Where can I find a list of questions to ask the manager of a potential wedding receptation location?

Question

I am going to my home town to look for wedding locations this weekend. I would also like to find a list of questions to ask the caterer, dj, and wedding site location. 10 point for the best answer.

Answer 1

When I took my wedding planning course, the president of WBW gave us a list of questionnaires from bakery to florist to DJ to ceremony venue and everything in between. Send my an email and I'll be able to send them off to you (I can't post them here as they are pdf files and not attached to a website.) ... [e-mail]

Answer 2

Catering company:
Do you allow tastings?
Can I have a children's option for a lower price?
Do you have references for weddings you have done?
Who prepares the food and where?
When do you need to have the final guest count and what if it changes?
Will you help with rentals? (tables, chairs, linen, etc. if needed)
Do you have pictures of weddings that you have done?

DJ:
Do you have references from weddings you've done?
What do you normally do for your contracted time?
Can we request certain songs ahead of time and create a do not play list?
Will you pronounce everyone's names properly?
How energetic are you? (find a DJ that goes along with the tempo you want your reception to be)
If we go over the contracted time how much do you charge?

Site location:
Will you be doing construction or remodeling any time soon?
Do rentals come with the site rental? (tables, chairs, etc.)
Do you have staff on hand to set up the hall the way I want?
How many hours do I get when I pay for the rental and what if I go over?
What is the kitchen area of this venue like? (discuss this with the catering company)
Are there any decorations or things I cannot use in this hall?
What if I need to cancel or reschedule the event after I have put a deposit on it?
Do we have to take the trash with us or are there dumpsters on site? (discuss this with the catering company if you need to take trash)
How many people will this venue accomadate?

If you need more info or advice on anything let me know I plan weddings and bar/bat mitzvahs for a living and I work for a catering company....I know the ins and outs of the business...

Answer 3

I asked this question a few weeks ago, and here are some of the better answers:

1. How many people will they be able to accomodate in the chapel? and in the reception area? sometimes they are different
2. What can you do for decorations?
-can you have flowers
-open flames
-can you use push pins to hang decorations
-how much time will you have in advance to set up everything for your wedding
3. Do they clean up or do you?
4. Do they have a place for you and your bridal party to get ready? or will you need to come dressed?
5. Do they have a list of outside companies that you must use ie: DJ's, Caterers (any outside people that you may bring in to work for you, some places will only work with venders they have worked with in the past).
6. If you choose to serve liquor can you bring your own for the bar or do they supply it. If you do bring your own what is the coarking fee (I wanted to have a special champagne that they did not have so I paid a coarking fee per bottle).
7. Electrical outlets. This may seem weird but alot of outdoor facilities do not have outdoor electric. You will need to see if they provide extension coards for your DJ or musicians or if you will need to bring them to supply power from inside.
8. Will you have someone from the facility there on the day of your wedding to make sure that everything runs smoothly?
9. If this is a place where your guests will need to check in to park, how far in advance can they give you the information to give out to your guests.
10. What is their policy on a refund in case of emergencies.

-How many people can the chapel accomodate.
-How much is the deposit? When do you have to pay the deposit?
-What is your policy for deposit refunds?
-Is there an alternate site for bad weather?
-Are there appropiate electrical outlets to power dj.mic/etc.
-Where are the restrooms?
-Are there any cleaning fees?
-Where is the parking for my guest located



Are they providing seating, linens, tables, basic things like that. Who is in charge of the set up of the tent? When will that be set up, in case of rain. Are they providing an aisle runner? Are there any restrictions on catering? Bar? When is the location open to you, that morning? The night before? If you want to get dressed there are there any restrictions? Can outside vendors visit the place to figure out what they need to do at any time? (These are all things I've asked our reception site, not sure what you all needed.) Congrats!

Make sure you ask if you have to have special liablity insurance for the day, in case of injury to someone or damage to the property. That can be a big expense and you want to know about it ahead of time so you can budget for it.


*****Hope this helps****

Answer 4

"Love alw" gave some good answes. I would also ask DJ and Caterer for dates of their upcoming events. Discreetly attend to listen and watch DJ and check out the food quality and service of caterer.

When selecting a baker for the wedding cake, get references and ask to taste all available cake/filling flavors.

Ask to florist to go to the wholesaler so you can see the fresh flowers yourself before deciding on arrangements.

Good luck

Answer 5

You should go to Theknot.com, they have everything on their website!! The knot was my sanctuary when I got married - check it out, I guarantee that it will help you with everything, and remind you of the things that you forgot.

Piper