You said YES to the proposal of marriage and now flaunting a shiny new ring, congratulations! Now it’s time to pick a date and venue. There are so many great wedding venues in Maryland to chose from (one being the MAVFC Reception Hall of course!)
While you are in the process of picking the perfect wedding venue, keep these 6 things in mind:
#1: Communication
Has your venue contact answered your questions quickly and effectively? Are emails responded to promptly & personalized or are they mass responses? Are you leaving voicemails or having to call multiple times? Do you feel like just another contract or are you receiving friendly & personal service?
#2: Size & Floor Plan
How many guests can the venue hold? How many square feet is the space? Is there appropriate space for tables, a dance area, DJ, bar area, gift table, head table? Helpful tip - Bring a camera, you’ll want to take pictures from your own viewpoint based on what’s important for you.
#3: Rental Hours
How many hours are included in your rental contract? What is the cost for additional hours? Keep in mind, a wedding lasts 5-6 hours (1 hour for arrival & ceremony, 1 hour for cocktail hour & photos, 1 hour for dinner and 2 to 3 hours for the reception. That’s a total of 5 to 6 hours. However, you must also account for setup and breakdown. We recommend you plan for a minimum of 3 hours for setup and 2 hours for breakdown. Therefore, you will want to have access to the venue for a minimum of 12 hours.
#4: Venue Restrictions
What are the venues terms and conditions? What time must your guests vacate the premises? Do you need to hire a cleaning crew? Do you need to have your own insurance? Are permits required? Ask for a copy of the contract to understand what your rental agreement includes or doesn’t allow.
#5: Venue Facilities
While it might seem obvious, be sure any venue you are interested in offers electricity, AC/Heating, parking, restrooms, cleaning, trash dumpsters, trash cans, tables and chairs. Also find out if the kitchen is large enough to accommodate a catering team. Will you be required to clean the restrooms? Will you have to clean and mop the entire venue? Who is responsible for breaking down the table & chairs? What is the damage deposit? when is the damage deposit due?
#7: Vendor Restrictions
Are you required to use specific vendors such as floral, caterers, event planners, or forced to buy alcohol through the venue?
We hope these tips are helpful and give you a better idea of what to look for and valuable question to ask while on a wedding site tour. We would love to give you a tour of the Mt. Airy Volunteer Fire Company Reception Hall!