Tips in Selecting a Reception Venue

Ok, so I probably should have thought of this earlier, but I think with much more experience at this, I have become more qualified to make these recommendations. The following is my guide to selecting a reception venue that's perfect for your needs:

1. Budget - Of course, this is the first thing that you should set and most importantly stick to, below are some price ranges for different types of venues.
Garden: Rental fees for garden type weddings in Manila ranges from 60,000-180,000.
Hotels: There are not rental only of hotels, but rather packages. A bit more expensive.
Packages start at around 300,000 for 150 guests.
Multi purpose Halls/Tents: Some are purposely built for weddings and some aren't but most are air-conditioned. Rental varies from 2,000 for a Multi purpose hall inside a
village up to 50,000 or more for purposely built Tents or Halls.
Restaurants: This is an excellent alternative if you are on a tight budget, and want good
food. Prices of course vary.

2. Location - It would not make sense in selecting a location that most your family and friends will have a hard time traveling to and from. You have to consider what modes of transport are readily available to your guests and what the venue offers. For example, if you know that most of your guests have their own vehicles then a venue with ample parking space would be good, conversely, if your guests will have to commute then choosing a venue with good access to public transport will be more appropriate. It is also best to try to find a venue where there is not too much traffic especially just before the time of your reception, in my opinion this is the reason that most guests try to leave early, because they want to avoid the traffic.

3. Amenities - Of course, what you want is what you should get. Before booking any venue please check out all the amenities that they offer. You might end up paying extra for something that you could have negotiated earlier. Remember, you are most powerful when you have not committed anything to the venue yet. Shop around and don't be shy to ask for free stuff, in fact they want you to have those stuff because believe it or not those of us in the wedding industry want the best for our clients.

4. Check out all the rules and terms - Some venues will ask you to pay a cork age fee for some items or unaccredited suppliers or electricity. Also please read all the contracts so that you will not be surprised. Some venues want to have some sort of monopoly having their own accredited suppliers for catering, photo, lights, sound systems, etc. Learn all the ins and outs of each venue.

5. Try to find some referrals. If you know somebody who has had experience with a venue either attending or throwing a party at a venue, try to get their inputs. This first hand experience is invaluable in your search for a wedding venue. If you have a wedding planner, he/she might have some suggestions, and always remember to keep an open mind.

6. Decor, decor, decor. Having a more expensive venue may not be as expensive if your thinking about the additional decorations that you might want to add. For example, you won't be needing as much flowers to decorate a garden venue (duh!) as you would a tent or a hotel. Also, creating beautiful lighting effects might only be possible in an enclosed area, meaning that open air gardens won't be as effective. Keep in mind that an aesthetically pleasing venue sticks to the minds of your guests and will keep them saying what a beautiful reception.

7. Comfort and Ease. Almost none of the other things matter if you are not personally comfortable with the venue. Meaning, that the venue puts you at ease either by great aesthetics or great service and even better if both are present. So what is it about choosing a venue that puts you to ease? Well, this really varies from person to person. Your preference should really dictate what venue you choose, it is also a reflection of your personalities. Along the way to choosing your perfect wedding venue, always remember that life is a journey and not a destination, so don't be afraid to indulge yourself even though you know that this particular venue isn't quite right for you don't be too hasty and just live the experiences one at a time.