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Written
by Linda Dubbs
Finding the
right reception site or caterer doesn't have to be as
hard as some people make it. The choice of the
location and the caterer can sometimes carry the
weight of the entire wedding reception. After being in
business as a caterer for over 20 years there hasn't
been to many locations that we haven't been exposed
to. Some are wonderful to look at, but a nightmare to
work in.
Never pick your location (or Caterer) out by just
calling on the phone for information. Most rental
sites will tell you what you want to hear. You need to
see the place for yourself. Never pick you location by
price alone. Some locations might seem pricey and some
might seem cheap. Most times you get what you pay for.
If a location quotes a lower price it might be because
it isn't in a good location, doesn't have tables,
chairs, dance floor, kitchen or ample parking or
bathrooms. Maybe the price quoted is only for the room
or house and doesn't include anything else including
the setting up or cleaning up. Some people in order to
save money will opt for the lower priced sites and
realize that they will have to put in a full days work
before and after the wedding to get the place the way
it needs to be for the reception. As long as you
understand this ahead of time there will be no
surprises. Some people think when they order chairs
and tables, dance
floors, lattice work, etc. that the rental people set
it up when it is delivered. Wrong! They bring it and
drop it off, unless you make
arrangements to have them set it up. There will be an
additional charge for this. Do not take it for granted
that your caterer will do this for you either. Most
caterers do not bring their own tables for the food
and expect the tables they need to be there, setup and
ready to go. They usually give themselves enough time
to do what they have been hired to do and have no time
to set up 150 chairs and 16 tables for your guest.
They also usually do not supply the cloths for your
rental tables either.
Now we'll talk about the locations that might cost a
little bit more. See what you get for the price your
quoted. Do they supply tables, linens, chairs, dance
floor if you need one? Does the place look great
already or do you have to bring in a lot of
decorations to make it look the way you want? Can you
bring in your own alcohol or do you have to buy it
from them? Do they setup and clean up the area you are
renting? Will there be someone around to let
deliveries in ahead of time. How is their kitchen? If
your bringing in your own caterer this means a lot.
You might want a seated dinner for 100 people. If
their kitchen is small and poorly equipped you'll need
to change your plans about dinner or your location.
Can it seat 100 people and have room to walk, dance or
mingle. If it rains or its cold, can everyone get
inside and be together (not half upstairs and half
down stairs) When they say they can hold 200 people
does that mean inside or does it mean using porches
and lawns. Is it air-conditioned? If your planning a
bar ask how many bathrooms does it offer. You might
laugh at this, but 100 people drinking beer and a one
toilet bathroom do not go well together. If you have
to use their caterer ask if this firm has references,
pictures, insurance,and how long have they been in
business. (This is important to know even if you hire
your own caterer.)
Sometimes caterers can be like reception sites. If
they quote you prices that are to good to be true
there might be a reason for it.) More then once I've
had brides calling at the last minute crying that the
caterer they chose couldn't do their wedding because
they went out of business, had to go out of town or
were sick and had no one else to take over. You need
to deal with people that have a track record.
Locations, caterers, florist, photographers, and limo
services come and go. Make sure who you pick will be
there 9 months from now. Ask the question " What
if ? " If you do your homework you shouldn't have
any surprises hit you 2 weeks before the wedding. I've
had people say to me the day of the wedding "
You're the one person we know we didn't have to worry
about " Think about it. Why did you hire the
rest? If your not sure if someone you hired will do a
good or great job why would you go with them? Look
around. Feel good about your choices in location,
caterer, florist, etc.
This is going to be one of the biggest days in your
life and it should also be the most stress free one
that you can possibly make it. Afterwards wouldn't it
be wonderful to get feed back like " The place
was beautiful, the food was wonderful. We had the best
time we've ever had at a wedding " and not "
Where did you dig that caterer up from", "
At least the roof didn't leak ", " No one
really noticed the cake was leaning. Or " That
would have been a good picture if his thumb hadn't
gotten in the way.! " Make your choices wisely
and make your big day fun for everyone.
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