Every Single Question You Need to Ask Your Caterer

We all know the big day is, well, kind of a big deal, and everything needs to be flawless. One of the major considerations of your reception is your food and drink choices. Whether you’re hoping for a full, sit-down dinner or a cocktail hour with passed apps, it needs to go off without a hitch, and finding an awesome wedding caterer is a key piece of that puzzle.

Hiring a wedding caterer can be pretty complicated, especially as you’re trying to figure out the budget, guest count, and menu. But the good news is that hiring the right wedding caterer will help you in figuring out all of these things.

Tips for Hiring a Wedding Caterer

Here, find our tips for hiring the right wedding caterer for you.

Booking early is important.

If your wedding venue doesn't have in-house caterers or a list of preferred vendors, start the search by narrowing down a list of caterers you absolutely love. Once you settle on a few options, strike while the iron is hot and set up appointments.

Search on social media.

When you start your search for a wedding caterer, look at Instagram for food inspiration or check with a restaurant you already frequent to see if they have a special events department. You can also ask your friends or even your wedding photographer or DJ if they have a suggestion from a previous wedding.

Consider the logistics.

According to Alexis Berry, General Manager for Tom Douglas Catering in Seattle, choosing a caterer in tandem with your venue can be a total game-changer. “Typically, couples will choose a venue, and then try to accommodate catering within that space,” she said. “Think about your vision, work backward, and consider logistics. Working on the venue and catering needs at the same time will help to eliminate compromises later on.”

Because the venue and the caterer are two main party components, choosing them at the same time and making sure each vendor communicates is crucial.

Establish your budget.

As you’re thinking through catering options, come up with a comfortable budget from the get-go. “It’s really important to know what kind of food you want, and a rough idea of your budget,” says Shawn Niles of Fat Pastor Productions. “For us, we work to craft a meal that is very specific to the wants and needs of our clients. We don’t have cookie-cutter menus, because we want our service to match the people we are serving. Without an idea of budget, we don’t know whether to craft a menu for sandwiches or lobster.”

Come to your appointments prepared.

Once you’ve figured out a budget and a few caterers you’re interested in, set up appointments for interviews, and see if you can do sampling at the same time. “Going into the first meeting with a clear idea of your vision, whether it’s laid back and fun or formal, definitely helps,” says Diana Ceballos of Rise & Shine Catering in L.A. “Walk us through what you want so we can see what can be done to meet you there.”

 

Questions to Ask Your Wedding Caterer

To be sure you’re heading into that first meeting prepared, we’ve rounded up a list of questions to consider as you’re finding the best wedding caterer for you!

Venue & Availability

  • Do you have our wedding date available?
  • Do you have any other obligations that day?
  • How will your staff balance multiple events that day (or weekend)?
  • Have you ever catered at our venue before?
  • Can you accomplish our vision at our venue?
  • What are your specific needs to be able to cater at our venue?
  • How much space will you need at the venue?
  • How much time will you need for set-up and clean-up at our venue?

Food & Drink

  • Do you have a static menu, or can you do a custom menu?
  • What are your most popular dishes?
  • Do you charge a bulk fee or cost per person?
  • What is the difference between a plated meal, buffet, family-style, etc.?
  • Can you make kid's meals?
  • Can you provide vendor meals?
  • Can you take care of various allergy/dietary requests?
  • Will food be made on-site or brought in?
  • When will you need final menu choices?
  • When will you need a final headcount?
  • Where do you source your food from?
  • Can/how will you handle last-minute requests?
  • What are the portion sizes?
  • What do you do with leftovers?
  • Do you make wedding cakes as well?
  • If not, will you provide cake cutting services?
  • Do you offer other desserts?
  • Can you provide bartending services?
  • If so, will we need to provide alcohol, or can you?
  • Are any non-alcoholic beverages included in the food costs?

