Tips for Choosing a Banquet Facility or Reception Hall - Wedding Compass

How to choose a banquet hall or facility for your wedding reception in Southern California.

It’s not always a quick and easy process when selecting a banquet hall for your wedding reception.  If you are having a wedding in California, you want a good size location but not TOO big, you don’t need a Ballroom, or you have decided to choose not to afford a hotel ballroom. Perhaps all you desire is privacy for you event, you only want to be the one event taking place so the staff possibly does not get spread too thin. Did you know that even some restaurants offer the privacy you desire with a private room or oversized outdoor patio space with a private bar for your guests?

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Things to consider when planning your reception:

How far away will the reception be from the wedding? If people have to drive too far, chances are they won’t go. They’re more likely to find an excuse as to why they can’t go. This is one reason for considering the facilities that your church has to offer.

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How long after the wedding ceremony will the reception begin?

If it’s several hours this also gives people a chance to reconsider if they want to attend or not. A good rule of thumb is to have the reception within one to two hours of the wedding. People are still hyped up and looking forward to the party.

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How many people do you plan to attend the reception? This is one of the major criteria for the place you ultimately choose. Many areas claim it can hold 200 people–go look at the place and see if it will hold them comfortably. No one wants to be crowded. You want to have plenty of room for a dance floor and tables for people to sit at as well.

Smoking or Non-smoking facilities used to be a big issue. These days most places are smoke free but having an outside smoking area is and should be a consideration for guests who smoke.
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Holidays and other events. Choosing your wedding day around holidays is generally a no-brainier, but other things you want to consider is the sports fans in your family.

The major consideration when choosing a banquet facility or reception hall is, of course, the expense. Some venues, locations will charge high fees plus a deposit, while others will charge a small fee with a deposit. In either case you should be able to recover the deposit by leaving the place clean and sparkling.

While making plans for your big day, don’t forget about the party after-wards, if you choose to have a reception. Choosing a place to hold the wedding reception can be a daunting task in itself, but it is something you need to decide on early and get it booked well in advance.Gallery
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