Reception Site Dilemmas

 

There are pros and cons to just about any reception site you choose. Various factors may sway you toward one facility or another.

Budget is usually the driving force behind where to host your wedding day celebration. Once you narrow it down to a few facilities in the same range, you may have to weigh some other priorities.

Guest count will also decide reception locale. You want to ensure you can fit guests, service staff, extra tables for gifts, cake, and dance floor.

If many of your guests are from out-of-town, you may decide to hold your reception (or both ceremony and reception) in a hotel ballroom.

Most often you will be able to arrange a block of rooms at a preferred price for all of your wedding guests, and the two of you could be given a complimentary bridal suite for the evening. This is perfect for guests who want to imbibe but not drive. The hotel may also provide you and your groups with amenities such as airport transportation and a hospitality suite where your guests can congregate as part of your package.

Banquet facilities including some golf courses and country clubs offer picturesque areas such as gazebos, bridges or patios over-looking a pond or immaculately manicured greens. This atmosphere and scenery are ideal for photographers but it’s wise to plan for weather ailments such as rain, ice or snow. The dining facilities at banquet halls are often able to handle large numbers of guests from both a seating standpoint and their expertly honed kitchens, as they handle groups on a frequent basis.

The vast amount of space often extends beyond the party grounds to the parking lots, which can handle vehicles for a large group as well, and are often attended by a complimentary valet service.

Many reception locales also have a preferred list of wedding vendors. This does not mean that you cannot hire a different vendor. It's always a good idea to ask for the preferred list, see what your options are and interview vendors from the preferred list as well as your own.

A destination wedding at a resort allows easy access to all of the wedding events, which are most likely held on the property. As a mini-vacation for the bridal party and guests, resorts often handle all the details so you and your fiancé can relax without worrying.