Logistics & Details

  • How many weddings have you done in the past?
  • Do you have photos of past events and references from past clients?
  • Do you provide linens, table settings, and accessories?
  • What colors and style options do you have for linens, table settings, and accessories?
  • If you don’t provide linens, table settings, etc., will you handle coordinating the rental?
  • Will your staff handle setting place cards and menus, if desired?
  • What is your typical server to guest ratio?
  • Do you have the proper catering license requirements, as well as liability insurance?
  • Will we need any special event permits? Will you obtain those?
  • Will there be an onsite coordinator day-of? Can we meet them ahead of time?
  • Can you provide a copy of your standard contract?
  • What is the amount of the deposit due to hold our date, and when will the remainder be due?
  • What is your cancellation policy?
  • Do you offer a payment plan?

by Legency Event Hall

Who, What, When: Wedding Stationery Timeline & Guide

Invitations, Save The Date's, Thank You's, OH MY!

For as long as we can remember we've been executing the art of the invitation since we were able to walk, talk and drive our parents crazy. So when it comes to your big Wedding Day, invitations should be just as easy as inviting your friend over to watch the new episode of your favorite TV show- that's why I've created this simple timeline and guide so you know who to invite where and when!

Even though we are as technologically advanced as we are now in 2017 between smartphone capabilities and paper saving digital invites, a lot of planning must still be done at the right time so your guests can plan accordingly.

Here is when you should send what pretty little piece of paper to who:

1- Engagement Party Invitation

When To Party: 12 Months before the Wedding

When To Invite: One - Two Months before the Engagement Party

Who To Invite: Friends and Family (this is your super exclusive VIP list of close friends and family)

2- Save The Date

When To Invite: Nine - Twelve Months before the Wedding
Who: Everyone lucky enough to be invited to your Wedding

3- Order Invitations

When To Order: Six - Nine Months before the Wedding

4- Mail Invitations

When To Mail Out-Of-Town Invites: Eight Weeks before the Wedding
When To Mail Local Invites: Six Weeks before the Wedding
♥Insert Wedding of your Life Here♥

5- Mail Thank You Cards

When To Mail: Six - Eight Weeks after the Wedding

And now that you have a complete guide on who, what and when to invite where- you should be able to conquer those invites with ease!

by Legency Event Hall

Going Green On Your Wedding Day

Being the smart and informed fine young people we are, you know just as well as I do that it is important to be earth conscious when planning your wedding! Here are a few tips on how you can help keep our beautiful earth around longer, and still have the wedding of your dreams!

Use Bubbles or Flower Petals instead of Confetti

Choose a Centrally Located Venue and try to have the Ceremony and Reception in One Location to Reduce Transportation for your Guests

Choose an Eco-Friendly Gown, or purchase a Recycled Gown

Brides Against Breast Cancer is a great source of recycled and donated gowns where proceeds go to benefit Breast Cancer!

Go Digital with your Invitations, or Fun Recycled Materials like this Growing Paper

Use All Natural Make-Up to reduce the amount of toxins absorbed through the skin

With all of these tips in mind, now you're all set to have The Green Wedding of your Dreams!

by Legency Event Hall

How to Host a Party: 16 things to remember when you’re hosting anything

If you’re planning to host a party or any sort of casual get-together, these 16 realistic party hosting tips will help keep your gathering fun and stress-free for everyone. Hosting a party at home doesn’t have to be cause for a nervous breakdown!

I love having people over to my house.

We’ve had times and seasons of our lives where we hosted parties pretty much non-stop and others where our get-together were much more limited.

For instance, in the ten and a half months we lived in North Carolina during Bart’s first year of his MBA, we were basically party hosting machines.

We had dozens of people over for dinner, hosted a couple of  team brunches, threw several birthday parties, had both sets of parents visit for the weekend, and had all sorts of get-togethers like our couples book club, a diaper baby shower, Pi Day, and our s’mores farewell party.

At other points, like the first year or two we lived in Arizona, we did much less party hosting, as we got in to the groove of having children in school and making new friends here.

