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Reception Hall Advice

1.    The standard reception length is four hours, make sure you can purchase additional hours if desired (if your having fun you want to have a choice to continue.)

2.    If you are paying for a bar or alcohol package, ask if they shut down the bar during dinner.  If you only get an open bar for 2½ hours why pay for 4.  Also bar packages vary greatly from one place to another.  Make sure when you compare pricing you are comparing apples to apples.  One hall may serve top shelf liquors and imported beers for the same price and you are paying for well drinks and kegs.  Don't be fooled.

3.    Most of the negative feedback on reception halls is because of hidden charges.  Sometimes a great deal can turn into a great deal of money.  See what is included in prices quoted to you.  A $15 dollar meal can easily turn into $30 after they add charges for table cloths, plates, glasses, set-up, break-down etc.

4.    Halls range in how they assign bartenders and servers to your event.  They will often try charging for additional bartenders after you have signed up.  As a rule of thumb you need 1 bartender to every 100 guests to ensure the bar does not get backed up.

5.    Many reception halls have reduced pricing for Saturday afternoons and and Friday nights.  If your on a tight budget this may be an option so you can still have the wedding of your dreams.  Dj's and photographers also often run specials for these times.

6.    Most reception halls can offer discount rates on wedding "add-ons".  If you are looking for a chocolate fountain, ice sculpture, chair covers, etc. see if you can get a better price through your hall.

7.    If you have guest coming from out of town you want to make sure there are hotels near by, and that you can get a block of rooms.  Sometimes you can even get the hotel to provide shuttle service.

8.    Ask how they prepare their food.  Catered in is never quite as good as made fresh on site.  If it is made on site is it made from scratch or taken out a package and baked.  If the hall doesn't make the food from scratch then you can probably find the same thing in your grocers freezer (processed food doesn't give the best impression).

9.    Make sure that there is parking for your guests.  Sometimes parking is an afterthought but limited parking can cause a huge headache for your guests.