It is a very good idea to do some preparation before heading out to look at potential wedding venues on Long Island.

Have a list of questions and criteria for the venue representative.
Know how many guests will be attending, whether or not the ceremony will be at the reception,and having a general idea of what your guests would like to dine on will help in finding the right wedding reception hall.
Get a notebook that has folders because you will be getting contracts (all vendors), brochures, and information as you go along. Take a camera (cell phone camera is good) or camcorder with you to take pictures.

Here are 10 questions that will help you in your quest for the perfect location:

1)  What are your pricing packages and what do they include?

  • Know all of the pricing options before you leave.

2) Do you provide catering services on site? Can we provide our own if we choose?

  • Landmark Venues that require a site license like Oheka Castle also provide catering.

3)  Will you provide the cake or do we need to get it from a bakery?

  • Make sure you test the quality of the wedding cake before committing.

4) How many hours are included in the Long Island NY venue rental?

  • A typical reception including the cocktail hour is 5 hours. How much for additional time?

5) Is there an additional cost to have the ceremony at the wedding reception venue?

  • Ask about contingency plans for outdoors in case of bad weather!

6) How many servers/waitstaff/bartenders will be provided based on our expected number of guests?

  • Good to know so that the staff is not overwhelmed and can handle serving everyone.

7) Is there a bridal suite for the bridal party?

  • Very important as you know.

8) Will there be other wedding receptions happening at the same time here as mine?

  • If yes does the sound affect the the other receptions or are they scattered through the day or night?
  • Does your staff work 2 receptions at the same time?

9) What additional charges are there for additional services such as cigar room, open bar, valet parking, etc?

  • Usually they will outline the charges so you are not surprised. Tips for the managers and staff can really add up.

10) What is the availability of the venue during the desired time frame?

  • If you choose a venue at the beach spring and fall will be popular times to book rather than July and August hot summer days.

How does the staff behavior affect the reception. Make sure that they make you feel comfortable, particularly the sales person who’ll be helping you plan and organize the reception details with respect to the location. The wedding reception venue that you choose should have attentive staff that make you feel at ease so that everything goes according to plan.

Choosing the wedding reception location:

After you’ve visited all the locations, compare the information you’ve compiled and decide which venues still meet your wants and desires.

If there are several venues that you liked and meet your needs, it’s time to narrow the selection more. Compile a list of what you liked and what you don’t like about each venue considered. Consider the cost, inclusions and the visual aspects of the wedding reception hall location. Also include the feelings you had about each place. Was it comfortable? Too formal? Were the staff friendly and helpful?