Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Tips On Finding a Wedding/Reception Location In Colorado Springs


These are some wonderful tips from Melissa at Moonriver Weddings. Melissa is a local Wedding Planner here in Colorado Springs. The photo is courtesy Black Forest Photography from one of Moonriver's weddings.

1. Before looking for a location, determine your priorities and must haves for your wedding. If quality of food is on the top of your list, you need to determine your location first, set aside the budget, then allocate the remaining budget as appropriate. If where you get married is not as important as your photography and décor, set aside the bulk of your budget for those items and look for a inexpensive location you can work with.

2. Make sure you know your guests list before you go looking (and how many you'll need - depending on number of out of town guests, time of year, a certain % of those invited will not attend. 20% is a good ballpark. Obviously, if most of your guests are from out of town, that ratio will increase). The number of guests you expect will rule out many locations.

3. Know if there will be another wedding or event going on before or after your wedding. Also find out how much time you are allowed for set up/decoration and take down.

4. Make sure to ask what items are included with the site fee - are tables, chairs, linens included? Also ask about whether there is an on-site coordinator and if so, what, exactly does that person do for you and what won't/can't they do? How long will they be at the wedding?

5. Know all restrictions - music, alcohol, decoration etc. Also ensure there is adequate parking, bathrooms, coat check and security as necessary.

6. Finally, ask for a break out of all fees, including service charges and whether gratuity is included or not. Is there a deposit? Is it refundable? What is the cancellation policy?

7. Know that finding a location that fits every single one of your requirements or criteria is rare, make a decision on what feels best and what best accommodates those items that you feel are most important. Wedding Planners can help you work out any issues, such as lack of parking and so forth.

8. Hire a day-of wedding coordinator! Your wedding is the event of the lifetime - be there for it!Happy Planning!-Melissa http://www.moonriverweddings.com/

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