There are multiple types of wedding reception venues for you to choose from when planning your big day, and each type has its own pros and cons. The venue you ultimately decide upon is, of course, dependent on your tastes, but hopefully this article will help when you are trying to figure out which establishment is best for you.
Churches
Church halls are very popular choices when planning a marriage. The pros of this type of establishment are convenience, especially if you are also having the ceremony at the church. You might also have an emotional attachment to the facility (for example, growing up in that church may bring back fond memories of the church hall). In addition, church halls usually have little to no rental fees. The drawbacks to these types of establishments are that you might be responsible for most of the setup on your own, including renting out chairs and tables and providing the decorations. The facility itself might also have some restrictions, such as small kitchen size and bans on alcohol and loud music.
Outdoor Parks or Gardens
The benefits of these types of outdoor wedding reception venues include the scenic views and lack of need for elaborate decorations. The beauty of the location itself provides much of the backdrop you need for your marriage. However, a major con of any outdoor venue is potential weather problems with no inside alternatives in case of inclement weather.
Restaurant or Hotel
Most restaurants have private rooms large enough to host wedding receptions. Hotels can serve hundreds within their established banquet halls or ballrooms. The advantages to venues like these include provision of materials, such as tables and chairs, as well as knowledgeable staff that coordinate ceremonial events fairly often. In addition, a variety of menu options is available without having to hire an outside caterer. On the other hand, one disadvantage is the potential cost of renting facilities like these. Because of the specialty of these types of locations, cost is likely to be higher than outdoor facilities or church halls. In addition, the popularity of event spaces like these may lead to double bookings where the wedding party and guests have to be more cognizant of the time.
Beaches
Getting married at the beach has a definite romantic appeal. The pros of beach marriages are they are free of cost (on public beaches) and offer gorgeous views. However, keep in mind that if you plan on having a formal reception on the beach, you will need to provide money to rental companies for rented tables, chairs, and other accessories. The cons associated with beach weddings are the potential for inclement weather and travel costs for your guests.
While the suggestions above do not in any way highlight all of the potential locations for wedding reception venues, they give insight on some of the most popular locations. As previously mentioned, your choices will reflect your personal style and taste. Getting married outside is not for everyone due to the added stress of potentially bad weather just as church halls are not everyone’s vision of a perfect wedding reception venue. Keep the pros and cons of each place in mind as you plan for one of the most memorable events of your life!
