Help! Booking a hall soon! what to look out for!

Hi ladies..

Need advice... FH & I have an appt at Russo's... (We don't have anything booked as of yet!)

If things go well, we plan to book on the spot...

Anyone have any tips/advice?

What to look out for?

What to make sure to ask?

Any techniques to get them to lower their prices/head count minimums?

We are on a budget!

That sort of thing!

TIA ladies!!! You are the best!!

Heh we booke don the spot too-we saw like 4 places and then our florist reccomended the one I wanted all along so we went there and it worked with our budget.

Well make sure you ask about the price differences. Saturday nights will always be the most expensive-sometimes as much as 2x what a SUnday morning or Friday night could cost you for the SAME thing. So check that out. If you could swing a Friday or Thursday night wedding, those are usually much cheaper as well. We did Sunday morning and it was literally half of what saturday was.

Ask about your cake. is it included? what are your options?

Do they have a bridal suite if you plan to get ready at the hall? (We are having wedding ceremony at our hall so that was a priority for us)

Will someone be assigned to you the day of to help you set everythign up? Usually someone is.

What is your minimum requirement? VERY IMPORTANT!!!!! They lowered ours from 80 to 70 so be polite and cheery and sometimes they will work with you even more than usual :)

1. Room Dimensions/Dance Floor Dimensions:
2. Max # of people the room holds:
3. Tables – what shape?
4. # of guests per table:
5. How many affairs at a time:
6. Ratio of waiters to guests:
7. Recommended gratuity – is it included?
8. Valet – included?
9. Discount for vendor meals?
10. Bridal suite available?
11. Bathrooms attendants provided? If there is more than one party at a time, does each party get their own bathroom?
12. Renovations planned? If so, what are the estimated dates of start/finish:
13. Photo’s of facility in different seasons available:
14. Menu options – packages, # of courses, additions, substitutions:
15. Wedding Cake – included?:
16. Flowers – included? For cocktail hour or reception?:
17. Place Cards / Direction Cards – provided?:
18. Installments/Payment Plans - What are the options. Are you sent a payment reminder?:
19. Type of payment accepted- Cash, Credit Card, Check.
20. Separate cocktail area?
21. Do they offer tastings?
22. Cake cutting fee?
23. Smoking area available? How close is outside to reception room?:
24. Vendor recommendations:
25. Top shelf liquor? What are the brands?
26. Are you allowed to use candles?

If you plan on having your ceremony at the hall, find out what the ceremony fee is. It generally ranges from$500-$1000.

I recommend not booking on the spot... at least not if you want to get a deal or get them to come down in price. You're not likely to do that if you're so eager to sign the contract, you book on the spot. You should ask them to hold the date for you for a few days and then try to negotiate the price after that. I don't know anything about Russos, but your RH is your biggest expense -- so take time to think about it before you decide.

Have you visited any other RHs?

Here is the comprehensive question list:

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.]

i personally wouldnt book on the spot! Go in there act intersted in the place if you like it....get a price and ask all the aboved questions. Most halls throw in stuff so get whatever you can!!! Then tell them you are tossed btw them and another hall (this is what i did) Then of course they ask who is their compation and they may ask ? like what you got from them (so you beef that up) or price (you low ball that a lil) and you normally win that way. Then say you want to go to lunch or dinner and discuss it and make your final decision and will be back. When they know they have you there and about to sign theres no reason for them to give you extras!! So def play it off