Insider's Guide to reception venues

There are limitless possibilities when it comes to selecting your wedding reception venue. That being said, they can be booked up well in advance which is why they are at the top of our list of priorities and we recommend getting yours booked as soon as you can.

Regardless of whether you choose to have a traditional or modern wedding, pick a reception venue that will suit the formality, theme and ambience of your wedding. With brideonline.com.au - you can filter the reception venues into the following sub-categories:

    Reception Centres
    Restaurants
    Outdoor weddings, gardens and beach settings
    Wineries
    Cruises

This should already help considerably if you haven't yet decided on your ideal venue. Indoor or outdoor? Formal or informal? Did you know that although many weddings in Australia are very formal events with realtively strict dress codes and etiquettes, in other parts of the world the events can be much more relaxed with only semi-formal attire yet without losing any of their charm?

It's certainly worth picturing your ideal venue scene, also factor in what time of year will your wedding be in as this will also play a big part in the overall theme and ultimately venue choice. We have a massive selection of indoor reception venues that are available all year round. Then again, if the weather will accomodate your preferred time of year, a botanical garden or beachfront scene is something certainly atypical and will be incredibly memorable!
Here are some extra points from a featured article:

    Past brides are a wealth of information. If you know anyone who has gotten married recently, ask them for recommendations and suggestions. They will have first hand experience and be able to give you ideas for your own wedding.
    During peak wedding seasons, reception venues are in high demand and can often book up very quickly. Make sure you have enough time prior to the wedding date to research and book your venue. You do not want to wait until the last posible minute as this will often result in not getting what you wanted.
    It might be a good idea not to book your wedding around major events. An example of this might be if you are having your wedding in the city, your guests might have a hard time finding accommodation during Grand Final weekend! Prices may rise around events and holidays so try to steer clear of them.
    Always ask your reception venue if they hold more than one reception on any given day. Ensure that if another reception is booked for after yours you will not be rushed out as soon as your time elapses. Also ask what happens if your wedding does run overtime and if there are any fees that might be involved.
    Bear in mind that you will need about two hours to set up for the reception. If there is a lunch scheduled before your dinner reception, make sure you allocate enough time to get everything ready and set up before your guests arrive.
    Ensure that the venue is set up so there is enough room for reception events such as cutting the cake and the first dance. You might find that a room that fits 200 for cocktails will not be big enough for a sit-down dinner and dancing, so always be sure to ask.
    Find out how much the deposit is to secure the venue and ask about their cancellation policies. Will you receive your deposit back if you cancel? Will there be any fees involved?
    Most weddings include dancing, so you will want to ask your reception venue if there are any restrictions on music. There might be noise restrictions you need to be aware of. Find out if there will be enough electrical outlets for your musicians or DJ.
    Always get everything in writing and ensure that the contract you get from your reception venue covers all the items you've discussed and agreed upon.

We hope you have learned some useful tips and have a better idea of what you are looking for in a reception venues, next week we will have a look at catering and the different options for your event!

Avoiding Problems

As with any industry, there will unfortunately be some shady people who might be looking to take advantage of a couple getting married. To avoid any mishaps, misunderstandings and headaches, follow the tips below and you're wedding planning will be worry-free.

    Always get everything in writing and where possible, a contract should be drawn up. If you are dealing with a reputable business, you will find that this is often standard procedure. Remember not to assume anything and always read the fine print and terms and conditions. Do not sign anything until you full understand what you are signing for.
    Ask about cancellation policies. What happens if you wish to cancel a service you have booked? Will there be fees involved?
    When dealing with wedding caterers or reception centres, find out if there are extra fees for things such as set-up and clean-up. Do not be afraid to ask about charges for cake cutting, coat rooms and corkage fees. All costs should be itemized in the contract and request that no additional fees are to be added after these fees have been agreed upon.
    Always find out about overtime fees. Whether this is for your wedding reception venue, transport or any other service on the day - you do not want to be slapped with an unexpected bill for overtime fees! Play it safe and find out what options you have if your wedding runs overtime.
    Be cautious of a deal that seems too good to be true. If you shop around and do your homework, you should have a general idea of how much a certain item or service should cost. If you find an offer that is suspiciously cheap, don't be afraid to ask why.
    Double bookings can sometimes happen, particularly during peak wedding seasons. If you know that another wedding is booked for the same day in the same room as yours, be sure that you specify your exact time - from which hour to which hour you require the room. Remember to allow for enough time to clean-up between weddings.
    Where possible, it is advisable to work with a professional wedding photographer who specializes in weddings. This is especially advisable for shooting the ceremony. A professional will have the experience to be able beautifully capture your wedding day.

