All wedding planning begins with a key question: where? Of course, it’s all about what you like best, but there are a few things to bear in mind when making your decision. Asking the right questions can help you organize your event and avoid unpleasant surprises. Some answers may even be decisive in your selection.
But before you set off on a wild goose chase, ask yourself this question: what kind of reception do we want?
Determine the style of wedding you’d like and the budget you can commit to renting the hall. A brunch? A sit-down meal preceded by a cocktail? A simple cocktail? A cocktail dinner? Would you prefer a romantic, country-style setting with outdoor access? Would you prefer a more urban wedding in a restaurant or village hall? Do you dream of getting married in a country setting, under a reception tent?
What does rental include?
It’s essential to determine the options offered by rental venues: do they include furniture, crockery, cleaning costs, parking? Anything that isn’t included in the rental price will require additional work, and should be factored into the budget.
What is the cancellation policy?
You’re ready to commit, no doubt about it. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the last few months, it’s how an unforeseen factor can change all our plans. Knowing how to cancel or postpone can come in very handy.
What’s the time limit for the evening?
The time at which a party ends depends very much on the neighborhood and the policy of the venue. You may own the room until the end of the night, but you may also be charged for extra time after a certain hour. Most venues limit their opening hours to 2 or 3 in the morning.
Is there a corkage fee?
What is corkage right? Droit de bouchon means asking customers to pay a fee for bringing their own bottles of wine or other beverages. If the venue is on a wine-growing estate, the Domaine may want to impose the wines produced on site, and therefore ask you to pay a corkage fee if you want to offer your guests another vintage.
Are there any compulsory partners?
A venue may have a list of partners it prefers to work with, very often the caterer, which it then imposes on you. In many cases, this is not a constraint, as these partners know the venue inside out, and this can facilitate the organization.
What’s plan B in case of bad weather?
If you’re holding your reception outdoors, it’s of course imperative to have a plan B just in case. You can then take this fallback solution into account and measure a venue’s adaptability.
What are the room’s opening hours?
This information is extremely useful for your post-wedding organization! Depending on this time slot, you can make any decisions relating to the installation or removal of decorations or the layout of reception areas.
Is there accommodation on site or nearby?
Depending on the presence or absence of on-site accommodation and its capacity, you can advise your guests to make their own arrangements. These accommodations may or may not be included in the price of your rental. If the accommodations are nearby, it may be possible to arrange a chauffeur service between the venue and the accommodations, so that guests don’t have to worry about getting back behind the wheel.
Does the venue guarantee the exclusivity of the spaces during your wedding?
For an intimate moment with family and friends, sharing your big day with another unfamiliar couple may not be the best of surprises… So it’s always good to know whether you have exclusivity of the venue or not.
What about the dance floor?
After all, one of the most important parts of the evening is the dancing! When planning your party, you may need to know whether your reception area includes a dance floor, or whether it’s necessary to create one at the right moment.
Does the space include a children’s area?
Depending on the number of guests, it may be necessary to provide a children’s area, or even a babysitter. So parents can enjoy their evening in peace!
Do you have a floor plan?
No obligation here, but this plan can be the means to organize your decoration and the layout of your reception from a distance.
Some answers will come naturally to you during your visit, but there are other questions you absolutely must ask. That way, you’ll have a clearer picture of how your big day will be organized and budgeted, and you’ll avoid any unpleasant last-minute surprises.
You now have all the keys you need to choose a reception venue!
Enjoy your visit
