Wedding Vendors - Part Three

Part three of a series: Wedding Vendors- What do you know about the people you are hiring to serve you at your wedding?

This series of blogs covers key elements of vendors and what to look for when hiring. When the wedding is over and the cake and food are eaten, the tangible part of the wedding is the photos and videos. These precious memories should not be trusted to just anyone. A venue is defined as a location for an event.

Traditional venues can include churches, chapels or halls. Non-traditional venues can include parks, museums, historic homes, or just about any place that will accommodate the size of the guest list. A wedding can have several venues used for the different parts of the day. A bride may get dressed and take preliminary pictures at a hotel, then go to the church for the ceremony. Afterwards, the reception can be at a historic home. I have even known couples to take their closest friends to a club for an after-party. On the flipside, a couple could have a simple ceremony in the park and dinner at a restaurant.
The choice of where to have a wedding is based on several factors including availability, cost, and personal preference. Popular locations may not be available for a date wanted. That is why it is important to begin the planning process as soon as possible by compiling a guest list. This gives you a ballpark idea as to the size of the venue needed. Falling in love with the little chapel on the corner may be wonderful, but reserving the venue only to realize that they can only accommodate 50 and your guest list is 200 can cost you not only time, but also any deposits you may have put down.

Key questions to ask a venue include:

· What is included in the rental fee? (tables and chairs; decorations; cake and punch reception; officiant)
· How much time is allowed for decoration of the site and how soon does it need to be cleared?
· Are there any special requirements for alcohol to be served? (many venues do not allow alcohol or may require that security be hired for the event)
· Are there any prohibited items? (many venues are not allowing confetti or birdseed because of clean up and safety issues)

While it may seem “less expensive” to have your wedding in the backyard of your parents, it can be much more expensive once all of the hidden costs are added on. Not everyone has service for 50 or have the room to seat even half that many people. Tables and chairs, china, flatware, and decorations all quickly add up. In addition, the host of the event cannot relax and enjoy the party and will often end up spending many hours “fixing up” the location in the weeks before. This may be a source of tension in the future because of the stress.

The key to choosing a wedding venue is to research your choices before making the decisions and do not make impulse purchases.
In the next installment: Florists