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Choosing a Wedding Venue When women used to live at home until they were married, wedding receptions were traditionally held at the bride's family home. Today, receptions can take place in hotels, banqueting halls, clubs, marquees of all sizes and shapes and in hired premises, from a village hall to a stately home or even in a barn decorated as Aladdin's cave! Remember that the number of people you want at your reception may well dictate your choice of venue - or vice versa! It is usual for everyone who has been invited to the wedding ceremony to be asked to the reception. If only a small number of guests can attend the ceremony due to lack of space, or you want a very private ceremony, then additional guests can be invited to the reception afterwards. For 100 guests or more, consider rooms designed specifically for holding receptions, as they will have all the facilities you need. Most reception venues will quote you a cost per head for food and drink, plus a hire charge for the venue (or hire of a marquee) plus the cost of any entertainment, a toastmaster, cake stand etc. In your initial consultation with a venue, get a full list of all the possible costs and charges. Decide roughly what your budget is and your ideal head count and then the venue price range will become clear. If you register for the free handy wedding directory, we'll send you a budget planner that will help. Once you've got a particular venue in mind, there are some important questions to ask to make sure that it really is suitable for the sort of reception you want: Are there adequate cloakroom and lavatory facilities? Are there facilities for less mobile guests or anyone with a disability? Is their special seating for elderly or frail guests, particularly if the reception does not include a sit-down meal? If children are to be invited, are there special facilities for them, for example areas where they can let off steam or highchairs for the meal? Are there sufficient car parking arrangements? Is the reception venue within a reasonable distance of the ceremony? Is it easy to find, or well sign-posted? Will the reception venue accommodate the right number of guests and allow you to have the kind of reception you've got planned? Check carefully things such as licensing laws and late night curfews. Is there accommodation at the venue, or nearby, for out of town guests? Are decorations included or will you have to provide your own balloons, flowers, table decorations. Maybe a marquee? Another good option for large gatherings, if you decide to hire a marquee, book it well in advance and remember you need to get it decorated, filled with table and chairs, have a dance floor laid and possibly organize bathroom/changing facilities too. Many firms will offer this along with the tent hire. You may also need to hire portable toilets and portable kitchens. Remember that if you want to pitch a marquee in the middle of nowhere, then you'll need water and electricity too, or, when the sun sets, you'll be plunged into darkness! If you plan a marquee reception in winter, don't forget the portable heaters. You may like to set up a marquee in your own garden or that of willing parents or a friend, but this can have its drawbacks. Ask yourself the following questions before choosing home as the ideal venue: Is it close enough to the place of worship or register office? Is there enough space to accommodate the required number of guests? Are lavatory and cloakroom facilities sufficient? Will caterers, or whoever else is doing the work, be able to function effectively in the kitchen? Is there space for a bar? Is there sufficient parking space? Is holding the reception at home going to dramatically increase the stress factor?	Tips & Articles Q & A's, Helpful Facts Planning & Worksheets
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