Your Wedding Reception: Choosing a Venue

When thinking about a wedding venue, there are two very important decisions that should be made before anything else moves forward.  The first is the number of guests attending; having a good idea of how many guests you will need to accommodate can help you narrow down your choices when looking for your venue.  And as always, be very aware of your budget.  Don’t invite more guests than you can financially accommodate.

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Save money on a minister; have a friend or family member do the ceremony for you.  There are plenty of sites online that allow a person to become an ordained minister.  Ask a close friend or family member to become ordained and provide the ceremony, in lieu of buying a wedding gift.  It’s a great way to save money and it also adds a personal touch to your ceremony.

After you have finalized your guest list, decide if your ceremony and reception are going to be in the same location.  A good way to figure this out is to ask yourself where you see yourself exchanging vows.  If you’re planning on a traditional wedding ceremony in a church or religious setting, find out what’s available to you.  Depending on the facilities location, you may be able to have your reception at the church.  The church facilities may not be as decorative or luxurious as you may want; however, by having your wedding in one location you’ll save money on transportation.  One location means no limo fees.

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If you’re having your ceremony in a church, be aware of the fees you’re asked to pay.  Every church is different.  Some locations only ask that you pay the pastor/priest and possibly give a donation.  Others churches may ask for candle fees, janitorial fees, set up and/or clean up fees.  The only way to know for sure is to ask.  Most of the time you can call the church offices and ask over the phone.  If you or your spouse belong to that particular church, make sure that you ask about any possible discounts for being a member.

Renaissance Philadelphia Hotel Airport

If you’re not planning on getting married in a church, or if you want your reception separate from your church ceremony, start shopping around for wedding venues in your area.  Hotels are always a good place to start.  They often have large ballrooms available, along with seating and tables that they’re willing to provide.  Hotel and other indoor receptions also afford you the opportunity to save money.  Since your guests will be inside anyway, plan your wedding in an off-season.  This could save you hundreds.

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Get the most out of your hotel reception.  Some hotels will offer you a discount on their facilities and wedding services if you have family and friends staying at the hotel.  You may also get lower rates on the sleeping rooms if you book far in advance or plan on booking many rooms.  Be sure to talk to the appropriate manager when discussing discounts and room reservations.

Planning your reception may feel overwhelming at first.  Just remember to take it one step at a time.  Hopefully these tips will help you on your way to finding a wedding venue that’s right for you.  For more money saving wedding tips about food, music, decorations, and more, keep an eye out for more blogs in this “All About Receptions” series.