Choosing your reception site should be one of the first decisions you make when planning your wedding. The location you select will dictate many of the choices you have to make regarding your special day. The time of day, formality of your wedding gown, types of decorations, and style of menu are all influenced by where your reception is held. Some of the factors that will determine where to have your reception are availability, cost, the sites proximity to the ceremony, and how many people it will accommodate. You should book your site at least one year in advance. Consult with your officiant before settling on a wedding date and time. There may be restrictions that you need to be aware of. If youre considering a public location such as a park or garden check with the local parks association or town hall regarding any necessary permits. You should also check with power or cable companies prior to pitching reception tents in public areas to avoid interfering with buried cables. There are two basic types of reception sites. Hotels, country clubs, and restaurants all charge a per-person fee, which includes the facility, food and service. Large, opulent hotels offer a grand entrance, elaborate dcor, and the space for every reception size. They typically have an event manager to assist with planning and preparations and can tailor wedding packages to your individual needs. The availability of on-site accommodations is a convenience for your out-of-town guests. Its important to be flexible when considering a large hotel venue. There may be other receptions or business conventions going on at the same time you need to be willing to work around this when deciding on a room. Ask the event coordinator if they double-book and if there is a chance your reception could be moved to a different room at the last minute. Also make sure they have not booked events too close together you dont want your guests to have to wait for the room to be set up or feel like you are being rushed out when your time is up. Find out how much you will be charged if your reception runs overtime. As with everything Get your rental hours and the name of the room in writing! Other facilities, such as halls, clubs, museums, and parks or gardens charge a room rental fee and the food, equipment, and tableware must all be arranged for separately. Nows the time to take advantage of any country-club memberships, guild or alumni affiliations you or your family may have. Some of these organizations may have wonderful facilities that would be perfect for the size and style of your reception. How about a gallery. womens club or even your alma mater. Of course there is always the home wedding - which can create a lovely, personal atmosphere. But - its not always the budget-saver you might expect having to rent everything that a hotel or country club would provide can turn out to be a costly option. If you do decide to have your reception in a home there are several details to consider. You may want to hire a valet service to park cars so your guests wont have to walk a great distance. Dance floors are available for rental and can be set-up either indoors or outdoors. It may be necessary to provide rest-room facilities or port-o- sans near the reception area. Tents are definitely a good idea for backyard weddings and can be rented in different sizes and styles. Ideas for romantic outdoor weddings are endless - How about a national or city park, the grounds of a grand mansion or a country inn, an outdoor gazebo or poolside at a hotel. Botanical gardens and wineries are popular settings for a picturesque reception. A great idea for the couple considering an oceanfront wedding might be to rent a large beach-house for several days. Immediate family members could forego hotel accommodations and you will have your own private beachfront for the reception! As with any wedding that may be primarily outdoors make sure you have an alternate plan in case of rain or other weather dilemmas! Wherever you decide to celebrate this once in a lifetime occasion remember to plan all the details in advance - then relax and enjoy yourselves and the surroundings!
Choosing your reception site should be one of the first decisions you make when planning your wedding. The location you select will dictate many of the choices you have to make regarding your special day. The time of day, formality of your wedding gown, types of decorations, and style of menu are all influenced by where your reception is held.
Some of the factors that will determine where to have your reception are availability, cost, the sites proximity to the ceremony, and how many people it will accommodate.
You should book your site at least one year in advance.
Consult with your officiant before settling on a wedding date and time. There may be restrictions that you need to be aware of.
If youre considering a public location such as a park or garden check with the local parks association or town hall regarding any necessary permits. You should also check with power or cable companies prior to pitching reception tents in public areas to avoid interfering with buried cables.
There are two basic types of reception sites. Hotels, country clubs, and restaurants all charge a per-person fee, which includes the facility, food and service.
Large, opulent hotels offer a grand entrance, elaborate dcor, and the space for every reception size. They typically have an event manager to assist with planning and preparations and can tailor wedding packages to your individual needs. The availability of on-site accommodations is a convenience for your out-of-town guests.
Its important to be flexible when considering a large hotel venue. There may be other receptions or business conventions going on at the same time you need to be willing to work around this when deciding on a room. Ask the event coordinator if they double-book and if there is a chance your reception could be moved to a different room at the last minute. Also make sure they have not booked events too close together you dont want your guests to have to wait for the room to be set up or feel like you are being rushed out when your time is up. Find out how much you will be charged if your reception runs overtime. As with everything Get your rental hours and the name of the room in writing!
Other facilities, such as halls, clubs, museums, and parks or gardens charge a room rental fee and the food, equipment, and tableware must all be arranged for separately.
Nows the time to take advantage of any country-club memberships, guild or alumni affiliations you or your family may have. Some of these organizations may have wonderful facilities that would be perfect for the size and style of your reception. How about a gallery. womens club or even your alma mater.
Of course there is always the home wedding - which can create a lovely, personal atmosphere. But - its not always the budget-saver you might expect having to rent everything that a hotel or country club would provide can turn out to be a costly option.
If you do decide to have your reception in a home there are several details to consider. You may want to hire a valet service to park cars so your guests wont have to walk a great distance. Dance floors are available for rental and can be set-up either indoors or outdoors. It may be necessary to provide rest-room facilities or port-o- sans near the reception area. Tents are definitely a good idea for backyard weddings and can be rented in different sizes and styles.
Ideas for romantic outdoor weddings are endless - How about a national or city park, the grounds of a grand mansion or a country inn, an outdoor gazebo or poolside at a hotel. Botanical gardens and wineries are popular settings for a picturesque reception.
A great idea for the couple considering an oceanfront wedding might be to rent a large beach-house for several days. Immediate family members could forego hotel accommodations and you will have your own private beachfront for the reception!
As with any wedding that may be primarily outdoors make sure you have an alternate plan in case of rain or other weather dilemmas!
Wherever you decide to celebrate this once in a lifetime occasion remember to plan all the details in advance - then relax and enjoy yourselves and the surroundings!
