Questions to ask catering halls

Crashing......here's an awesome list that I used

Found this on the site:

QUESTIONS:

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?

Is the hall handicap accessible?


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
Can I have my own cake cutter?


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.

Welcome and congrats!!!! That is a great comprehensive list that Lsorrent posted above.

Do you know what halls you're interested in checking out yet??

We are going tomorrow to look at the crescent beach club in bayville. I also want to check out the venetian yacht club in babylon. Basically I want to look at anything on the water lol... we are thinking april, may or sept october 2011.. still flexible on dates... but I would like a saturday night. I said that if I fell in love with a place and couldn't afford the saturday night, i would change to a friday... but only if i LOVED the place lol
anyone look at any nice halls by the water? :)

Those are all very nice places!! One more place by the water that you should check out is Old Field Club. That is where I am booked! It is beautiful...very simple and elegant. It is also very different and doesn't look like a typical RH. They only have one wedding per day so you can choose your ceremony/reception start time. They are $110pp for a Friday or Sunday and $130pp for a Saturday. I believe their minimum number of guests for Friday or Sunday is 100 and for Saturday it's 120. It is located in Setauket (which is near Stonybrook)...so it's a little further out than the other places you're checking out...but it's definitely worth a look! Here is their website:

Old Field Club

Good luck!!

Laura already posted a good list but here was my 'venue cheat sheet' of questions LOL:

Venue:
Cost per person for a ___ minimum?
Does that include tax and gratuity?:
Is there a separate fee for having the ceremony? How much?:
How do you handle vendor meals?
Whats included in that cost? (Chairs, Bows, Linens, Candles, Tips, Decorations, etc.):
What is not included in that cost?
If linens are included, what are our choices?
Menus and Options: (get materials to keep and review)
Could we arrange for a tasting of the foods we are interested in prior to hiring?
When do we do a food tasting?
Can there be a price deduction if we only want only wine and champagne served?
Which vendors do you require we use?
What is the charge to bring in our own vendors?
Do you handle table settings, place cards and favors?
Is there a charge for set up of DIY items, such as centerpieces or flowers?
Would there be added charges for homemade desserts brought in?
Charges for ceremony decorations?
Charges for upgrades on cake?
Cutting Fee?
Can we work with someone in the design/look of our cake?
Does someone here act as a wedding coordinator or banquet manager? What services do they provide?
Who will be our main contact and will they be with us the day of?
How many functions will be there that day?
Will we have photo usage of the gardens?
Cancellation/Payment Info – Do you take credit card payments?
Parking?
Restrooms?
Is there a bridal suite?
Extra Comments/Thoughts: (+pros/-cons) about appearance and service

Great list! We are pricing places out this week too and I'm printing this list out to take with me!!

My friend just got married at Crescent Beach Club this past July. The view during the CH was gorgeous. She also had a steal drum band outside during the CH to go with the beach theme.

I really like the WaterView Club in Bayville (right next to it) but it can't accommodate the amount of people we are going to have.

Besides WaterView, Sans Souci is another place I've been to that's on the water.

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Posted by ellie424

Those are all very nice places!! One more place by the water that you should check out is Old Field Club. That is where I am booked! It is beautiful...very simple and elegant. It is also very different and doesn't look like a typical RH. They only have one wedding per day so you can choose your ceremony/reception start time. They are $110pp for a Friday or Sunday and $130pp for a Saturday. I believe their minimum number of guests for Friday or Sunday is 100 and for Saturday it's 120. It is located in Setauket (which is near Stonybrook)...so it's a little further out than the other places you're checking out...but it's definitely worth a look! Here is their website:

Old Field Club

Good luck!!

---

Thanks Ellie - I dont mind where the hall is honestly. i dont live that far from steauket. what is their capacity though. we are going to have a lot of people... and i dont want to feel crammed in! I will definitely check out the site! Thanks!!!

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Posted by Lil OC

Great list! We are pricing places out this week too and I'm printing this list out to take with me!!

My friend just got married at Crescent Beach Club this past July. The view during the CH was gorgeous. She also had a steal drum band outside during the CH to go with the beach theme.

I really like the WaterView Club in Bayville (right next to it) but it can't accommodate the amount of people we are going to have.

Besides WaterView, Sans Souci is another place I've been to that's on the water.

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We were going to check out the water view as well but we have the same problem as far as the # of people. it is too small. isn't the sans souci smaller too?

mermaid - same problem with the reveria.... too small.. lol that's what's narrowing down our choices a lot.

I ahve been to the Bayview house in CAptain bills in Bay Shore and that's very nice too... but I have been there twice alone last summer (for friend's weddings) and I was looking for something different - a different place I mean.. thats why we haven't looked there yet...


are any of those months generally cheaper than the others does anyone know (april, may, spet, oct) ??

I'd go with the list above..

Welcome and Congrats!!!!

Thank you!!

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Posted by mrsq2be

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Posted by ellie424

Those are all very nice places!! One more place by the water that you should check out is Old Field Club. That is where I am booked! It is beautiful...very simple and elegant. It is also very different and doesn't look like a typical RH. They only have one wedding per day so you can choose your ceremony/reception start time. They are $110pp for a Friday or Sunday and $130pp for a Saturday. I believe their minimum number of guests for Friday or Sunday is 100 and for Saturday it's 120. It is located in Setauket (which is near Stonybrook)...so it's a little further out than the other places you're checking out...but it's definitely worth a look! Here is their website:

Old Field Club

Good luck!!

---

Thanks Ellie - I dont mind where the hall is honestly. i dont live that far from steauket. what is their capacity though. we are going to have a lot of people... and i dont want to feel crammed in! I will definitely check out the site! Thanks!!!

---

The max Old Field Club holds is about 160 people. It would probably be really tight with 160 though...145-150 would probably seat more comfortably.

Hey--- I found this on a website and I brought it with me to all of the RH... It helped keep me organized!

bring this with you


When you ready to sign a contract -- check this link out! 411 for contract


CONGRATS AND GOOD LUCK!