Tag Archives: Wedding Reception

Set Your Sites High!

Posted on by

1

One of the most nerve racking decisions regarding your wedding pertains to your reception; more specifically, where it will be held. Consider the following before you book a reception location to ensure you’ve made the best selection for your big day.

  • After you and your hubby to be set your wedding date, create a tentative guest list for a rough estimate of the number of people you’ll need to have room for. A location for 50 will be completely different than one for guests of 300!
  • Immediately after you determine a headcount, begin to research & book a location as soon as possible. The sooner the better! You will be surprised how fast venues get booked. The longer you wait, the more frustration you’ll be hit with as you find yourself crossing your favorite locations off your preferred list.
  • You’ll notice reception site costs can add up quickly, depending on the formality, the menu and the location itself. Most sites that include catering charge between $25 to $250 per plate. Sites that do not include catering charge flat fees that can range from $1,000 to $10,000 or more.
  • You can save money by getting married in months other than June, July, August, September or October. You’ll save even more money if you can avoid a Saturday night reception. Fridays and Sundays are often less expensive due to a lower booking demand.
  • If you’re contemplating an ”out of the ordinary” reception location such as an art gallery or aquarium, keep in mind that although these are unique settings, you’ll have to handle many more details yourself,  compared to a location that already has a party plan in place.
  • If you’ve decided on holding your wedding and/or reception at home (yours or someone else’s) to save money, be mindful that you’ll likely have to rent items that would normally be provided for you at a hotel or banquet hall. Such items can prove to be costly.
  • Holding your reception at a hotel can provide some money-saving perks. If many of your guests  stay at the said hotel, you may get a discount for bringing in business, so be sure to negotiate. You may find yourself with an upgrade to the honeymoon suite at no extra charge.