If you are not familiar with the term wedding reception, the wedding reception is the part of your wedding day when you and your guests enjoy a meal together typically after the ceremony. Your wedding reception is a big part of your wedding day so when you decide on your reception location keep a few things in mind such as how many people does it comfortably accommodate, parking and reception services it offers. There is also the cost factor that should always be put into consideration when hiring a venue for a wedding.



Some popular locations for receptions are banquet halls, hotels, golf courses, restaurants gardens and private homes. Consider having your ceremony at the same facility as your reception to save a second rental fee. The proximity of location for the venue should be such where you and your guest can reach easily. On a hectic wedding day, worrying about traffic and directions shouldn't be an issue. Look for a place to take some wedding photos, such as a large fireplace or interesting staircase.

One of the first things you should do after deciding to get married is book your wedding hall or reception venue. Good banquet facilities are in constant use, so book early, a year ahead is not an unusual length of time. Take your time and compare all the halls before you decide to book.

If you are planning to have your wedding reception outdoors, keep in mind that you will have no control over the weather on your wedding day, so keep a back up plan handy if you are going this route. Botanical Gardens are beautiful and cost effective and you won't have to spend a lot on decorations and flowers.

These are important questions to ask when inquiring about a reception venue:

What dates & times are available?

What is guest seating capacity?

What is the payment policy?

What is the cancellation policy?

Can you use the same room for ceremony and reception and if so, how long do they need to flip the room?

What about parking facilities and handicap accessibility?

Will there be other events next to yours on the same day?

Is a changing room available?

Can you bring in outside decorations?

Is there a place for the kids to run off steam?

Can you bring your own DJ or live entertainment, or must you use the house disc jockey?

Bar (open/cash/host) ?

Total cost?