Reception Sites

Ceremony & Reception

The right reception site can inspire, enchant and delight you and your guests. Following you’ll find some pointers on helping you choose well.



First, Be Consistent

Whichever venue you choose, your imagination and personal taste are the only limits. However, one important consideration in choosing your location is that the reception theme is consistent with the site. For example, if you’ve always pictured a sophisticated, elegant day of nuptial celebration, a ranch would not be an appropriate setting.

Location

Consider halls, restaurants, hotels, parks, indoor-outdoor sites, museums, vineyards and private clubs. Depending upon your taste and style, all can make great reception locations. When you look at a reception venue, take in not only the interior but also the exterior. Look out the windows and make sure you’re happy with what you see. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, think about your guests’ comfort. You can go outdoors every month of the year as long as you have alternate strategies for rain in winter, coastal fog in midsummer and high temperatures inland.

One Size Does Not Fit All

A large guest list requires a large venue, such as a reception hall or hotel ballroom. Some locations can easily accommodate several hundred guests. If you have a small guest list, however, you’ll be able to have your reception in a more intimate setting, such as a garden or private home.
You’ll also want to be sure that there’s easy access to the venue and adequate parking. Getting married in the middle of a field full of wildflowers may sound romantic until you and your guests have to trek a half-mile from the nearest road to get there.

Atmosphere

As you tour the site, ask yourself the following questions:
What is the lighting like? How is the decor? How is the room laid out?
Are there good spots for a bar, a dance floor and buffet tables, if those are key components of your dream wedding? Consider the acoustics. Does the room echo? How will your music sound?

Details

Be sure to ask what is included, what can be rented, and what you will have to bring in. Some sites offer tables and chairs, linens and tableware, and even centerpieces and decorations while others are bare bones and simply offer an empty hall. A site may seem inexpensive at first, but if you have to rent everything you need, the additional costs can add up quickly.
Many venues have an on-site kitchen to provide food and may not allow you to bring in a caterer. If that’s the case, be sure that you try and like their food before making a commitment.

Timing

A typical wedding reception lasts anywhere from four to six hours. Some venues have an hourly rate, but most will have a flat fee to rent the site for the whole afternoon or night. Be sure to find out what happens to your costs if you go over the time limit. If your friends like to party into the wee small hours, don’t forget to ask about closing times.
Find out when you will have access and if there are any events planned before or after your reception. Ask when can you come to set-up, the night before or the morning of the reception? It’s important that your vendors, such as florists, the DJ and your baker, know when they’ll have access.

Visit in Person

Review the reception guide in this issue (starting on page XXX), which lists virtually every reception site in San Diego as well as selected sites in Riverside Orange and L.A. County, Tijuana, Rosarito and Ensenada in Baja California. After you narrow your choices, check their websites as well. Once you have an idea of what you’d like, begin visiting in person—both of you! Yours might feel like the only wedding in the world, but you have competition: many sites are reserved months or even years in advance.

Make a List and Check it Twice

Keeping track of the pros and cons of all the sites you visit can be overwhelming. Bring a notebook to record your impressions while they’re fresh in your mind. After your visits, make a list of the sites you like the most and determine if they fit your budget. If possible, visit your favorites again when a wedding or other event is taking place to see the site in its full glory. Dress appropriately during this visit and check the restrooms to see if they are properly maintained.

The Bottom Line

Ignore convention and choose a venue that makes your heart beat faster. Just be sure it has the amenities you need. Many brides say that finding a reception site is much like shopping for a wedding dress — you’ll know the right one when you see it!