How to choose a banquet hall for a wedding?
How to choose a banquet hall for a wedding?
Blog Article
Six main criteria for choosing a banquet venue. What should you pay special attention to? What questions should you definitely discuss with the banquet manager?
1. Price
Get four key points straight away:
Point #1
What components make up the final cost of the banquet. Many providers, in addition to the cost of food and drinks, charge for renting the premises and service (usually % of the order amount). Also find out what is included in the price and what is for an additional fee.
Point #2
Are there any services imposed by the organizer (decor, wedding cake, etc.)
Point #3
Is the contractual price fixed? Sometimes the bride and groom are kindly informed at the last minute that due to a change in supplier prices for products, the cost has increased, for example, by 10-15%. It's a shame, but there's no escape…
Point #4
Is it allowed to bring your own alcohol and food (fruit, slices, cake) - this allows you to significantly reduce the cost of the final bill. Is there a corkage fee (fee for alcohol brought with you).
2. Room size
- Check not only the number of seats, but also the total area of the hall. The phrase "the hall accommodates up to 100 people" does not mean that these hundred will be spacious and comfortable there.
- Is there enough space for dancing, as well as for musicians with their bulky equipment?
- If you are planning a show program, remember that many artists have specific requirements for the premises, depending on the specifics of the numbers (size of the venue, floor surface, ceiling height, etc.).
3. Menu
You can evaluate the quality of food and service by coming to the company as an ordinary visitor and ordering the dishes you are interested in. If this is not possible, try to find out as much information as possible when discussing the menu with the administrator: look through the catalogs (if any), clarify the portion sizes, and the composition of the dishes. Find out whether hot drinks are served with cake.
4. Convenience and equipment
Please note the following:
- How convenient is car parking?
- Is the air conditioning system working properly (in case of extreme heat), is there a cloakroom (if the wedding is in cold weather).
- Are there designated smoking areas?
- The number and convenience of toilets (for example, is there a basic opportunity to wash your hands with soap).
- Is there a special room for changing artists?
- If the establishment has several banquet halls, find out how isolated they are from each other.
- What is the technical equipment of the hall: lighting and sound equipment, screens, sockets.
- Is there a refrigerator to store the cake, a serving trolley, a nice knife and spatula?
- Condition of furniture and textiles.
- Are there vases for donated flowers?
5. If an off-site registration is planned
- Evaluate the locations offered for the ceremony. Pay attention to the general background, privacy, extraneous noise, lighting.
- Ask about the availability of sockets / extension cords.
- Make sure there is enough space for guests to watch the ceremony comfortably. Can the banquet hall rental provide chairs/benches and under what conditions?
- Please check the possibility of organizing a buffet after registration.
6. Organizational issues
Be sure to discuss with the administrator:
- All existing prohibitions and restrictions: on the installation of decorations, the use of pyrotechnics, candles, smoke machines, and so on.
- Possibility of connecting tables and ways of arranging them, based on the number of your guests.
- Does the banquet hall provider close for the duration of the wedding celebration (sometimes this depends on the total cost of the banquet).
- Until what time is the organization open, is it possible to extend this time and under what conditions.
- At what intervals will hot dishes be served? The cake should also be served at a strictly specified time.
- What are the possibilities for zoning the site, where is it better to install the newlyweds' table, musical equipment, welcome area, photo zone, etc.
- Is there a children's menu?
- Who will provide access to the site for decorators (especially relevant for early installation), what time is given for dismantling the decor.
- Are there containers and bags to collect the remaining products?
And finally, some useful tips:
If you want to hold a wedding in a certain style / color / theme, then choose a banquet hall rental whose interior matches (at least does not contradict) the concept you have chosen.
- If the wedding is planned in a canteen or budget cafe, then you should pay special attention to such details as: cutlery, napkins, tablecloths, chairs, etc.
- If the banquet hall suits you in all the main parameters, but the cost is slightly higher than planned, do not rush to refuse, evaluate the interior of the premises - some halls are so luxurious and self-sufficient that you can save on decorating the premises, limiting yourself to a few floral arrangements.
- All agreements must be documented - this concerns approved prices, dishes, the fact of prepayment, etc. It is better if a preliminary agreement is concluded, in which all conditions are clearly spelled out.
- If you are planning to celebrate your wedding in a popular venue, or if this special day falls in the midst of graduation parties or New Year's corporate parties, you need to negotiate the banquet hall rental as early as possible (at least 4-5 months in advance).
What should you pay attention to when choosing a banquet hall for a large event?
When choosing a banquet hall for a large event, it is important to consider several key factors.
- First, make sure the hall has enough capacity to comfortably accommodate all your guests.
- Second, check for the availability of necessary equipment, such as a sound system, projectors, and microphones that may be needed for speeches or presentations.
- Third, pay attention to the availability of parking spaces and convenient access to public transportation.
- And, of course, do not forget to read reviews from other customers to get an idea of the quality of service and the overall condition of the hall.
How to choose a banquet hall if we have a limited budget?
When you have a limited budget, it’s important to plan carefully and evaluate all your options. Start by setting a clear budget and looking for venues that fit your budget. Many banquet halls offer different packages, so be sure to research all the available options and choose the one that best suits your budget.
You may also want to consider hosting your event on weekdays or off-season, when prices may be lower. Don’t be shy about negotiating and discussing any discounts or special offers. Finally, check if you can bring your own drinks or food, which can also cut costs significantly. Report this page