When looking for a RH....

We are looking this weekend at a few RH's - what are the types of questions we should be asking when looking/booking a RH? Want to be prepared... thoughts??

What is included in the price
How much are vendors
How many weddings at a time

How much the cost is per person...whats the difference between a day/night wedding? Does that include tax/gratituity?
What time does cocktail hour start?
How many options for entrees do guests have?
Are kids less money? (If you're having them)
How much do you have to pay for vendors?
How many weddings go on at once?
Do they take special orders if someone has a food allergy etc?
Is valet parking included?

what is the minimum number of guests.
How many people does the room hold.
is there a site fee if you want to get married at the RH?

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Posted by SummerBride10

How much the cost is per person...whats the difference between a day/night wedding? Does that include tax/gratituity?
What time does cocktail hour start?
How many options for entrees do guests have?
Are kids less money? (If you're having them)
How much do you have to pay for vendors?
How many weddings go on at once?
Do they take special orders if someone has a food allergy etc?
Is valet parking included?

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I honestly think you covered every question to ask LOL

here was my question list for all the rh

1. WHAT DATES IN (your month) ARE AVAILABLE?

2. HOW MANY PARTIES OCCUR AT A TIME? ARE ANY SPACES SHARED?

3. WHAT IS THE PRICE/PERSON AND WHAT DOES THAT INCLUDE?

3B. WHAT LIQUOR IS INCLUDED AND WHAT IS EXTRA?

3C. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN PRICE FOR SATURDAY VERSUS SUNDAY?

3C. HOW LONG WILL THE PARTY BE?

4. WHAT IS THE MINIMUM GUARANTEED FOR EACH ROOM?

5. WHAT IS THE STAFF TO GUEST/TABLE RATIO?

6. WHERE IS THE COCKTAIL HOUR HELD?

7. IS THERE A BRIDAL SUITE?

7B. WILL FOOD FROM THE COCKTAIL HOUR BE AVAILABLE IN THE BRIDAL SUITE?

8. WILL THERE BE COATROOM, BATHROOM AND PARKING ATTENDANTS? DO THEY COST EXTRA?

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR OUTSIDE VENDORS?

10. IS THERE ACESSIBILITY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES?

11. ARE THERE ACCOMODATIONS FOR GUESTS NEARBY? DO YOU PROVIDE ANY TYPE OF SHUTTLE SERVICE?

12. WHERE CAN WE TAKE PICTURES ON THE GROUNDS IN FEBRUARY?



13. WHAT IS YOUR PAYMENT SCHEDULE? WHEN IS FINAL PAYMENT DUE?



14. WHAT IS YOUR CANCELATION POLICY?

adding some more:


Find out the start and end time
how much to add extras
CHAIR COVERS (some halls charge extra for chair covers)
number ofbridal attendants
how many bars in the room
is it top shelf liquor
is the cake included
how many waiters per table
are placecards and menus included

everyone pretty much got the big ones out of the way, here are some details:

1) Tied into any vendors?

2) Cake cutting/corkage fees? (you never know!)

3) # of waiters per table

4) White glove service?

5) direction cards included?

6) What happens if there's any reason you need to cancel?

7) Bathroom attendants with basket included?

8) are there separate facilites for each wedding party?

dont hate me for this...I stole it from the 07 boards a LONGGGG time ago...I printed it out and filled it in after every RH appointment!!




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:

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Posted by rocketsummer17

dont hate me for this...I stole it from the 07 boards a LONGGGG time ago...I printed it out and filled it in after every RH appointment!!
Notes:

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Holy Crap Gaby you were organized!!! Doesn't matter you stole it from another board but I am impressed!!!

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Posted by mosh424

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Posted by rocketsummer17

dont hate me for this...I stole it from the 07 boards a LONGGGG time ago...I printed it out and filled it in after every RH appointment!!
Notes:

---

Holy Crap Gaby you were organized!!! Doesn't matter you stole it from another board but I am impressed!!!

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Its either organized or OCD...either way worked for me!!! Cant say I still have these papers anywhere...once we moved i misplaced ALOT of wedding stuff from the other places we had seen...

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Posted by rocketsummer17

dont hate me for this...I stole it from the 07 boards a LONGGGG time ago...I printed it out and filled it in after every RH appointment!!




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:

---

Like, Gaby (again!) I stole this list, and asked EVERY question. Some banquet managers got kind of annoyed, but we were spending a lot of money... they got over it!

Make sure they don't try and put the Maitre 'Ds tip on the bill. My RH tried to pull a fast one on me and add $4pp on the contract.

Find out if there is a service fee plus a extra for tax and tip. Some places get their food from outside vendors, and they charge 18% 'service fee' then add 18% gratuity and then tax.

Also - see if you can negotiate extras at a flat rate instead of a pp rate. Some places like to say things are $3pp, but the room minimum is 100. If you are having 150 guests, see if you can have the extras at a flat rate of $300.