Don't Be Surprised by Your Reception Hall's Fine Print

Sarah DiGregorio of brides.com warns her not to leave anything about your reception hall to chance. Make sure you find out all of the little details before you sign the contract. She writes:

Ask About Restrictions
Always inquire about a potential venue’s rules and regulations. Some may require that you use certain vendors. This can be convenient, since you won’t have to find those vendors yourself, but make sure that they are up to your standards. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions: Are there noise regulations for music? How many hours are included in the rental fee, and what are the charges for overtime? Is your wedding the only one booked for that day? What time will your designer be given access to the space in order to set up? If you want to negotiate any of these restrictions, the time to do it is before you sign the contract, not after. Don’t depend on verbal agreements. Get everything in writing.

Examine the Contract
Don’t sign anything on the spot. Take your agreement home and read the fine print. Are there extra costs for insurance, staff, gratuities, cake cutting, corkage, setup, trash removal or elevator or restroom use? You can try to negotiate those hidden costs, go with another location or move forward regardless of the charges—what’s important is that the bill won’t surprise you later. Finally, ask yourself if you feel comfortable. “Never settle,” Gregoli says. “Once a bride has found her site, she should feel relief and joy.”

Make sure you aren't hit with the fine print when you choose your reception location. It's not rude to examine the details. Good and detailed communication before you sign the contract helps your reception provider to better understand your wants and needs.

• Read more of DiGregorio advice in choosing a reception location at brides.com