It’s one of the most important days of your life. You’ve dreamed of this day since you were a little girl. The flowers, the dress, the cake and of course the food! When it comes to wedding planning, finding the right restaurant for your reception is a top priority.
To help you with that, we’ve put together a list of essential questions you should ask any restaurant you’re considering for your big day.
49 Questions you can ask a restaurant for your wedding reception:
- What is the maximum capacity of your venue?
- Is there a minimum?
- Do you have a separate area for dancing?
- How many people can that accommodate?
- Do you have an in-house sound system or do we need to bring our own?
- What is included in your rental fee? i.e., tables, chairs, linens, etc.?
- Do you have any restrictions on décor or florals?
- Do you have in-house catering or do we need to hire an outside vendor? If so, is there a kitchen on-site that our caterer can use?
- What are your alcohol policies? Are we able to bring in our own alcohol or does it need to be purchased through you?
- Is there a corkage fee?
- What are your food allergies/restrictions policies?
- Do you have any vegetarian or vegan options available?
- Can you accommodate guests with special dietary needs such as gluten-free or Kosher meals?
- What is the price per head for plated meals vs buffet style?
- Do you offer tasting menus for our event? If so, how much does that cost, and how far in advance do we need to book it?
- What are my menu choices? May we please see a sample menu?
- How much input do we have when it comes to customizing our menu choices?
- May I please speak with the chef directly if I have any questions or requests regarding our menu selections?
- What is included in your quoted price per headcount (i.e., appetizers, salad, entrée)? Does that price include dessert or coffee/tea service as well?
- Does the quoted price per headcount include sales tax and gratuity fees already or do those need to be added on top of that amount later on?
- Could you provide me with an itemized breakdown of all taxes and fees associated with my final bill so I know exactly what I am being charged for before signing anything?
- Do you offer any discounts (i..e., seasonal promotions) that I might be able to take advantage of?
- When is the latest date that I can provide you with my final guest count number?
- How much will I be charged per person if I go over my original guest count number by more than 10%?
- Do I need to put down a deposit and if so, how much is it?
- When is the latest date that I am able to accept cancellations without being penalized?
- What is your cancellation policy should I need to cancel my event for any reason?
- Are you flexible at all when it comes to renegotiating pricing should my budget change unexpectedly prior to the signed contract date?
- Who will be our point of contact on the day of the event?
- What is the maximum capacity of your venue?
- What is the rental fee for the venue?
- What is the cost per person for an open bar?
- What is the cost per person for a cash bar?
- Are there any additional fees associated with hosting our wedding reception at your venue?
- When would we be able to access the venue to set up for our reception?
- When would we need to vacate the venue after our reception?
- Do you have liability insurance in case of accidents or injuries on the premises?
- Do you have any references we could contact who have held their wedding reception at your venue in the past?
- May we tour your facility before making a decision?
- What is the deposit required to book the venue?
- When is the final payment due?
- Can we bring our own decorations?
- Is there a separate area for the cocktail hour?
- Is there a discount for booking a certain number of guests?
- Are there any additional fees?
- Do you have a liquor license?
- Is the restaurant available on the date of the wedding?
- Is outside alcohol permitted?
- Does the rental fee include set-up and clean-up?
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a wedding reception be?
Most couples want to celebrate their wedding with friends and family, so a wedding reception is a must. How long the reception should last depends on the couple’s preferences and the time they have allotted for the celebration.
Typically, receptions last between two and six hours. It’s important to discuss with your caterer how much time you’ll need for the food and what other activities you would like to include, such as dancing or speeches.
If you’re planning a longer reception, be sure to have enough food and drinks on hand so your guests don’t go hungry or thirsty.
What should you not do at a wedding reception?
At a wedding reception, you should not be drunk, disorderly, or rude. You should also not dance on the tables or chairs or try to start a fight. If you follow these simple rules, you’ll have a great time at the wedding reception!
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect restaurant for your wedding reception can be daunting but hopefully, this blog post has given you some valuable questions to ask along the way! Wishing you all the best in the next phase of planning and beyond!
