There are many questions to ask when inquiring about a potential wedding location and venue, but the most vital are as follows. First, you need to ask not only what the minimum food and beverage cost is to host a wedding at the venue and what the average cost per guest actually is. These two costs are different. Let’s say the minimum F & B is $10,000, but the average cost per person for food and beverage is $200. If you have 100 guests attending your wedding, the actual cost is $20,000. Next, ask what the back up space is if your ceremony and/or reception is outside. Is this location as beautiful as the original location? Will you have to add more decor if it is moved to a backup location? Also ask what the load in and tear down times are for your vendors. Are they only given a short window of time to set up? This will increase your labor costs significantly. And my big question to ask is if the venue allows for a wedding planner. If they don’t it means they have in house planning for you but many times that service advocates for the venue not you.
Wedding Basics
You’re engaged! Hooray! Let the fun begin, but where do you start? Ask yourselves what your must have are, like the type of place you dream of getting married. Also list the things you don’t want which will help greatly when you are looking at venues and searching for your vendors. Create a budget of what you can afford and what areas are most important. Is the floral and decor more important, or is a band for your reception at the top of your list. And most important, start thinking of your wedding date. Choose three that you can share with your family and bridal party to ensure you select a date when everyone is available. Of course if you have hired Rackel as your wedding planner, an organizer book will immediately be given to you with everything from A to Z in it and she will be with you every step of the way to help with the decisions and deadlines so there is not worry, and the planning is as much fun as the wedding itself!
Wedding Decor and Receptions
The wedding decor and menu at your reception is usually finalized at your menu tasting, and this meeting is so much fun! The entire meeting is centered around designing every detail of the food and decor. I also ask the venue to have a mixologist with us to create signature cocktails for the wedding just to add one more personal element that is exciting and interactive.
Wedding Tasting
The catering manager and planner will coordinate the date for your menu tasting and mock up design meeting, and you will have the opportunity to select the items of your choice to taste for your reception menu. Most venues include the cocktail hour food and beverage at the tasting as well which is always a good idea. This is a very important meeting to let the catering manager and your planner know if you have any food allergies. It is always a must to add a line on your invitation rsvp for dietary restrictions so your guests can indicate if they have any allergies. We don’t want anyone to become ill at your wedding!
Church Weddings
If you are having a church wedding you should contact the church coordination as soon as possible to ask when they have availability, and if the date you would like is open. For a Catholic wedding, you must complete a series of classes or couple’s retreat and you should sign up for this sooner rather than later. It is usually a minimum of 6 months prior to the wedding date, and sometimes a year in advance. Check with your clergy to advise you properly.
No matter what venue you decide on where to hold your wedding we would love to help you with all of your wedding planning questions. Contact us to learn more about our wedding planning services here.
Leave a Reply