Posted on: Tuesday, April 5, 2005

Wedding reception contract crucial

By Elizabeth Davies
Gannett News Service

The most expensive part of a wedding — and the place where the most things can go wrong — is the reception.

Averaging $10,000, this party usually totals half the entire wedding budget.

So before you sign a costly contract, check out Denise and Alan Fields' advice about planning your reception:

Write it. Get absolutely every promise written into the contract, no matter how small.

Book it. Be certain that your contract locks you into the exact reception room you want. Too often, weddings can be moved into a smaller room to make room for a larger convention.

Cut it. If you plan on buying your cake elsewhere, find out the cake-cutting fee. Often, banquet halls charge an extra $1 to $2 a guest if you don't use their cake.

Taste it. Get a taste test in advance. The Fieldses say too many halls simply reheat frozen food. They even knew of one wedding where guests were served chicken kiev left over from a banquet the previous night.

Plan it. Ask about specific setup and breakdown times — and get it in writing. Don't just assume that because your reception starts at 5 p.m., you can drop by that morning to decorate.

Bring it. Have your contracts handy on your wedding day. It might not be very romantic but finding out that the florist forgot two centerpieces doesn't set the mood, either. It's important that you can pull out your contract to prove what you're due.

Check it. Know what you're getting yourself into when you book a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests. At some hotels, you have to pay for all the rooms whether they're used or not. At others, a booking holds the rooms until the week of the wedding.

Work it. Above all, don't forget to ask the magic question: "Is this your best price?" because discounts are the rule, not the exception.

Source: "Bridal Passport: The Dollars & Sense Guide to Planning Your Wedding" by Denise and Alan Fields.