The Perfect Party Venue: Found it!

When a bride finds the right dress, she just knows it. When house hunting and you walk into an open house, you know when you’re home.  When looking for just the right reception venue for your Bat Mitzvah (or any other event), you know when you’ve foundthe one.  The energy of the space speaks to you.  The size, the menu, the pricing, the catering manager, the decor….it all screams, “this is the one.”  When making the final decision, there are always going to be your non-negotiables (things you just can’t live without) and the things you can compromise on.  This holds true for many decisions whether buying the perfect dress, your new home or booking the venue.

After spending a couple of weeks looking at banquet rooms, reception halls and event spaces, we finally are ready to sign a contract.  While it was a bit of a process of elimination, ultimately we all loved the final choice we made.  Our daughter feels that the space is a little different, it suits her personality and will be the perfect size for our guest list…and not to mention we love the food.

In case I’ve forgotten to mention this in previous posts, restaurants are a great resource for choosing the right venue.  Many have private rooms or can host a party in the dining room on Sunday afternoons when they are typically closed.  So, if you have a favorite restaurant, make sure to ask if they do parties.  You might be surprised at what they have to offer and the flexibility they can afford you when planning.

So, no, I am not going to tell you where we’ve booked.  That’ll have to wait until we get our invitations out.  That’s next on our list.  However, before we move on to invitations, a couple of things to negotiate before signing your contract:

Are soft drinks and coffee included with the meal?

Can we bring in our own dessert?

Are there any discounts or coupons out now that we can take advantage of?  We found out that the venue we selected had a 20% off coupon in the Jewish News.  Even though I didn’t have the coupon, the discount is being honored.  You’ve got to ask!

Do you provide linens?

Will you waive a room fee or minimum food/beverage charge?

Is the deposit refundable? What is the cancellation policy?

When is the balance due?

Never be afraid to ask for what you want. Be upfront about your budget.  Don’t assume a venue/restaurant is out of your price range…you will be surprised, especially in this economy, what you can negotiate for.  Remember, be fair, the banquet hall is in the business to make money but would like to earn your business and book your event.

Next time, we’ll talk about finding the perfect invitation and invitation timing and etiquette.