How To Ask The Right questions
Weddings are the stuff of dreams for most girls since childhood especially when they’ve spent half of it watching Disney movies. For men, weddings are telltale signs of maturity and coming of age given the great commitment that it entails. For both would-be brides and grooms, it is a day that they’ll be pledging willingly to a life of faithfulness and unconditional love. Their closest family members and friends will be bearing witness to their vows and embarking on this journey as a support system on the crazy ride they are about to take.
Given how special we all regard weddings, there are intricate measures to be taken to ensure that that fateful day shall stand as a worthy testament to their love and future life together. Where they exchange their vows and seal the deal will make a significant mark in their life as husband and wife. This goes without saying that a large dent shall be impressed upon their bank accounts as well.
While we all love the the reception locations in Southern California with their picturesque Beach locations, some couples are wary about spending a lot of money on their preferred wedding location. Among the wedding dresses, accommodations, the tux, the party favors and the venue, there’s a lot of tug-of-war that ensues on which gets the bigger budget. It is imperative then that your choice of which of the wedding venues in Orange County to exchange vows offers you the best deal for your money. I’ve listed below the important questions you should be asking when you evaluate prospective Orange County wedding venues.
Space
Whether you’re looking at an intimate gathering or a large crowd, your final choice of all the wedding venues in Orange County you’ve toured should be able to provide your guests with a comfortable seating arrangement. Some Orange County wedding venues place the buffet table outside of the reception hall to give more space for the wedding party. This will however cause your guests to go back out every time they refill their plates and will cause a lot of traffic especially if the room only has one main door. To verify if your chosen location is conducive for your wedding party, ask your contact person these questions:
- How many persons can the room accommodate in a banquet setup with round tables? With rectangular tables?
- What are the dimensions of the stage and dance floor that you can provide?
- Can you still accommodate a presidential table for the wedding sponsors?
- Will you be placing the buffet inside or outside? The bar?
Package Inclusions
Most wedding venues in Orange County have pre-set wedding packages for interested couples. Depending on the kind of venue (hotel, resort, banquet hall, restaurant, etc), the packages will usually include use of venue, food for the number of guests (plated or buffet), and banquet set-up. More comprehensive packages will allow you free use of basic sounds and lights system, projector and projector screen and use of the foyer for guests looking for a little quiet time. There are Orange County wedding venues however who charge extra for almost all other facilities and equipment outside of venue rental and banquet set-up. To ensure that you don’t acquire any incidentals outside your budget, ask your venue these questions:
- What equipment inside the function room can I use free of charge?
- Will you be charging electricity fee if I bring in my own equipment?
- Do you have an accredited list of sounds and lights suppliers or can I bring my own?
- How many hours of venue rental is included in the package?
- Is the time needed for ingress and egress excluded in the hours indicated in the package?
- How much is the charge for every hour in excess?
- Do you require a security deposit for the reservation?
Reservation And Payment Procedures
Once you’ve clarified the package inclusions and total package cost, you can now move on to evaluating the reservation and payment procedures. The most common reservation policy is the settlement of a 50% down payment upon signing of the contract or to confirm the reservation. Orange County reception locations have different policies on the settlement of the remaining balance. It is best to have a contract signed instead of just having a receipt as proof of your confirmation. The contract must have in detail the answers to the following questions:
- How many months in advance should I settle the 50% down payment?
- What are the different payment methods available—cash, credit card, personal check?
- When do I need to settle the remaining balance?
- If there is a security deposit required, when may I claim my refund?
- When and how may I settle any incidentals to be incurred during the reception?
Perks And Privileges
If you’re getting married in a hotel or an Orange County resort, there are client services that some Orange County wedding venues offer free of charge. Based on the total package cost, overnight accommodation before the big day may be offered to the bride and groom and their families. Others also offer free shuttle service to and from the church or ceremony venue. If the hotel and resort is generous, a spa package for couples is offered to them and may be consumed during their stay or as a gift certificate valid for a certain period time. The freebies vary from venue to venue and usually depend on the cost incurred vis a vis the venue’s specialties.
Before cashing in a big amount to secure your reception location, ample research and cost comparisons must be made so you can ensure that you’re making the best decision. Viable wedding venues look after your convenience before and after your big day and will do the best they can to make sure your stay is as stress-free as possible. Try to gauge the quality of their client servicing from the time you inquired up until you discuss their proposal. How your account manager and the other staff treat you even if you’re not a sure client yet reflect the way they’ll be catering to your needs when you finally book them.
Remember that you are the client and you have the right to ask questions and clarify concerns if there are things you are unsure about. After all, it’s your Southern California wedding and you deserve nothing less but the absolute best!
by Kerry Johnson – Follow Kerry on G+!