Express Weddings

Need to organise your wedding pronto? There are so many things to organise and remember when it comes to planning a wedding, especially if you decide to have a short engagement. Most brides opt for the 1 to 2 year engagement, allowing plenty of time to save, plan and decide on what their wedding will be like.

Some brides don't have the luxury of having a longer engagement and need to pull together their special day in just a few months... or even weeks! The key to planning an express wedding is teamwork - get organised and don't be afraid to ask for help. You may want to hire a wedding planner to assist you or enlist one of your bridesmaids as a project manager. Make use of all available resources and don’t forget that there are legal requirements that need to be taken care of that are just as important as the rest of your big day.

Here are some suggestions from the Bride Online team on how to organise an express wedding. There are hundreds of suppliers in our online directory including Q Bridal who can assist with planning your day on a short timeline.

    Book a restaurant with a private dining room for your reception
    Choose flowers that are in season and that your florist has already arranged for table decorations and bouquets
    Order your wedding bands when you purchase your engagement rings to save time
    Create a wedding website where guests can RSVP online so you aren’t waiting for replies in the post
    Hair and makeup artist that can do both and come to you
    Find a dressmaker who can also make the bride and bridesmaids dresses

Reception Seating Etiquette

The guest list at your wedding reception needn't be a nightmare. These days there are few hard-and-fast rules governing seating arrangements, however it is important to ensure that all your guests feel comfortable and relaxed. Here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your reception goes smoothly and a good time is had by all.

    A formal seating plan is often necessary, particularly if you have a large guest list. Not only will it allow you to maintain some control over who sits where, it will also assist the waiting staff. If you're having a smaller celebration you may not want or need a seating plan. Seating lists are also inappropriate for less formal receptions such as cocktail parties where guests are standing for a long time.
    Consult with the wedding reception venue early in the process to get a clear idea of the venue layout and position of the tables.
    Seating whole groups of friends together (for example, work colleagues or a group of old highschool friends) won't do much to encourage your guests to mix and meet new people. At the same time, a table full of strangers might make for awkward conversation. Try to arrange your seating plan so that each person knows at least two or three other guests on their table, but ensure that there are some new faces. You might like to arrange tables so that your guests are seated with others of a similar age group or interests.
    Your wedding reception  is not the place for match-making. While you want your guests to mingle and meet new people, don't force any awkward ‘matches' on your single friends!
    The bridal party should sit at a prominently positioned table, perhaps at the front or centre of the venue. It's important that the bride and groom are visible from all tables during toasts and speeches. A long, rectangular table is ideal for this.
    If there are a number of young children present at your reception, consider a separate “kid's table”. This might be the best way to ensure they remain seated during the reception as they are more likely to become bored or irritable if seated with their parents.
     A printed seating plan displayed at the entrance of the venue will assist guests in finding their place. Arrange guests names alphabetically (followed by table number) rather than by table to speed up guests' arrival. Printed name cards placed on every table will indicate the correct seat for each guest.
    Be mindful of any particular family relationships that might cause tension at the reception. Divorced parents of the bride or groom may not wish to be seated at the same table, but ‘host' their own tables instead. If you are unsure, consult each parent before the wedding and give them this option.
    Be prepared to be flexible. The guest list will change as RSVP's are collected and last-minute cancellations are inevitable. Guests will also want to get up from their seat and mingle with others, so don't worry if the seating plan is not followed strictly.