Six Steps for Selecting the Perfect Reception Site
Joyce Scardinia Becker
When you first become engaged, it is a very exciting time, and you are probably anxious to run out and find a location for your wedding reception immediately. But to pick the perfect place, you should do some important preparation first. I recommend a six-step process for selecting the right site:
Determine your requirements. Ask yourselves these questions:
When do you want to get married? Identify some preferred dates, but don't pick an exact date yet unless it has some important meaning to you.
How many people do you expect at your wedding? This is an extremely important question because you don't want to end up with a venue that is either too large or too small. Put together a detailed list of all the guests you want to invite (including their full names and addresses). Then estimate how many guests are likely to attend. (As a general rule of thumb, I find that about 80 percent of guests invited to a wedding actually attend.) Also, estimate the number of overnight accommodations your group might need, based on out-of-town guests you expect.
Determine your wedding vision based on your style and tastes.
Do you want to be married indoors or outdoors?
Do you prefer formal, casual or contemporary styles?
What colors, flowers and fabrics are you visualizing for your wedding day?
What time of day do you see yourself getting married?
Determine the flow of the wedding.
For example, most weddings begin with the ceremony, followed by cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, then dinner and dancing. It is preferable to have separate spaces for each elemen so the transition among them can take place smoothly. If you want to have your ceremony in a separate location, such as a church, it should ideally be 10 minutes from the reception site, but no more than 20 minutes away.
Identify your preferred geographic area and types of venues.
Do you want to be in the big city, out in the country, by the ocean, or in the suburbs?
Do you want a site that feels regal, natural, nautical, historical, hip, artistic or theatrical?
Gather information on potentially suitable venues in your preferred geographic areas.
Go to bookstores to find regional bridal magazines and wedding books. Contact local Chambers of Commerce or Convention & Visitors Bureaus for information and suggestions. Visit popular wedding Web sites like TheKnot.com and BlissBridal.com.
Now you can go pick out a site.
Call potentially appropriate sites to find out what dates they have available, then visit each venue that has availability on one of your preferred dates. Select the most suitable site, based on the estimated size of your group, the availability of nearby overnight accommodations for out-of-town guests, the desired flow of your wedding, and most importantly, your wedding vision.
Joyce Scardinia Becker
Events of Distinction
joyce@eventsofdistinction.com
866 99 EVENT
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