So what questions do I ask????

What do I ask when I go see the RH?????

Checklist #1

Questions to Ask Reception Halls:
1. Room Dimensions
2. Max # of people room holds
3. Tables – round, oval, square, rectangle, octagonal 4. # of persons per table
5. How many affairs at a time?
6. Wait staff per table?
7. Recommended Gratuity – above and beyond the included tax & tip
8. Valet Parking – included?
9. Vendor Dinner Price – ½ price of guests or set amount?
10. Do Vendors need insurance?
11. Bridal Suite – size, look

12. Bathrooms – how do they look? Where are they located (near reception room?)
13. Renovations Planned? – expected date of start/finish
14. Photo’s of facility in different seasons
15. Menu Options – packages, # of courses, additions, substitutions
16. Wedding Cake – included?
17. Flowers – included? For cocktail hour or reception?
18. Place Cards / Direction Cards – provided?
19. Installments/Payment Plans – do you send courtesy reminder?
20. Is there an affair before ours – time?

21. Type of Payments requires / schedule of payments - Cash, Credit Card, Check
22. Meeting the Maitre’d and Chef
23. Once we choose, discount or free dinner for us and parents
24. Any Tasting Events or Showcases before we book
25. Cake Cutting Service Charge?

26. Smoking room - available? Where is the outside compared to where reception is? You don’t want all your guests hanging outside all night if it’s far away
27. Recommendations / Advice from Event Planner

Checklist #2

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:
Price per person INCLUDING tax & gratuity:

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:

Checklist #3

here are some questions:

How many parties are going on at the same time?

what is the name and phone number of my contact person?

Will this person be there on the day of my wedding?

what dates and times are available?

minimum & maximum?

is there a reception site fee?

what is the price range for a day reception?

what is the price range for an evenging reception?

what is the price range for a friday night, saturday day, saturday night, sunday afternoon affair?

is there a corkage fee?

is there a cake cutting fee?

what is the ratio of servers to guests?

what are the music restrictions if any?

what are the alcohol restrictions if any?

what room and table decorations are available?

is there a handicap accesibility?

how many parking spaces are available?

what is the payment policy

what is the cancelation policy

are credit cards available

Checklist #4

NAME OF HALL:
Dates Available:
Capacity:
Minimum for room:
How much are vendor meals?
Are kids half price?
What ages?
Any limit on number of ½ price kids?
Vendors included in minimum?
Are kids included in minimum?
How early can bridal party arrive:
Can we have ceremony on site?
What time will ceremony begin?
Ceremony fee?
Ceremony location?
Length of aisle (for runner if using)?
Can we have a rehearsal the night before?
If not, when?
When can vendors arrive to set up?
Bridal Suite size & location:
Number of Concurrent Events:
If more than one event: separate bathroom facilities?
Is Champagne included throughout the reception?
Liquor – top shelf? (Names?)
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?
Number of Entrée Options
Can we have a tasting
When is final menu picked?
Any decorations included
Centerpieces/Cocktail hour tables?
Do we get a credit if not using centerpieces?
Linen colors:
Ratio of Guests/Servers:
What will waiters wear?
Bridal attendant included?
Number of Bars and Bartenders
Coat Room and Rest Room Attendants?
Is cost included?
Table Size (number):
Table shape:
Maximum Number of Tables for room:
Valet – included or additional?
Dimensions of Dance Floor:
Dimensions of Room:
Separate Cocktail Room:
Overtime charges:
Gratuity – is it a set fee? Is it distributed amongst all staff?
Service charge % (number):
Is service charge taxed:
Hotel 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?
Do not forget to check out the bathrooms:
***Take digital pics of the rooms and grounds for file

Add any Notes about this hall?

Checklist #6

1) How many people can you accomodate, and what is their minimum?
2) If there's a package what does that include and how much are add ons?
3) How many receptions do you have at one time?
4) If needed, what are their ceremony locations like?
5) Is there a bridal suite? (you may want a little time to yourself and a shared bathroom may not cut it)
6) Is there valet parking (for older guests) and is it included?
7) Is your cake included? (if you have to buy it on your own that can be a big expense)
8) What are their overtime charges if you run over the alloted time?
9) It may not be important to you, but what kind of liquor do they stock?

Checklist #5

? Dates Open (obviously)
? There is a difference in price from a Satruday night versus any other time, so if you love a place but the price is too much you may consider asking them what the prices are for other days
? What do they do if guests arrive before the start time
? Do you have access to a private bridal suite the whole time
? How many guests per server (ours is 15 guests for every server)
? How many bars
? What does the open bar include (champagne, wine, mixed/frozen drinks)
? Can they accommodate if someone needs a vegitarian meal (do they have to know in advance)
? Cost for OT (just in case)
? Minimum and Max guests
? Is the cake included? Do you have options with fillings, decorations
? When is the final head count due
? What is the cancellation policy (you never know)
? If you see the room on a Saturday you usually get to see it as they are setting up for a wedding (just an idea)
? If there are multiple weddings, do they offset the times so that each bride comes in at a different time? IE ours holds 2 weddings but our wedding is beginning at 7 so the other bride has to come in at either 6 or 8 they CANT begin at 6:30 because they off set the times by one hour
? Make sure you look at the bathroom, and ask if there is an attendant there the night of a wedding
? Will you have a personal bridal attendant
? Is the a Maitre D fee? Some charge 500 on top of your reception cost
? When do you come in to arrange your menu
? Are centerpeices included? If so, if you don’t like them do they give you an allowance for flowers

I had these saved in 'my notebook' from back when I was checking out RH's. I hope they're helpful to you!
I know a lot of the questions are repetitive, but this way you can look them over and pick & choose what questions are most important to you and your FH.

Good luck!!!!!!!!
Happy Hall Hunting!!!!!!!

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Posted by drpepper318

I had these saved in 'my notebook' from back when I was checking out RH's. I hope they're helpful to you!
I know a lot of the questions are repetitive, but this way you can look them over and pick & choose what questions are most important to you and your FH.

Good luck!!!!!!!!
Happy Hall Hunting!!!!!!!

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THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!!!!
I wish I could print these out but, of course the printer isn't work right now!!!
I'll be doing the old fashion way, pen and paper!