Once you say “I Do,” the wedding planning begins. Who will be in the wedding? Where will the ceremony and reception take place? The list of decisions seems endless. Wedding planning can feel overwhelming because it’s such an important day. However, with some organization and creativity, you can create an amazing wedding. This guide offers tips on selecting a venue for your wedding reception, reception locations, and designing your dream wedding.
Finding a Wedding Venue
Start planning your wedding by researching venues. Use a wedding binder to organize important information. Store brochures, photos, and a list of questions and answers from venues. Allocate 30% to 50% of your budget for the venue.
Begin your search by reading reviews, checking bridal boards, and seeking recommendations from friends and family. Contact anyone who recently planned a wedding for advice. Make a list of potential venues, then visit and interview coordinators. Ask basic questions about size, price, and availability to narrow down options.
Once you find the perfect venue, seal the deal by getting everything in writing. Review the agreement carefully to avoid misunderstandings about access times or restrictions on decorations. Negotiate terms if you’re spending significantly; vendors may offer discounts or extras.
Planning a Wedding Reception
When it comes to planning wedding receptions at a venue it’s important to be as detail oriented as possible. It’s a great idea to either hire a wedding coordinator to help you, choose a location like a hotel that may provide a wedding coordinator, or purchase an all-inclusive wedding package so that many of the details will already be worked out for you.
Regardless of which option you choose, you should first come up with a wedding agenda that lists in detail exactly what will happen and when. Also, if you are handling all of the vendors yourself, you will need a list detailing every vendor that will be involved in the wedding reception with contact information and terms of the agreement. If you are working with a wedding coordinator, they will handle all of the vendor management. The main components of a typical wedding reception that need to be planned out are food/alcohol, entertainment and general logistics such as how will the seating chart look and where will guests park.
Food/Alcohol
First you must find out what catering restrictions there are at wedding venues. Wedding receptions should take into account the vendors you can use and the types of food or alcohol you can serve. Some wedding venues may not even allow alcohol, so if this is an important component for your party, ask that question early on. The next question is price. Wedding venues typically charge per person for food and sometimes for bar service as well. Opting for an all inclusive wedding venue like the Tiffany Ballroom can not only save money, but make your planning easier.
Wedding Entertainment
Wedding entertainment may be a live band or a D.J. With either option, the D.J. or band members may not only play music, but they may guide the timing of the wedding as well. This person, for example, may introduce the bride and groom at the beginning of the reception, announce the first dance, and generally keep the wedding reception moving through the various events.
Before choosing your wedding venue reception location, make sure the type of entertainment you want is feasible. Ask about a stage or area for the D.J. as well as what electrical outlets are available. You will also need to ask about any restrictions on the kind of music that can be played, how loud it can be, and how late into the night it can go. For example, at some wedding venues, receptions have to close down by 10 pm because there is a noise ordinance. Interview the band or D.J. first to see if you feel comfortable with their style and if it will fit with your wedding. Talk about a song list and be clear on what role you expect them to play in your wedding.
Wedding Logistics
At all venues, for a wedding reception and other events it is important to consider the overall logistics of the event. Go over each detail carefully with your wedding coordinator or your contact at the venues. Ask about rentals, parking, lighting, decorations, and timing. For out-of-town guests, find out about overnight accommodations and transportation.
Most of all, get good Wedding advice
The Tiffany Ballroom at Four Points Norwood has a wealth of experience helping couples plan their special day. Based on your tastes and needs, we can share some of the newest trends in receptions and events from inspiring themes and entertainment to innovative menu selections, gourmet hors d’oeuvres and fine wines. We will delight you with a wide variety of floral and room decorations, place settings, linens, photo opportunities, gift ideas, and so much more. Whatever the event, large or small, our goal is to make your event very special, indeed.