Sunday, September 30, 2012

Booking Banquet Halls - How to Do It Right



Banquet halls make for excellent venues for weddings, parties and other types of social occasions. Each hall has its own characteristics that make it unique and different. The location and size are something you must think about when visiting reception halls. When you are looking for a spot that would be a good fit for the event keep these following factors in mind as you book appointments to view various places in your community.

Handicap Access:
Not all halls are wheelchair-accessible. If you have a guest coming to your event who is confined to a wheelchair, you need to pick a venue that will be accommodating to this person's needs.

Rules and Restrictions:
Some venues have stricter policies than others when it comes to decorating, catering or using the kitchen facilities. All banquet halls are not the same in their rules, so make sure you are aware of what you can and cannot do before you sign any documents to rent the place.

Location:
To book a reception hall for an upcoming event that you will be hosting, compile a list of the names and telephone numbers of all of the banquet halls in the nearby area. If you live in an urban area, you should have lots to choose from. For those living in rural settings, the choices may be more limited.

Features:
Place phone calls to each venue and find out as much information as you can regard the location, the size, the availability, the parking and what it has to offer you. Ask if the planner has anything you can take a look at online, such as photos or more detailed information about the facility.

Viewings:
Once you are satisfied with the information you have been provided with over the phone, schedule appointments to go see each potential venue. Visit as many banquet halls as you see fit. While at each location, take a look at the kitchen and the washrooms to ensure that they are clean and are well sized for your requirements.

Availability and Catering:
Following the visits, select three or four that you feel would be the most comfortable and most appropriate for the party or reception that you will be hosting. Discuss dates with the vendor and find out what the availability of the hall is for when you need it. Find out if you will need to order from the kitchen at the hall or whether you must hire outside caterers for your event. If you are to use the venue's kitchen, ask to take a look at the menu.

Deposit:
Once you make your final decision, you will be required to put down a deposit to hold the hall. For most banquet halls, you should be given a window of two to three weeks before the deposit will need to be collected.


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