Newbie Needs Suggestions

I am a new future -- been engaged about a week now...we have made appointments to view three difference ceremony/reception locations (we are doing the whole shebang at the same place) and am wondering -- what kinds of things should I ask for? I know to ask price, options, what's included and all that, but in the 'bargaining' part of it, what kinds of extras should I try to have thrown in? Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. Obviously, we'd like to get as much as we can for the per person price.

Thanks again!

Just keep trying to get stuff added in! make sure you get everything in writting. What places are you looking at?

CONGRATS ON YOUR ENGAGEMENT! Welcome to the addiction

Welcome and congratulations!!! I dont know much about bargaining with the reception place..but I knwo some times places will throw in extras , like the vienese table.etc.
One thing to know is some places include the centerpieces and cake. so consider that when weighing out your options..I am saving a fortune because my centerpieces are included,,they are simple but exctly what I wanted.
Im sorry Im not much help..teh girls on here will probably hav better advice than what I have..I just wanted to say WELCOME and congratulations on yoru engagement!!

congratulations!
and welcome!
where are you looking?
we got red and white eine for each table added, and a cappuchino/espresso machine for the dessert hour
it's tough becuse when you go - there is so much to take in - the menues are pages and pages long - you just have to stay focused and get everything in writing!!
good luck
and have fun!!!

Thanks to you all for your suggestions...I am so new at this...and especially thanks for the warm welcome...congrats to you all, too!

We have appointments to look at The Vineyard Caterers, Riviera at Massapequa, and Huntington Harbor Club. We are having a larger wedding than I had originally expected (fiance has a very large family), so every $$$ really counts since the list is over 200 already.

I will do my best to negotiate a few extras (though I realize that at Riviera, everything is pretty much included anyway)...fortunately, we are very flexible in the time line, which should help.

Anyway, ladies, thanks again for helping me out. I really appreciate it.

Congrats!
The Harbor Club is amazing but pricy if you are looking to save a few dollars. I am having my reception at John Anthony's which is under the same ownership as the Harbor Club but not as much money (about 15 dollars a head cheaper if I remember)
They are all on the water so you could look at John Anthony's also
good luck

Congratulations!!!

Sabella was my poppie's last name...

Congrats and Welcome. we are getting married off site, but these are some of the questions we asked:
Date Availability
Price differnce fore dif days
Contact Person
Max/Min# of guests
Reception site fee
Overtime charges
Price Range for a Seated vs. buffet dinner
Veg. Meals Available
Cake Cutting Fee
Ratio of Servers to Guests
Reception Time Frame
Music/Alcohol Restrictions
Table and Room Decorations Available
Linen colors
Changing room
Handicap Accesibility
Parking Fee
Payment Policy
Are Credit Cards Accepted
How many weddings at once
When is the next and previous wedding booked
When is the final headcount needed
Outside Availability
What is included in the price per head
Food Tasting
Prices for Vendors eating and children
Cancellation Policy
Does the cocktail area have enough room for your amount of guests.

Hope this helps. We ran through each of these questions and when we left FH and I immediately made a list of Pros and Cons for each place in the car. I recorded all of the answers in a notebook for future reference. This cut down on a lot of time and trouble. Good Luck

make sure you find out if they provide 'hospitality' for your guests while they are arriving and before the ceremony. My reception hall will be serving champagne for hospitality.

Congratulations on your engagement and Welcome to the boards!

Thanks again to everyone for all the awesome suggestions...I have now quite a list of things to clarify/specify and things to wheedle out of them! I will also be sure to look into John Anthony's as well. I've also read some mixed things about Riviera and am concerned...it's kind of the front-runner right now due to price, but I've read on these boards that it's smaller than advertised...we're looking at approx. 200 to show at the wedding and would hate to book something too small. Do you think it's okay for me to ask to see what the layout would be like for a wedding that size?

Thanks again for all the advice, and the warm welcome...

welcome and congratulations on your engagement