|
cause for
celebration
THIS IS THE DAY WHEN
TWO DREAMS BECOME ONE. WHETHER YOU’RE SHARING IT WITH 300 OR 25, THE KEY TO A
GREAT PARTY IS CHOOSING THE RIGHT LOCATION.
Whether you're
planning a gala event for 300 people or an afternoon gathering for 25, the list
of options is endless. Fine restaurants, hotels, catering halls and country
clubs are obvious places to begin. Their staffs will most likely be
professionals with years of wedding experience. Many of these facilities even
employ a full-time wedding consultant who can explain your options and help you
plan the event, start to finish.
To create
a reception that is uniquely yours, use your imagination when choosing a
location: check the availability of restored mansions, museums or galleries. If
you marry during a season of (somewhat) reliably good weather, lake sites,
beautiful gardens and arboretums can add beauty to any reception. Many public
parks and historic sites offer both indoor and outdoor facilities.
When
selecting a reception location, consider if there’s sufficient space for the
number of guests you plan to invite. Is the location convenient, and does it
offer adequate and accessible parking, among other concerns? Read on for an
overview of what to look for, and what questions to ask when scouting potential
spots.
GUEST-TI-MATE
To begin
planning your reception, first determine approximately how many guests will be
attending. Knowing approximately how many people you want to invite is crucial
when picking a location. It is also helpful to have some idea of the events
your reception will include. A spot that works for 150 for cake and punch might
only fit 75 for a sit-down dinner and a band.
GET THE
GENERAL IDEA
What
should you look for in your reception site, aside from that sense of rightness
you know you'll have the moment you see the perfect spot? You should be looking
for the same sorts of things you looked for in your mate -- charm, personality,
and depth.
When you
begin checking out potential sites, note how each location makes you feel the
instant you walk in whether it's relaxed, formal, and/or sophisticated. Take
along a list of what to look for -- in your head or on paper -- when you're
ready to go scouting.
COMPARISON
SHOPPING
Before you
begin comparing reception facilities - and prices - make sure that you've taken
the time to compare the sites themselves. Calling a possible reception site for
a price quote does not show you what you're getting for your money, therefore a
price quote over the phone is not a fair way to compare sites.
In fact,
many reception halls and facilities would rather not quote prices over the
phone because it does not accurately portray everything included. On the other
hand, some facilities may purposely low ball the initial price just to get you
interested in their facility and then start adding on to the price when
discussing specifics for your reception.
If price
shopping alone - buyer beware! Consider
the food choices: Does the quoted menu consist of three pieces of deep fried tenders,
or a juicy and succulent stuffed chicken breast? Consider beverage charges:
Does " open bar" mean top shelf or lower shelf or is it limited to
just beer, wine, and soft drinks, with mixed drinks costing extra? As you will see, prices are not always equal
and have different meanings. Everything should be fully investigated before any
decision is made.
A ROOMY
FIT
Depending
on the size of your party, make sure the site is large enough to accommodate
the number of people on your list. The space may look enormous when it's empty,
but wedding essentials -- tables, chairs, a buffet, a bar, the band or DJ
setup, the dance floor -- can take up a lot of space. Not to mention your
guests, who'll need some elbow room.
Even if
you choose an outdoor site, you'll need ample room on the lawn, in the
arboretum, or poolside. The best way to assess the size of a site? Ask to check
out the place when another wedding is being set up. Of course, if you decide
you must have your wedding at your sentimental, yet smaller, favorite spot, you
can always work backward and tailor your guest list to match.
EAT,
DRINK & BE MARRIED
There
should be logical places within the space where guests can eat, drink, talk,
and dance. See if you can envision where each activity would happen (especially
if your ceremony will be there, too). If a room is too small to separate into
sections accordingly, you may feel cramped. If it's shaped like an S or some
other oddball figure, that could compromise your party's flow, as well. Also,
note the locations of columns or other obstructions in the room -- will they
block people's views?
PRIVACY,
PLEASE!
Privacy
varies widely from place to place, as does the importance couples place on it.
Look at what other events are scheduled for that day and how much time is
allowed between bookings. If your guests are having a good time, you don't want
them pushed out the door because another party has been scheduled right after
yours.
