The location that you choose to host your wedding affects everything. A beautiful location with experienced staff will make your wedding day a dream. When the venue staff is unresponsive, the whole process can quickly become stressful. Make sure your wedding day is a dream come true by learning the top 5 questions to ask wedding reception venues.

How Many Events Do You Have In One Day? It is best to choose a location which will have just one wedding a day, so that your event gets the attention it deserves. Venues which have several weddings at the same time can find it difficult to give each one personal attention. Besides, who wants to run into another bride in the ladies’ room; it just doesn’t make you feel as special not to be the only one. Some sites do not have more than one event at the same time, but schedule them back to back for the same day. You may find that the venue does not leave enough time between events for setting up the space. If there is a reception before yours and it runs long, you will be very rushed trying to set up your party.

What Is Included In The Price? When you shop for wedding jewelry, it is easy to compare apples to apples. It is tricky to compare prices when the quotes include different things. Some might have a higher initial quote that includes every last expense. Some reception halls may sound inexpensive initially, until you discover that you have a million little “extras” to pay for. Be sure that you know what is included in the estimate you get from each wedding reception venue, and what is not. Remember that the tips and taxes are usually not in the estimate and they can add hundreds to your bill.

Can I Talk To Former Brides? Before signing a contract with any reception site, talk to other brides who have used them! This is the best way to find out what the experience of working with the coordinator and staff was really like. Of course they will only give you the names of people they knew were happy, but at least that proves that they have satisfied customers. And if the venue cannot provide you with references, run the other way!

What Is The Total Length Of Time We Will Have Access To The Room? The average wedding reception lasts about 4 – 6 hours, but that is not the length of time that you need the space for. Your vendors will need sufficient time to arrange the centerpieces, dress the tables, and so forth. Cleaning up after the party can take an hour or more. The amount of additional time required will depend on how elaborate your wedding décor will be, but anything less than two hours will be tight. If you will be bringing in tons of rentals, a lighting specialist, complicated centerpieces, and so on, you might need access to the space for the entire day. Be sure to find out how many hours of access to the space the contract will include.

When Do We Make The Last Payment? To book any wedding reception venue, you will need to put down a sizable deposit when you sign the contract. Before your wedding day, the remaining balance will have to be paid. Sites often require payment in full a few weeks before the wedding. Some venues charge by the drink for open bar service, so ask how that is balanced out after the wedding. Generally you will have to pay an average bar bill before your wedding, and if your tab ran higher, they will send you a bill. You really want to know exactly what you are getting before you sign a contract to avoid any unpleasant issues down the line!

Much attention is given to getting a bride ready for her wedding. There are countless people to help her select the perfect bridal gown, wedding jewelry, and hairstyle to look as perfect as possible on her wedding day. But what about the groom? The groom also needs to look his best! Follow these easy steps to get your groom ready to look his best when you tie the knot.

Normally the bride sets the tone with her attire and then she helps her groom pick out something that will look good with her gown. Certainly their attire should coordinate with yours. A formal bridal gown with a lot of beading calls for the equivalent male attire, which would be a tux. When the bride is wearing an elegant wedding dress for a daytime ceremony, the groom should wear a handsome suit. You might be surprised to learn how many men love the idea of having a new suit made especially for their nuptials. A fine tailor can alter his suit to look almost like it is bespoke. The groom might also want to consider having a custom tie or bow tie made in the wedding colors or theme.

The groom’s attire needs to be ironed before the wedding so he looks nice and neat at the wedding. The bride will no doubt look perfect as she glides down the aisle in her special gown and elegant wedding jewelry. She should not be greeted by a rumpled guy waiting at the altar! The majority of men will need to be reminded to have their suits altered and pressed in time for the big day. He may also need guidance on selecting the appropriate shoes to match his suit, and on picking the right socks for a formal occasion. Giving his outfit the once over will ensure that he has not forgotten anything he needs, like cufflinks!

Although the average guy has a pretty minimal beauty routine, he still needs to take care of a few things to look good for his nuptials. A fresh haircut is a must. It should be scheduled for about a week before the wedding so it does not look like he had it cut that morning. Naturally the groom should shave the morning of the wedding. This might be the time for a man to treat himself to a professional shave at a barbershop. Bearded gentlemen should take the time to have them carefully groomed.

One of the key moments in the marriage ceremony is the ring exchange. A professional manicure is the bride’s secret to picture-ready hands and fingernails. The average guy has never had his hands manicured. That said, if you can talk him into it, a no polish paraffin manicure will really help get your groom’s hands in tip top shape. They will make sure his nails are not raggedy, that cuticles are neat, and that his hands feel smooth. Unfortunately, the guys with the most beat up looking hands are usually the ones who are least likely to get a manicure. At the minimum he should clean up his own fingernails so they are not rough.

That is about all it takes to get a man ready to look his best when he gets married. Men should wait to put on their suits until close to the wedding begins so they look crisp and unrumpled for the ceremony. The pair of you will look absolutely divine in your wedding pictures!