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We go into greater detail about the three types of reception sites you can choose from, giving you the pros and cons of each. Each type of site has different services available to you, and of course, different costs. Explore them all here.
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In this video we will go into detail about your three reception site options, and the pros and cons of each one.
Choice #1 is a reception site that includes all food and beverage services, which we will call the “all inclusive option”. On the plus side of the ‘all inclusive’, you get a price per person that includes the facility, food, tables, silverware, china, linens, liquor service, etc.You don’t have to worry about getting appropriate licenses, or all the work with arranging caterers, liquor service, etc.On the down side, you will be limited to the type of china and linens they can provide, and the menu choices they can provide.Facilities that typically have this type of service are hotels, restaurants, clubs, etc.
You will have to check with this type of facility to see if the restrictions really do exist—the competition for wedding business has made many hotels much more responsive to the unique needs of brides.Many hotels (for an additional cost, of course) will bring in colour linens or create special menu items for you.That is why we have the checklist so you can ask the questions that are important to what you want to create for your wedding.
Choice #2 is a reception site, like a community hall, that has kitchen facilities for the caterer that you hire.We will call this option the ‘rental option’ because you will rent the facility, which provides tables, chairs, china, silverware, linens, bar stations, etc.If you choose this option, you will have to hire a caterer, arrange for a liquor license, and hire someone to purchase the liquor and oversee the running of the bar (unless the caterer will do it).
The up side of the rental option is that it is often less expensive than the ‘all inclusive’ option that provides everything for a cost per person.Of course, you can negate those savings by bringing in all kinds of “extras”, but you can make the site exactly the way you want it.On the down side, it is more work for you arranging for a caterer and bar service, etc.
Choice #3 is a reception site that is building or site only—like a factory, or a public garden, and so forth.We will call this option “site only”.In this case, you will have to arrange for everything—tables, chairs, china, linens, bar stations, stools, food and liquor licenses and insurance, and you will hire your own caterer and bar staff, and so forth
This type of location lets you create your wedding exactly the way you want it.You will have full control over every choice from the china pattern to type of reception tables and chairs.You will arrange for the caterer, and bar service from swivel sticks to menu choices.The cost will vary depending upon your choices, but this is usually the most expensive of the three options.