But no matter what our circumstances have been, we’ve always felt like having people over was a priority to us.

It’s definitely not like I have the nicest house (most of my furniture is IKEA, Goodwill or IKEA FROM Goodwill) or the best yard or am the greatest cook of all time.

We had a boatload of parties in our little, filthy-carpeted apartment in Texas, squeezing in up to 30 people into our tiny living area.

I am also 100% certain I am not the most fun person you know.

In fact, I’m probably one of the least fun people you know. My idea of a good time is reading a book in bed with a bowl of ice cream. (Happily, I married someone way more fun than me, so he can be charming while I make cookies).

But despite all that, I feel like Bart and I have really gotten a good system down for having people over, whether it’s to host a party or just having dinner guests, where it’s low-stress for both of us, and we’re still speaking to each other by the time people arrive.

HERE ARE THE THINGS THAT I’VE LEARNED ARE MOST IMPORTANT WHEN YOU HOST A PARTY (OR ANY KIND OF GATHERING!):

  1. Just Invite People Over. Your house might not be perfect. You might not have enough chairs for everyone. Your bathroom might be ugly or boring or involve a toilet that has that have the handle jiggled juuuuust so to work. I guarantee you that 99% of people enjoy being invited to something with people they like and don’t care about what your house looks like or if they have to sit in a kitchen chair or on the floor (and if they do care, well, who wants to invite them over anyway?).
  2. Don’t Make it So Complicated You Never Do It Again. Order takeout for dinner. Use Evite to send your party invitations. Don’t bother mopping the floor. Whatever it is that makes it less stressful for you to host a party, feel free to do it. I pretty much promise no one else will notice.
  3. Food. Virtually everyone likes food. No matter what kind of party you’re hosting (unless it’s a, you know, hunger strike), include some food. Even if it’s just a bag of chips in a bowl. Or in the bag. I love chips in a bag.
  4. Do one thing well, and cut yourself slack on everything else. I know every Pinterest party has one trillion amazing details. Who cares? I usually pick one thing to focus on, whether it’s food (like at our s’mores party), decorations (like at the Pampers party), or activities (like the Mission Impossible party). And then make everything else easy (big activity? easy food. Serious decorations? No activities). Don’t kill yourself trying to make everything amazing.
  5. Use Paper Products. The environmentalist in me cringes, and
    Pinterest users everywhere probably are gasping in horror, but when the
    entire party is cleaned up five minutes after the last guest leaves? I
    feel happy that we decided to host a party. Plus, there are so many pretty paper products available. 
  6. Focus on the Big Impact Items. No one is looking at your baseboards. I prioritize vacuuming and cleaning the bathroom (aka making Bart clean the bathroom), because those are the most noticeable, and then I don’t worry about the rest of the cleaning much at all when we host a party. I do one or two great food items, and then fill in with low-key items (water, chips and dip, fruit, etc). You’ll never have the time or money or energy to do every single thing, so don’t waste it on the the things no one notices.
  7. A Few Small Details Make a Big Difference when you’re hosting a party at home. Some cute paper straws, a bouquet of flowers, or some balloons go a long way and are all inexpensive (hello, clearance floral at Kroger), plus it looks like you went to some effort to be a good party host.
  8. Crank up the AC. This is one of the goofiest party hosting tips but there is nothing worse than realizing you’re slowly melting into the carpet at a party. We always turn our AC down about four degrees lower than normal. In the winter, we often crack a window or two to keep it from feeling like an oven.
