For all the newbies! Qs to ask reception halls before booking!!!

Hall:


Date Visited:


Contact:


Phone #:


Address:


Dates Available:


Capacity:


Minimum for room:


Table Size (number):


Table shape:


Maximum Number of Tables for room:


Dimensions of Dance Floor:


Dimensions of Room:


Separate Cocktail Room:



How early can bridal party arrive?


When can vendors arrive to set up?


Bridal Suite size & location:


Number of Concurrent Events:


If more than one event: separate bathroom facilities?


Liquor – top shelf? (Names?)


Is Champagne included throughout the reception?


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 for outside cakes? If so ask that it be reduced or eliminated


Number of Entrée Options:


Can we have a tasting?


When is final menu picked?


Any decorations included?


Do we get a credit if not using centerpieces? How much?


Linen colors:


Ratio of Guests/Servers:


Bridal attendant included?


Number of Bars and Bartenders:


Coat Room and Rest Room Attendants?


Is cost included?


Valet – included or additional?


Overtime charges:


Price per person:


How much are vendor meals?


Are kids half price?


What ages?


Any limit on number of half price kids?


Vendors included in minimum?


Are kids included in minimum?


Gratuity/service charge – is it a set fee? Is it distributed amongst all of the workers?


grat/Service charge % (number):


Is grat/service charge taxed:


Hotel recommendations:


Church 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?



WEATHER QUESTIONS (if it will be Winter!):

Plowing?

Cancellation policy due to extreme weather?



***Do not forget to check out the bathrooms:
***Take digital pics of the rooms and grounds for file.

Notes:



[A big thank you to akaMrsT for many of these Qs.]

Re: For all the newbies! Qs to ask reception halls before booking!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I had no idea where to start!!!

Re: For all the newbies! Qs to ask reception halls before booking!!!

you're very welcome - i have a LOT of questions on there, but I just didn't want to wonder about anything after we left the meeting!

Re: For all the newbies! Qs to ask reception halls before booking!!!

Great list. Vendors gotta love me when I come for appts. I carry my big wedding planner book which comes with all necessary questions. Don't mess with me

Re: For all the newbies! Qs to ask reception halls before booking!!!

bump for the nighttime newbies.

Print this! I'm not kidding

Re: For all the newbies! Qs to ask reception halls before booking!!!

---

Posted by Shorty McBride

Hall:


Date Visited:


Contact:


Phone #:


Address:


Dates Available:


Capacity:


Minimum for room:


Table Size (number):


Table shape:


Maximum Number of Tables for room:


Dimensions of Dance Floor:


Dimensions of Room:


Separate Cocktail Room:



How early can bridal party arrive?


When can vendors arrive to set up?


Bridal Suite size & location:


Number of Concurrent Events:


If more than one event: separate bathroom facilities?


Liquor – top shelf? (Names?)


Is Champagne included throughout the reception?


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 for outside cakes? If so ask that it be reduced or eliminated


Number of Entrée Options:


Can we have a tasting?


When is final menu picked?


Any decorations included?


Do we get a credit if not using centerpieces? How much?


Linen colors:


Ratio of Guests/Servers:


Bridal attendant included?


Number of Bars and Bartenders:


Coat Room and Rest Room Attendants?


Is cost included?


Valet – included or additional?


Overtime charges:


Price per person:


How much are vendor meals?


Are kids half price?


What ages?


Any limit on number of half price kids?


Vendors included in minimum?


Are kids included in minimum?


Gratuity/service charge – is it a set fee? Is it distributed amongst all of the workers?


grat/Service charge % (number):


Is grat/service charge taxed:


Hotel recommendations:


Church 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?



WEATHER QUESTIONS (if it will be Winter!):

Plowing?

Cancellation policy due to extreme weather?



***Do not forget to check out the bathrooms:
***Take digital pics of the rooms and grounds for file.

Notes:



[A big thank you to akaMrsT for many of these Qs.]

---

Re: For all the newbies! Qs to ask reception halls before booking!!!

wow!! sp helpful! Thank you so much!

Re: For all the newbies! Qs to ask reception halls before booking!!!

BUMPY

for those V-Day fiancees

CONGRATS!

Re: For all the newbies! Qs to ask reception halls before booking!!!

great list!

Re: For all the newbies! Qs to ask reception halls before booking!!!

bumping

Re: For all the newbies! Qs to ask reception halls before booking!!!

Re: For all the newbies! Qs to ask reception halls before booking!!!

Awesome list. I didn't ask many of those questions because I didn't think of them. I still don't know the answer to a few of them. Time to get on the phone with my hall.

Re: For all the newbies! Qs to ask reception halls before booking!!!

i used a list very similiar to this when i visited my hall. my BM (who admitted to me he's a bit OCD) was actually quite impressed and happy about me asking all these q's! he was like 'you are the most prepared bride i've ever seen! i wish all brides were like this so i wouldn't receive the phone calls later on asking the questions they should have asked before!' lol

that's why i feel like if you visit a hall and the BM starts getting annoyed at your Q's...MOVE ON!

Re: For all the newbies! Qs to ask reception halls before booking!!!

OMG I LOVE YOU thanks so much for posting. . .I am notebooking this!

Re: For all the newbies! Qs to ask reception halls before booking!!!

Thanks for the list I would have never thought of those questions

Re: For all the newbies! Qs to ask reception halls before booking!!!

newbie bump

Re: For all the newbies! Qs to ask reception halls before booking!!!

Re: For all the newbies! Qs to ask reception halls before booking!!!

Re: For all the newbies! Qs to ask reception halls before booking!!!

Great Idea
So many questions I didnt think of

Re: For all the newbies! Qs to ask reception halls before booking!!!

Good info, thanks!