Finding
the right Fortlauderdale reception site or Fortlauderdale caterer doesn't have to be as hard
as some people make it. The choice of the Fortlauderdale location and the
caterer can sometimes carry the weight of the entire wedding
reception. After being in business as a caterer for over 20
years there hasn't been to many locations that we haven't been
exposed to. Some are wonderful to look at, but a nightmare to
work in.
Never pick your location (or Caterer) out by just calling on the
phone for information. Most rental sites will tell you what you
want to hear. You need to see the place for yourself. Never pick
you location by price alone. Some locations might seem pricey
and some might seem cheap. Most times you get what you pay for.
If a location quotes a lower price it might be because it isn't
in a good location, doesn't have tables, chairs, dance floor,
kitchen or ample parking or bathrooms. Maybe the price quoted is
only for the room or house and doesn't include anything else
including the setting up or cleaning up. Some people in order to
save money will opt for the lower priced sites and realize that
they will have to put in a full days work before and after the
wedding to get the place the way it needs to be for the
reception. As long as you understand this ahead of time there
will be no surprises. Some people think when they order chairs
and tables, dance
floors, lattice work, etc. that the rental people set it up when
it is delivered. Wrong! They bring it and drop it off, unless
you make
arrangements to have them set it up. There will be an additional
charge for this. Do not take it for granted that your caterer
will do this for you either. Most caterers do not bring their
own tables for the food and expect the tables they need to be
there, setup and ready to go. They usually give themselves
enough time to do what they have been hired to do and have no
time to set up 150 chairs and 16 tables for your guest. They
also usually do not supply the cloths for your rental tables
either.
Now we'll talk about the locations that might cost a little bit
more. See what you get for the price your quoted. Do they supply
tables, linens, chairs, dance floor if you need one? Does the
place look great already or do you have to bring in a lot of
decorations to make it look the way you want? Can you bring in
your own alcohol or do you have to buy it from them? Do they
setup and clean up the area you are renting? Will there be
someone around to let deliveries in ahead of time. How is their
kitchen? If your bringing in your own caterer this means a lot.
You might want a seated dinner for 100 people. If their kitchen
is small and poorly equipped you'll need to change your plans
about dinner or your location. Can it seat 100 people and have
room to walk, dance or mingle. If it rains or its cold, can
everyone get inside and be together (not half upstairs and half
down stairs) When they say they can hold 200 people does that
mean inside or does it mean using porches and lawns. Is it
air-conditioned? If your planning a bar ask how many bathrooms
does it offer. You might laugh at this, but 100 people drinking
beer and a one toilet bathroom do not go well together. If you
have to use their caterer ask if this firm has references,
pictures, insurance and how long have they been in business.
(This is important to know even if you hire your own caterer.)
Sometimes Fortlauderdale caterers can be like Fortlauderdale reception sites. If they quote
you prices that are to good to be true there might be a reason
for it.) More then once I've had brides calling at the last
minute crying that the caterer they chose couldn't do their
wedding because they went out of business, had to go out of town
or were sick and had no one else to take over. You need to deal
with people that have a track record. Locations, caterers,
florist, photographers, and limo services come and go. Make sure
who you pick will be there 9 months from now. Ask the question
" What if ? " If you do your homework you shouldn't
have any surprises hit you 2 weeks before the wedding. I've had
people say to me the day of the wedding " You're the one
person we know we didn't have to worry about " Think about
it. Why did you hire the rest? If your not sure if someone you
hired will do a good or great job why would you go with them?
Look around. Feel good about your choices in location, caterer,
florist, etc.
This is going to be one of the biggest days in your life and it
should also be the most stress free one that you can possibly
make it. Afterwards wouldn't it be wonderful to get feed back
like " The place was beautiful, the food was wonderful. We
had the best time we've ever had at a wedding " and not
" Where did you dig that caterer up from", " At
least the roof didn't leak ", " No one really noticed
the cake was leaning. Or " That would have been a good
picture if his thumb hadn't gotten in the way.! " Make your
choices wisely and make your big day fun for everyone. |
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