  9. Invite the Right People. We’ve learned not to invite everyone we know to a single party – this was a hosting tip we learned through trial and error for sure! Bart and I hate being personally responsible for making sure everyone has someone to talk to. And if you have quiet friends who don’t like competition, maybe they aren’t the right ones to invite to Minute to Win It. Save their names for a dinner party instead.
  10. Let Other People Help when you host a party. If people offer to bring a side dish or to arrive with a large stack of paper plates, take them up on it. You might feel like you’re failing How to be a Good Party Host 101 but when it’s three minutes until arrival, you’ll be glad to have time to vacuum rather than frantically chopping tomatoes for a salad. And people like to feel useful.
  11. Set Expectations. I hate going to a “party” that ends up being a bunch of people sitting around talking. Likewise, I don’t like arriving at what I think will be a quiet night talking to friends, only to find out I’ll be expected to put on a costume and make up an interpretive dance to a Disney song. Make it clear what’s going to take place at the party.
  12. Account for Children. If you’re going to have kids around, make sure there is somewhere for them to sit (you DON’T want them balancing a bowl of soup on their laps) or that there are activities for them. If you don’t want kids to attend, make that clear in the invitation. I feel like a jerk when I put that in invitations, but I’d rather that then be annoyed when people show up with their children or when I show up at a party with my child, only to discover I should have gotten a babysitter.
  13. Remember that People Just Like to Be Together. A few years ago, Ralphie hosted a Christmas Movie Girls’ Night. There was hot chocolate and popcorn and everyone came in their pajamas and we were going to watch some classic Christmas movie. But then everyone got talking and visiting and it was clear no one really wanted to stop chatting to watch the movie, and Ralphie just let it slide. Everyone stayed until one a.m. talking and the movie was never turned on. Similarly, my ideal baby shower is one with zero dumb games. I don’t need to guess the name of various animal babies nor do I need to stick my face in a diaper with a melted candy bar. I feel like too often, the activities get in the way of people having a good time. Feel free to skip them! (Unless it’s a themed party where the activity is the whole point, we almost never have games or activities).
  14. Do Something Out of the Ordinary. An ugly sweater party? (PASS! I know it’s so unhip of me to hate on ugly sweater parties, but seriously. I loathe them). Everyone is having Christmas parties and it’s just another thing to squeeze in. I love having a Pi Day party because meeting on a weeknight to gorge on pie is just so outside the normal routine of regular life. A Friday morning where you get a bunch of food and free diapers? Definitely exciting (at least to people like me. . . ). Don’t feel like you need a big holiday or reason to have a party. I think it’s extra fun to have an event when there’s no real reason for it.
  15. Put the Food where You Want People to Be. If you put the food in the kitchen, EVERYONE WILL BE IN THE KITCHEN. My Grannie, who is the world’s best hostess, always puts the appetizers in the living room so people will gather there when she’s hosting a party at home. And I think she’s brilliant.
  16. Once People Arrive, Just Enjoy the Party. In my book, this is the cardinal rule for how to be a good party host. Don’t apologize about the lack of decorations or mention that you MEANT to have three desserts, but only had time for two, or point out that your floor could have used a sweeping or five. No one wants to feel like the party or dinner or event is stressing you out. Make people feel like you’re glad to have them there.

