Questions to ask the reception site

Looking at a few places this week, what other things should I ask besides the typical max, guarantee, pp vendors etc

Re: Questions to ask the reception site

what if I dont meet my min..what do they do?
Is there a cake cutting fee if you use a cake not made by them?
Overtime charges in case you want to add time at the end of th enight

Re: Questions to ask the reception site

FM Divabride... I think it was her that had a great list of what to ask.

From what I can remember from my list, here's a few:

-- how much is overtime

-- will they provide a bathroom attendant

-- do the bartenders and bathroom attendants put tip jars out and can you tip them in advance so they DON'T do that

-- how many maitre'd's, captains, and bridal attendants will you have (you may be surprised by this, and remember you have to tip all these people!)

-- how early can your guests begin to arrive

-- will you let me do a tasting before I book? (INSIST on a tasting -- even if you have to give a deposit first, make sure it's 100% refundable after the tasting... and the tasting should be scheduled very soon after the booking)

-- what is the cancellation/postponement policy

-- do you include any floral arrangements in the cocktail hour, bathrooms, etc?

-- are open flames allowed? (if you want candles)

-- if there is more than one wedding at a time held there: how do they make sure two brides never see each other and that the guests don't get confused or lost

Good luck, have fun, and haggle haggle haggle!!

Re: Questions to ask the reception site

how many waitstaff? how many hosts/hostesses?

will they refill drinks or are guests expected to go to the bar?

a big question for us: tell us NOW what all of the possible extras will be once we decide to pick a menu. Which items cost extra and how much? By asking this we learned about various cocktail hour options and desserts. Once we asked, we were given many more options than we expected, some of them were really rare and interesting ideas!!!! Also, we wrote a contract that states the prices for some of the extras to be added at our option once we decide (a few weeks before the wedding, we can decide to add things at a pre-determined price).

what brands of liquor?

remember, if you look at a place and you like it, if you give yourself time to think about it, you cal always call with more questions.

Re: Questions to ask the reception site

Thanks a lot! I printed some of your questions out and will be sure to ask when I go! Believe it or not I already have appointments next week!!

Re: Questions to ask the reception site

- How much is the deposit and what is the method of payment? (i.e. cash, credit card)

- How much is it per plate for vendors? children?

- Do you have any required vendors? (usually the florist if they do have a required vendor)

- Do you provide a cake?

- What time can I get here to start taking pictures? Get ready (if you're getting ready there)

- Ask to see pictures of the place set up for a wedding!

Have fun

Re: Questions to ask the reception site

Thanks! My head is spinning so many ideas and so little time!!

Re: Questions to ask the reception site

It is good to also ask if it is possible to see the room set up for a wedding. You may also want to ask about seating for cocktail hour, I know that too little seating for guests can be a problem.

Re: Questions to ask the reception site

Re: Questions to ask the reception site

kdrainey..... You are good!!!!

Re: Questions to ask the reception site

Thanks very thorough!

Re: Questions to ask the reception site

OMG i didnt think of all of that, now im second guessing myself. Oh well took mom and she had a lot to ask, guess its good enough:)

Re: Questions to ask the reception site

WOW kdrainey!

You should be a wedding planner! I would have hired you

Re: Questions to ask the reception site

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Posted by wood2be

WOW kdrainey!

You should be a wedding planner! I would have hired you

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Re: Questions to ask the reception site

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Posted by MrsMichel07

kdrainey..... You are good!!!!

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Re: Questions to ask the reception site

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Posted by JAIME

Thanks very thorough!

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Re: Questions to ask the reception site

I had a few BM's ask where I 'copied' the list of questions.

FI was the one who told them all that I made it myself.

Re: Questions to ask the reception site

My #1 question would be do they charge tax on the 'service charge' or what most of us consider a gratuity?

In our case (and I think most halls do it...) they did. It is not a huge amount of money and wouldn't have made us not book them, but we only found this out when the last payment was due, less than a week before the wedding. At that point, you are shelling out so much money already that $100-300 dollars extra that you hadn't planned for can be an inconvenience.

Re: Questions to ask the reception site

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Posted by JimmysBride

FM Divabride... I think it was her that had a great list of what to ask.

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Thanks Sondra!!!!
I made a bunch of lists when I was interviewing vendors and everyone was asking for a copy. To make it easier for everyone, I threw them on my website. There's also a bunch of checklists too.

Bridal Diva

Re: Questions to ask the reception site

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Posted by kdrainey

This is my list that I took to most of the halls. I also took my digital camera.

NAME OF HALL:

Dates Available:
Capacity:
Minimum for room:
How much are vendor meals?
Are kids half price?
What ages?
Any limit on number of ½ price kids?
Vendors included in minimum?
Are kids included in minimum?
How early can bridal party arrive:
What time will ceremony begin?
Ceremony fee?
Ceremony location:
Can we have a rehearsal the night before?
If not, when?
When can vendors arrive to set up?
Bridal Suite size & location:
Number of Concurrent Events:
If more than one event: separate bathroom facilities?
Is Champagne Included throughout the reception?
Liquor – top shelf? (Names?)
Are candles allowed?
In-house Wedding Planner?
Photography/Florist – recommendations?
Can we use others vendors?
Any fee for outside vendors?
Insurance requirements for vendors?
Does hall need proof of insurance?
Wedding Cake included?
Any limitations on flavors/fillings?
Cake cutting charge?
Number of Entrée Options
Can we have a tasting
When is final menu picked?
Any decorations included
Centerpieces/Cocktail hour tables?
Do we get a credit if not using centerpieces? How much?
Linen colors:
Ratio of Guests/Servers:
What will waiters wear?
Bridal attendant included?
Number of Bars and Bartenders
Coat Room and Rest Room Attendants?
Is cost included?
Table Size (number):
Table shape:
Maximum Number of Tables for room:
Valet – included or additional?
Dimensions of Dance Floor:
Dimensions of Room:
Separate Cocktail Room:
Overtime charges:
Gratuity – is it a set fee? Is it distributed amongst all of the workers?
Service charge % (number):
Is service charge taxed:
Hotel recommendations:
Direction cards provided? (get a copy for file)
Deposit amount
Method of payment:
Payment schedule and is a courtesy reminder sent?
Any tasting events or showcases before we book?
Can we see photos of hall in different seasons (get copies for file)
Timing for final head count
Can we upgrade if under minimum (no wasted dinners) i.e., cordials or upgrade entrees?
Cancellation and refund policy:
Smoking area?
Any renovations planned?
What/When?
Expected completion date?
Do not forget to check out the bathrooms:
***Take digital pics of the rooms and grounds for file

Add any Notes about this hall?

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Wow what a list!