How to Choose a Wedding Reception Location

A wedding location can make a huge difference to a wedding celebration. It creates the atmosphere and provides comfort for the people attending the event. Most of all, the allows people to enjoy themselves and truly celebrate the unity of two people coming together as one.

Sourcing a wedding location needs effort and time. It depends on several considerations as well in order for everything to work out fine. The following 6 tips gives an overview of what is generally needed in selecting a location for a perfect wedding reception.

1. Cost
Setting a budget is crucial for a wedding reception location. As the wedding reception is only a small part of the wedding proper, you wouldn't want to blow too large a proportion of your budget on the reception and too little for the rest. Setting out a budget also allows you to narrow down the places you would want to hold the reception and provides a starting point for the planning process.

2. Theme
Having a theme to the wedding reception is key to generating the tone and mood you want for the wedding. It should be a key factor when it comes to the selection of the location itself. You wouldn't want a safari theme at a beach location nor a rock-and-roll theme at a Catholic church. Find complementing locations for the theme you have agreed upon with your partner. If there are no preferences for any theme, you could always go for the traditional reception-after-the-wedding at the location of your wedding ceremony.

3. Location
Accessibility is the most important aspect when it comes to deciding the location. What is the use of holding a reception when most of your guests would not be able to attend it? Select a place where there is sufficient parking space for attendees to leave their cars. Is it indoor or outdoor? If the latter, do provision for wet-weather too. You might want to consider having a place near the wedding ceremony.

4. Date and Time
There are many popular days for weddings and yours might be falling on one of them. Do note that during these days, there are usually premium charges to the popular places where weddings are held. Another factor is the availability of the location on peak seasons too. So plan and book early, once you have settled the wedding ceremony and theme of the reception proper. Note the time and length of the location booked too. It would be embarrassing if the attendees have to be chased out. Usually three to four hours would suffice with some entertainment.

5. Size and facilities
Ensure that the place is large enough for all your guests. Provision for a larger room area especially if there are children. A garden or a play area would be ideal for people to mingle and children to run around. Also note the restroom facilities are sufficient for the number of guests you have. A location that can provide inhouse entertainment would make it a little easier for planning.

6. Food and Drinks
Arranging around the theme of your wedding reception, the location ought to provide you with the options of a seated, passed-tray or buffet arrangement of the meal. Ask if alcohol is allowed on the premises and if they are able to provide any catering services (or allow caterers to set up their spread in the premises).