by Legency Event Hall

How to Pick a Wedding Venue: 10 Critical Keys

By Wedding Spot

The ring is on your finger and you’re looking forward to your big day, and your life together afterward. You might also be feeling a bit of trepidation about diving into wedding planning, especially if you’re thinking about all of it at once. If the to-do list seems daunting, it’s time to step back and break it down into manageable tasks — starting with picking the perfect wedding venue.

Of course, this is a key piece of the wedding-day puzzle and requires a fair amount of thought, research, and exploration. But, there’s good news! Once you pick the site of your celebration, other wedding decisions — including theme, decoration, and even dress style — tend to build naturally off the venue’s location and style.

So we’ve rounded up the top 10 keys for how to pick a wedding venue (yes, the one of your dreams!). From when to look to how-to book, this guide to wedding venues gets you on the right track — and keeps you there.

How to Pick a Wedding Venue in 10 Steps:

1. Give yourself plenty of time to look at wedding venues

Plan to book your wedding venue at least nine to twelve months in advance. You may find the most popular locations and dates are booked up even earlier. Plan ahead so you’re not feeling rushed into a decision. Allow for two months of research, tours, and soul-searching so you don’t sign a contract in haste.

If you get engaged in December (the most popular month for engagements), aim for a mid-winter or early spring wedding to give yourselves plenty of time to research and book your venue. If you get engaged in July, you’re looking at an autumn wedding. Of course, you can find venues and plan a wedding over a longer or shorter period, but you’ll need to adjust your timeline accordingly.

The Wedding Spot makes it beyond easy to explore possible venues from the comfort of your couch. Researching sites online is a great way to start seeing what’s out there in detail, and clarifying what you two really want for your wedding day.

2. Ease the decision process with non-negotiables

For some people (those who’ve been dreaming of their wedding day forever), this part comes pretty easy. They know what they want in a venue—and what they don’t want.

For most, however, settling on the non-negotiables for a wedding venue is new territory. Spending time on this is well worth the effort because it eases the process and helps you avoid a choice that isn’t a great fit for your wedding style.

Consider the little questions you can answer without hesitation as you start researching your top contenders. These answers will narrow the field significantly. No sense researching (and falling in love with) a wedding venue that’s not a possibility.

Here are questions to help you pinpoint your non-negotiables:

  • What season or dates do you prefer? Whether you know your exact day or have a specific season in mind, your wedding date plays a role in the venue you select. Research annual events or seasonal holidays that may impact your ability to book specific locations, or that put a damper on your guests’ ability to travel and stay over. Do you have hotel venues in mind for a wedding during high tourist season?
  • What’s your general location preference? Is a local wedding the obvious choice, or is your heart set on a destination wedding? Do you have your heart set on a barn wedding and live in a city? Do you want to have a summer wedding in your parent’s backyard, but they are planning a vacation overseas in the same time frame? What are the requirements for getting married and celebrating in a house of worship?
  • How hands-on are you? Do you want to do it all yourself, tackle a few projects but leave the rest to the experts, or step back and let someone else manage every detail?
  • What’s your budget? This one’s easy: Skip venues that are out of your budget. It’s nice to dream, and it doesn’t hurt to explore more expensive listings for ideas—you may be able to incorporate them into your final choice. But, if it’s out of the budget and there’s no room for adjustment, consider options that won’t drain your resources.
  • How many people will you invite? Do you expect a huge guest list, or a smaller gathering? While you don’t need an exact headcount this early in the process, narrow down the search if trimming your guest list is out of the question.
  • What’s your wedding planner’s expert opinion? Your wedding planner’s knowledge and relationships with vendors can help make the initial hurdles easier to manage. Use their expertise as you work through the process—it will save you time, and may prevent snags down the line.
  • Do you want the ceremony and reception in the same location, or different venues? An all-in-one venue saves travel time, but what if you have a different site for the vows in mind? The ceremony location may be more difficult to book than a reception venue; secure your ceremony location before you settle on a venue.

Consider these factors when your ceremony and reception will be in two places:

  • What is the distance between venues? A little travel is okay, but how much time do you want your guests on the road versus celebrating?
  • How will guests get from one location to another? Will you provide a shuttle, do they drive, or is there public transportation between the two?
  • Will traffic get in the way? For weekday weddings, the evening commute may extend the time it takes to get from Point A to Point B.
  • Is there enough parking in both locations? In non-urban venues, people tend to drive. You’ll need enough parking on hand, or you’ll have to help organize ride shares.
  • How far will guests have to walk in either place? Keep your guests in mind when making this choice. Long walks and challenging terrain are difficult for the disabled, the elderly, and the parents of very young guests.

If you’re keeping the ceremony and wedding venue all in one place, consider:

  • Where will guests go between the ceremony and reception?
  • Does the staff change over the room?
  • How long does the changeover take?
  • Is there ample space for cocktail hour?
  • Is there room for entertainment during the changeover period?

