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!