There
should be, at the very least, one hour between bookings. If the room is
partitioned, find out what sort of group will be next door. The noise of their
party may be an intrusion on your reception. If this bothers you, try to
schedule your wedding when there won't be another one next door. If this is
impossible, visit the site on a dual-party night and see how the sound carries
and whether there really are any major people problems.
If you're
having a daytime event in a public spot, such as a park or botanical garden, be
prepared for strangers to trek past your party. They may even smile, wave, and
come by to offer their good wishes. If this is okay with you (the more the
merrier!), go for the park. If not, ask about privacy options, or opt for a
lovely lawn on a private estate.
SEEING
THE LIGHT
Light can
make -- or break -- the mood. If you're marrying during the day, make sure your
hall has plenty of windows. Who wants to spend six hours in a dark room when
the sun is shining? If it's an evening affair, make sure the room's not too dim
-- or that the lighting can be controlled for the big entrance, dinner, and
dancing. If you're marrying outdoors, say, at dusk, will you be able to set up
candles if necessary?
Try to
visit the site at the same time of day that you've chosen for your wedding.
Even if the space looks swell by candlelight, you may be surprised by the sight
of that 20-year-old carpet during the day. You'll also miss a chance to see how
sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows completely transforms the
room, if you check it out only in the evening.
A GREAT
VIEW
What will
your guests look at when they're not gazing at you or smiling for the
videographer? Whether it's your city skyline, a stunning vista of rolling hills
beyond the windows, or a beautiful body of water behind you, exceptional
locations are always a feast for the eyes. If there's no view per se, look to a
place's decor or architectural details: Picasso prints on the walls, fine
Persian rugs on the floors, period furniture in the corners, or an amazing
crystal chandelier as the room's centerpiece all give your reception site that
something extra.
If you're
considering a certain theme and color palette for your party, take that into
consideration as well. The site doesn't have to be done in the exact colors as
your planned decorations, but the walls, carpets, chairs, and curtains
shouldn't clash or conflict with your party's mood or theme.
GOOD
VIBRATIONS
If the
place has too much of an echo, it could give some weird reverb to the band, not
to mention make it difficult for guests to hear one another talking. A tile or
wood floor, for example, will amplify sounds, while a thick carpet will tend to
muffle them. Check out the room's sound quality during an event. And tailor
your music to the acoustic conditions. A jazz combo will sound better at an
intimate art gallery than a 14-piece orchestra would (not to mention the fact
that it takes up less floor space).
MEET
AND GREET
When
touring the facility, also be sure to look around thoroughly and meet the
staff. You may even want to see how your waiters and waitresses will be
dressed.
Make sure
you know who the contact person will be for your evening (i.e. the banquet
captain, maitre d’). Get in writing the name of the site representative who
will be on hand on your wedding day, and the name of an acceptable substitute.
Ask if the
catering office is staffed during the reception in case there are any problems.
It's important to have someone available to take care of your every request,
even if it's as small as a change in the room temperature, or finding a guest
to take a phone call.
THE
PACKAGE
Before you
finalize your location, make sure you know what is included. Some public
buildings, such as synagogues, have their own banquet tables, caterers and
pre-approved staff. They can also offer you a package deal. Some sites tend not
to be able to offer much at all -- leaving you responsible for all the rentals.
Knowing what's included is vital when planning your location budget.
CHECKING
IT TWICE
Many
brides feel that visiting a reception site once is enough. Even if you have a
photographic memory, time will begin to blur your ability to distinguish
between possible sites. Therefore, visit each possible site once to narrow your
choices down to two or three. Then, go back and visit each one again as if it
were your first time there. You will be amazed at how much better, or worse, a
reception site will appear to you the second time through.
Try and
visit the hall at the same time of day that your reception will be going on.
Different aspects may be apparent, such as sunlight streaming though windows.
QUESTIONS,
QUESTIONS
As always,
don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions. That's the reason you went to visit
the hall. And if the staff isn't interested in answering your questions,
chances are they won't be interested in helping you have the wedding reception
you want. The better informed you are, the more comfortable you'll feel with
your choice.
FINDING
THE SPOT
Locating a
spot that's big enough for all your guests, works with your budget, and
possesses that special charm isn't easy. If you find something that fits 80% of
your requirements, strongly consider booking it. Most locations will allow you
a courtesy two-week pencil hold while you make your final decision.
| 