3. Narrow down your wedding venue options even further

When you’ve got a broad idea of location, necessary capacity, and the budget, settle on your wedding venue style.

Beaches, gardens, vineyards, and barns offer a natural backdrop. Or, do you prefer the elegance and glamour—and choreographed proficiency—of a ballroom wedding? Or, perhaps historic charm or the easy atmosphere of a rustic setting suits your taste.

Modern, unconventional venues can turn a wedding into an experience. There’s no need to stick with a ballroom or barn: Let your personality guide your decisions. Recreate the time he surprised you with tickets to your favorite musical by hosting your guests at an opulent theater, or let art stand in for decorations when you rent an art gallery. Or, invite your guests to a lakeside retreat for a weekend-long event.

Don’t count anything out in the beginning. Create a wish list and see what stands out—dream big. If a venue is too pricey, see if an off-season or non-Saturday date fits within your budget. Look for themes within your list and consider which details you’re not willing to give up. Refer to your non-negotiables again, if needed.

4. Determine if your favorite wedding venues meet your needs

If not, can you fill in the gaps? If the on-site options for your wedding photos don’t suit your vision, are there picturesque sites nearby. If it’s a hotel venue, are there rooms available for your out-of-town guests? Other things to ask or research at this stage:

  • Does the venue offer day-of snacks and champagne for the bridal party?
  • When can you start decorating for the wedding?
  • When can the vendors arrive?
  • Do they have adequate wedding insurance coverage?
  • Do they offer coat-check service in cold weather?
  • Is there an overtime fee if the party or the vendor breakdown goes longer than planned?
  • If you are managing the food and decor yourself, can you break down the day after the wedding?
  • Does your preferred table layout (long, family-style rectangles) leave enough room for your entire guest list? (Pro-planning tip: Round banquet tables fit the highest number of guests; square tables fit the least.)
  • Are there accessibility challenges for guests in wheelchairs or using canes and walkers?
  • Can the venue host your rehearsal dinner at a discount?

Finally, two key questions that have an outsized impact on staying within budget and designing your dream wedding:

  • What are the venue’s vendor restrictions? Some venues only work with specific vendors or provide the services themselves. While you may fall in love with a venue, the approved vendors may not be your style. Find out if you can bring in an outside caterer or supply your own liquor.  When bringing in an outside caterer, check out the available workspace. Your final cost rises quickly if the caterer must have the refrigerator and cooking equipment delivered. The dream of a wedding catered by a variety of food trucks may not be feasible at a venue that restricts large vehicles or has a quaint, yet difficult-to-pass driveway.
  • Is there a guest minimum? It’s not all about paring down. Some venues have a minimum number of guests they require. The sunset dinner cruise you are dreaming about may not set sail without a certain number of guests on board—unless you pay that minimum. Are you willing to pay a minimum 100-guest charge, even if you’re only inviting 60 people?

5. Pay attention to your dream decor ideas

What pops to mind when you think of your decor aesthetic? Dreamy swaths of sheer material, ceiling to floor; a room filled with flickering candles; boughs of greenery decking railings?

Hotel ballrooms may already have opulent design features that don’t pair well with the visions of weathered tables aglow with fairy lights dancing in your head. Historic venues may have restrictions on candles, hanging decorations, string lights, bubbles, and more that limit your ability to create the romantic atmosphere you’ve been planning. A short set-up window may stand in the way if your decor is intricate and time-consuming.

Hands-on brides may prefer the ability to customize an à la carte venue, while an all-inclusive location can cut stress and save precious time. Supplied linens, chairs, and tables may be basic—if they don’t suffice, you may be able to rent them elsewhere.

bride and groom smiling on wedding day.jpg

6. Visit your top five wedding venues in person

Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many options. Narrow it down to five to seven venues and schedule site visits. Plan ahead, leave plenty of time to explore, and get a feel for the place. As you tour, scope out photography locations on the property, check out the restroom situation, envision your celebration in the space, and talk about the details that matter most to you.

