisions. It is not that couples do not think intelligently, it is just that there are so many things to do and so many people to please that sometimes inappropriate decisions prevail.
In this discussion, we are going to help you choose the reception location and also, provide some pointers on facilitating the venue decision making process.
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1. Before you start to visit venues, decide up front what type of reception you require. Use the Ten Points below to help you make the final decision on the type of reception. Knowing what you want and what you need will ultimately make the process faster and easier.
2. Weed out all the venues that are inappropriate.
If the hall is too small, do not add it to your list. Unless you plan to cut down the guest list, the hall will not be acceptable.
If the hall is not elegant enough for your tastes or does not meet the atmosphere that you are trying to create, do not visit the hall.
If you must visit the venue to determine that it is not acceptable, once you know that it will not work, remove it from your list immediately and move on.
3. Start and maintain a spreadsheet or use one of the online wedding planning software to keep track of your information.
how many the hall seats
the location of the hall and how easy it is to access from major routes
whether the hall provides catering or not
the dates the hall is available
the cost per person for food and the rental cost of the hall
rental costs of linens if applicable
In deciding which wedding venue is right for you, consider these Ten Points.
1. Number of People
This is probably the first point to be considered. Determine your guest list and once you safely know how many people to expect, you will be able to search for halls that meet the size requirement.
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2. Season or Time of Year
If you live in an area that experiences both winter and summer, then a winter wedding reception will most likely take place indoors. If it is a summer wedding, however, you will need to choose between indoor and outdoor.
When choosing an outdoor garden reception, if your family members do not have a beautiful garden to offer as the location, many cities have parks and botanical gardens where the ceremony and reception can be held. Contact the appropriate City Hall or Parks and Recreation Department to inquire about outside venues.
3. Ethnic Clubs
Many cultures have their own clubs and associations in various communities. If your family has strong ties to its heritage and culture, you may choose to use the facilities provided by the club. Sometimes members will receive priority treatment so it may not be as difficult to book the venue for the preferred date.
4. Religious Beliefs
Religious beliefs will play a role in the selection of the venue. Traditional North American weddings are usually performed on Saturdays but for many religions, other days of the week are the norm. In addition to the acceptable day of the week, whether liquor and dancing are permitted will help to decide which location to choose.
5. Time of the Day
Nowadays, it is quite common to host luncheon receptions as opposed to the elaborate dinner time reception. The luncheon may be held at a quaint Teashop or even a small Yacht Club.
6. Amount in Budget
Sometimes, the choice of reception location comes down to numbers - how much you have available in your wedding day budget. If you find that the locations you are visiting are not financially feasible, then think about other options that may be less expensive such as:
combining the wedding ceremony and the reception in one location
having the meal catered by family instead of the hall or professional caterers
cutting back on other expenses to help meet the hall costs
7. Combined Ceremony and Reception
Combining the wedding service and the reception in one location is becoming more popular as family and friends live all over the country. Keeping the two events in one location avoids the necessity of travelling between locations keeping it convenient for the guests.
8. Banquet Hall or Hall
Banquet halls usually refer to locations that provide the food and servers as well. If you have a favorite caterer in mind, you may rule out some of the banquet halls as not all of them allow outside catering. On the other hand, if you choose a hall with no catering, then you will need to add another function to your list - finding your meal.
9. Small Family Affair
Small affairs that include the witnesses and parents or maybe a few special family members can be held nicely with reservations at your favorite restaurant. Many restaurants have small rooms for birthday parties, anniversaries and get togethers.
10. Availability of Hall
Even after making your decision of where to host your wedding reception, the decision may be as mundane as which hall is available for a particular date. Halls are booked months and even years in advance so start looking early.
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