Questions to ask catering halls

Hi all fellow brides and future brides!

I just got engaged recently and are going to start visiting some of Long Island's wedding venues Congrats to others recently engaged!

Questions:

I am looking for a venue where they are really hospitable from start to finish. I hope some of the LIW vendors will be that way. I am afraid some of halls at first meeting may just be trying to make a sale.

What questions should I ask the hall before I should even consider booking a wedding there?

I am so new to this, so any help would be soooo appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Congratulations.

Here's a list I used:
What type of hall or social rooms are available?
What is the maximum number their room can accommodate?
What is the fee?
For how many hours?
Are there overtime charges?
What is included?
Do they provide tables, chairs, linens, china and silver?
Is there any additional fee?
Are there certain days of the week, or times of the day, when the price is discounted?
Can the site be used for both the ceremony and reception?
Can you use your own caterer or is there an in-house caterer that must be used?
Are there music restrictions concerning the type of music or length of time it may be played?
Is there a piano, or other musical instruments, at the site? Is there a charge to use them?
Are there regulations on photography or video taping?
Are there rooms available for the bride, groom and attendants to change into wedding attire or going-away clothes?
Are there restrictions on alcohol?
May hard liquor, beer, wine or champagne be served?
May you provide your own liquor?
With wine or champagne, is there a corkage fee?
If they provide the liquor, what is the per drink or per person charge?
Is there an adequate kitchen?
Is there a dance floor?
Do they provide a microphone?
If outside, are there heaters and lights?
If not, is there sufficient electrical power available to use them there?
Are there adequate restroom facilities?
Is liability insurance, including liquor liability, included in the rental fee?
Do they provide a coat check?
What is the fee, if any?
Do they have adequate parking?
Is there an additional fee?
What is the deposit?
What is the cancellation policy?
If reception is to be in a garden, can the area be tented?
Is there an alternative location that can accommodate the guests in the event of bad weather?
With a private reception site, do neighbors, police or security companies need to be notified?
Is there a special area for guests to wait for the arrival of the bride and groom?
Is there a good location for the receiving line, guest book and gift tables?
Is a security deposit required?
If so, how much?
When is it refunded?
Is the clean-up included in the rental fee?

These were the questions we asked. Hope it helps!

Do you serve Kosher food/ Kosher style?

Ceremony venue? What’s the cost? Do you have a chuppah? What is the cost? If outdoor what if it rains?

How many weddings at a time?

Do you share bridal suite?

How much is for children?

How much for dj/photo, etc?

How early can we come to take pictures?

What time can the Dj/flowers come?

Wheelchair accessible?

Special diet—vegan/vegertarian

Valet parking??

Wait staff—attire, how many

Bar—open, top shelf liquor, open entire time

Cake choices/ included

Final count needed

If bad weather (i.e. snow)

How much for extra time needed

Indoor vs outdoor venues (i.e. cocktail hours)

If we use your vendors price cut


Do you have a bridal attendant? Are they there all day?

If we have a special request food can you accommodate?

How much of deposit? What is the payment plan?

All of those questions in the previous posts are excellent. You might also want to ask them what happens if you don't make your mininum. SOme halls will let you upgrade the CH menu and some will only split the difference with you (that's what mine did). It's not a problem if you make your mininum or are over, but just in case it doesn't hurt to be prepared....also ask if the RH does tastings. Some don't...the food was very important to me and FH so we only considered Rhs that did tastings. :)
Before you book your RH ask brides on here what their experiences were with that particular hall...just to make sure

GL and welcome to the boards

Welcome & Congrats!
This was my list of q's:

-How big is the dance floor?


-How many people per table?


-How many parties do you have going on at the same time?


-How do pictures look when taken in here? Does the glass interfere?



-What does it look like in the fall? Are there pictures that we can see?



-Would we be permitted to arrive early and take pictures before the cocktail hour?



-Are there any hidden food costs? (Shrimp, Filet Mignon, etc.)



-If/when are we able to have a food tasting? Before/after booking?



-Are there any specific vendors that we are required to use?



-Is there a minimum that we need to guarantee? What is that minimum?



-Could we see a breakdown of costs?



-Does the price include linens?



-Does the price include cake?



-Is it all top shelf liquor?



-Is a champagne toast included?



-Is there Valet Parking included?



-Do you do a Venetian or Viennese hour? What is included?



-Do you do overtime or extended hours?



-How much do you charge for kids? What age is considered a child?



-Are kids included in the minimum?



-Are there different prices for different months? October, November, first week in December.




-Are there any discounted days in our time frame?



-Can we negotiate the price if we have a higher guarantee?



-Can we negotiate elements of the menu?



-What is the required deposit? What is the payment plan?



-When is the deposit used?



-What forms of payment do you accept?



-How much is gratuity and tax?



-When should we book by to ensure a mid-late fall date?



-Is there a private cocktail hour available for bridal party?


-Is there music at the cocktail hour?


-Vendors included in minimum? Full charge?


-Are there floral arrangements already there?


-What are the decorations on table?


-What is centerpiece? Is that included?


-Do the Matre’D and DJ work together to run the party?


-How is food brought out? Presentation of main entrée?


-Is it white glove?


-Is there a kid’s menu?


-Is there a ladies’ room attendant?


-Can you do a combo course?

The other respondents covered pretty much everything but additional questions would be:

How many tables per server? (we wanted one table per server so everyone gets their food at roughly the same time)

Does the server take drink orders at the table or do people need to go to the bar?

Make sure you're comfortable that the cuisine will fit your crowd (we're Italian and we went with a place that 'got' the food we wanted, and wouldn't serve the fake Italian!)

Where and how will the place accommodate guests who may arrive earlier than the start time?

If there's more than one wedding at one time, will the crowds ever cross each other?

What is the flow like from one room to another (i.e. cocktail hour room to reception room)?

What time will the dinner itself be served (how many people complain about weddings where the main course doesn't come out until 11:30!)

What is the cost to feed vendors?

If any part will be outdoors, when is the latest you could decide whether it will be indoor or out (can you hold off until the day of to decide)

Beyond all of these concrete answers, it's also important to trust your gut. Some places just feel 'right' and others dont. Good luck and keep us updated!

Thanks sooo much....Im adding this to one sheet, because I am going to my first one today!!!!

Wish me luck! :)