What’s the overall vibe of the place? Get an idea of whether the event staff is the right fit. Do they give straightforward answers to your questions, or are they hesitating? Go prepared: check out our venue site tours checklist so you don’t miss a thing.

Site visits are challenging for destination weddings, especially if a vacation doesn’t fit into your budget or schedule. Use the destination weddings’ page on the Wedding Spot to your advantage. Destination venues offer details and pictures of all the essentials, including the availability of indoor and outdoor spaces, beach wedding set-ups, and wedding sizes.

Another option is asking for a virtual tour from the venue manager. Have them walk you through the venue on a video call to help you get a ‘feel’ for the place that doesn’t always come through in photos.

7. Be realistic, be flexible, and adjust as needed (remember: there is no perfect wedding venue)

Your site visit may have exposed some challenges to the location, such as minimal on-site options for photographs or your preferred dates already booked for another couple. Some other concerns that might pop up at this point:

  • Construction projects happening on-site during your event. Are they willing to give you a discount?
  • Your preferred dates were booked after you set up the visit. Are you willing to budge on the day? If not, scratch the venue off the list and move on.
  • You notice significant foot traffic from the general public at the site. Are there separate bathrooms and services, such as the bar for the wedding?
  • The venue hosts multiple events at the same time. Do you have the budget to buy out the venue?
  • The cocktail hour room is worse for the wear. Is there a remodel on the calendar?

Do any of these issues overlap with your non-negotiables? If not, you may decide the pros still far outweigh the cons of a top venue choice.

8. Take a little time and then follow up

After the visit, take a day or two to absorb what you saw, and all the information you received. Discuss what you liked and disliked with your fiance. A venue or two (or three) will likely drop off the list at this point. Follow-up with the venue manager of your remaining choices to ask the questions you forgot, review what you talked about on the tour, and clarify anything that is still unclear.

Talk with as many people as you can with first-hand experience of the venue, including your wedding planner and vendors. Ask what was great, where the venue fell short of expectations, and anything that could help your day go smoothly. Ask for photos of real weddings—not staged shots for promotions—to get a feel for the space.

Request referrals for clients who have worked with the venue. Glowing reviews—or stern warnings—feedback from real couples can help you know what to expect. Comb through reviews on social media and rating platforms, as well.

9. Make your final wedding venue decision

Bring all of your careful work together to decide which venue is the one. Make a list of pros and cons for each of your final venue options. There may be room for customization: If your number one choice is knocked down a notch because they don’t have a designated bridal suite for primping, request the use of a private room with brunch and mimosas instead.

When comparing costs, it’s about more than just the base fee. Additional costs like chair rentals, extra lighting for portraits, decor, uncorking fees, or caterer charges may drive up the price. It may be a better deal to book the venue that supplies the table linens and sound system than one where you have to provide them. Even if the cost isn’t a concern, you may prefer to rely on the venue to manage the details so you have fewer pieces in motion.

Once you’ve made your choice, double check your gut reaction. Does it still feel like the right choice? Does the thought of your wedding at this venue put a smile on your face? Do you feel comfortable, as though you’ll be taken care of by the venue managers? If yes, move to the next step!

10. Sign the wedding venue contract (after reading the fine print)

When you’ve made your choice, request a contract from the venue. Go over every line of the agreement and review it with your wedding planner, if you have one. Watch out for additional costs like set-up or delivery fees that weren’t discussed previously, review the cancellation and refund policy, and ensure you understand exactly what you’re signing.

Remember: Your date is not reserved until the contract is signed, even if you request a soft hold. When you return the contract to the venue coordinator’s hands—it’s official and breathe a sigh of relief.

Put the date on the calendar, and take your time moving to next steps. When you’re ready, learn what goes into planning the rest of your wedding, or explore stunning cheap wedding ideas if you’re on a budget.

by Legency Event Hall

10 Ways To Save $1000 On A Wedding

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by Legency Event Hall