Wedding Receptions at Hotels, Restaurants and Banqueting Suites

The main advantage of holding the reception in a hotel, restaurant or banqueting suite is that they can organise all the catering and other arrangements leaving the couple and their family to enjoy the celebration.

When you have drawn up a short-list, it is a good idea to visit the hotels or restaurants for a meal before making enquiries. This will give some idea as to their standards of food, service and the general atmosphere of the venue.

Many function venues provide a wedding service. They may offer an inclusive price for a fixed number of guests which includes changing room for the couple, food, drink table decorations etc. or they offer these services for an extra charge. Ask for a brochure, if available, and then arrange an appointment.

The following is a list of topics to be discussed before making a booking:

• The number of guests and the size of the function room. The larger venues may have several function rooms of different sizes.
• The menu. Most venues will offer a choice of menus and wines at various prices. Ask what provisions they make for special diets such as vegetarian or for diabetics.
• Seating plans. Ask what seating plans are possible in the space available. The final choice will depend on which groupings of people you think get on well with each other.
• Discuss the times when the reception venues will be open to your guest and the timings of meals, music etc. Make sure that there are no time gaps between the wedding and reception or reception and evening celebration and if this is unavoidable inform guests in advance.
• Room and table decorations. Ask to see the table linen and place settings to ensure they do not clash with the overall colour scheme of the wedding. Floral room and table decorations and balloons may be supplied by the venue or you may wish to use another supplier from outside.
• Parking. Does the venue have enough parking spaces for all guests and, if not, is it easily available in the surrounding area?
• On arrival, guests are usually greeted and offered a drink. The venue will probably offer Champagne, sparkling wine, Bucks Fizz or Sherry. Ask for prices and which soft drinks they can offer.
• Will the head waiter or some other member of staff act as master of ceremonies?
• Changing room for bride and groom. Most venues offer a room for the bride and groom to change in.
• Ask which other weddings are taking place on the same day and if you will you be sharing any facilities such as bars or reception areas.
• Check the toilet facilities. The bride and bridesmaids will need more room than usual if they are they are wearing elaborate skirts.
• Does the venue have an adjoining room or perhaps a table in a corner of the main room where wedding gifts can be displayed?
• If the reception is being held in a hotel they will often offer special rates for the bridal suite or for guests to stay overnight.

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