5 Key Things to Look for When Choosing a Wedding Reception Site

2009-11-30T10:44:00.000-08:00

It was said by George Sand that:
“There is only one happiness in life: to love and be loved.”
George has a point, but don’t short sell the happiness that is derived when a soon-to-be wed couple chooses the perfect wedding reception site to celebrate their special day.

Here are some tips to help you through the process of choosing a wedding reception site. We hope that we can help offer some ideas that will make the process easier and yield excellent results.

1. Discuss key aspects.
2. Keep a budget in mind.
3. Review your options.
4. Visit the sites.
5. Taste the cuisine.

1. Talk over all of the key aspects of your reception with your partner.

Communication is a key ingredient to any happy relationship. It is important, therefore, to find out what each other’s vision is for the day. Some couples find that one person in the relationship steers the selection process, while the other person is just happy to go along with it… as long as they are not bothered by the choices. While that may be the case for many, it is still important to understand what each prefers, before starting your site search.

We also realize that there may be outside forces that influence your choice. We have found that having a clear and well thought out vision helps to get your voice heard when it comes to making a major decision in your wedding planning.

~ Estimate how many guests will be invited. This will help to narrow your venue options immediately. You don’t need to have all of the addresses of your guest written down prior to visiting reception sites, but you should have an approximation. Make sure that the reception site is suitable for your number of guests.
~ Determine the geographical location for your affair. This is usually based on where the majority of the family and friends are located. Alternatively, a neutral destination can be chosen that is equidistant for most of the guests.
~ Determine where your ceremony will be held. Some reception sites accommodate beautiful outdoor and indoor ceremonies for couples who wish to have their reception at the same location. This is clearly the easiest scenario for everyone. Once the ceremony site is determined, the reception site should be chosen based on its proximity to the site of the ceremony.
~ Determine the style of your reception. Are you looking for something elegant and grand or would you prefer something simple and refined? Much of the feeling of a reception can be derived from the decorations, but don’t overlook the importance of the structure itself.
~ Determine what time of year you would like your wedding to be held. Knowing the time of year will help you visualize how various places will look, according to the season. Some venues are better choices than others, depending on the time of year.

Agreeing on these things before you begin searching for your reception site will reduce some of the stress of the search. You may not agree on everything, but compromise is the name of the game…and ultimately a happy marriage.

2. Discuss a Budget

Weddings can be costly and it is important to choose a wedding reception site that suits your budget. No matter who is absorbing the costs, before you go looking at a reception site, you and your partner should have a firm idea of your wedding budget. Avoid the experience of falling in love with a place, only to determine that it is out of your price range.

~ Ask the wedding reception site to provide you with the average cost of their receptions. Make sure that their average cost is in your price range. Most reception sites will customize their wedding packages to suit your needs, but it is good to know what a typical reception at their facility runs and what options there are that will impact your budget.

3. Review the options

Once you’ve discussed what kind of reception you would like and have a clear understanding of the financial resources you are working with, you can begin to review your options.

~ Consider a large number of possibilities.
~ Consider the time that you can devote to looking.
~ Consider your stamina. Make sure to not get overwhelmed by visiting too many places during a single outing.
~ It may be helpful to combine looking at venues with other activities you enjoy. Enjoy a cup of coffee afterwards and discuss your impressions. This may even help you to be better prepared for the next visit.
~ Consider your time frame. Make sure that you give yourself enough time to see all of the possibilities and make a decision. If you are working on a tight schedule, choose a smaller number of possibilities and plan accordingly. Don’t forget to enjoy the process. While there may be moments of stress, know that it is going to be OK, no matter what.

4. Make appointments to visit your selected wedding reception sites

Nothing beats seeing the facility in person. Most wedding reception sites have web sites that give you an overview of what to expect, but it is always best to see it for yourself.

~ Meet with a staff member at the facility. Determine who is going to be your go-to person. Do they have an on staff wedding coordinator or Sales Director? Who can you ask for when you have questions regarding the facility? Make sure to find out who that person is and get their contact information.
~ Take a tour. Remember, your first visit to these sites is exactly that, your first visit. You do not need to make your decision until you have seen all of your possibilities. The experience should be pleasant and informative. If you feel pressured to make a choice, that particular facility may not be the right one for you. It is their job to answer your questions and highlight what sets them apart from other reception sites.
~ Let the dust settle. Once you have visited all of the possibilities, discuss what you have seen and learned.

5. Taste the cuisine at your final choices

Hopefully, you have been able to narrow down your choices to two or three.

~ Once you have considered all of the factors leading up to making your choices, you and your partner should visit the “Finalists” for a tasting. Most couples don’t even get a chance to eat at their weddings because they are so busy entertaining guests, but the food is an important factor in making your guests happy. The tasting is also another opportunity to speak with whoever is handled the details of your wedding and discuss any questions or concerns.
~ If food is an important element of celebration for you, consider reception sites that have mastered the particular style of cuisine that you wish to serve. Some reception sites have taken the time to offer guests something much tastier than the typical domed plate of rubbery chicken doom, seek them out.

After you have completed all of your tours and talked to as many people as you would like, go off and make up your own minds on what suits you the best. Knowing how to choose a wedding reception site includes knowing in your hearts that the people who need to be pleased with the reception site the most are the two of you. It is your special day. Celebrate that day at the wedding reception site that accommodates your needs and ultimately suits you.

The Woodwinds of Branford

29 Schoolground Road

Branford, CT

203-481-6577

www.thewoodwinds.com

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http://www.facebook.com/TheWoodwindsOfBranford

http://twitter.com/thewoodwinds

Welcome to The Woodwinds of Branford Blog

2009-11-30T10:24:00.000-08:00

We are excited to have the opportunity to join the wonderful conversations that people are having about our favorite topics.

As one of the premiere Wedding, Social & Corporate Event and Bar & Bat Mitzvah reception facilities on the CT shoreline, listening to what you have to say will help us create an even better experience.

It is the goal of our Blog's dialogue to help us further provide the opportunity to offer picture-perfect events at Woodwinds to celebrate the happiest moments in your life.

The Woodwinds of Branford
29 Schoolground Road
Branford, CT
203-481-6577
www.thewoodwinds.com

Visit us on Facebook & Twitter
http://www.facebook.com/TheWoodwindsOfBranford
http://twitter.com/thewoodwinds

The Woodwinds Blog

5 Key Things to Look for When Choosing a Wedding Reception Site

Welcome to The Woodwinds of Branford Blog