Tag Archive for: wedding venue

7 things to consider when booking a wedding venue

Choosing a wedding venue is not a big thing for many couples. The reason is that they have already planned the place where they will be marrying. They sometimes plan it even before they get engaged. However, it is not a cup of cake for everyone.

Here are the seven most important things you need to keep in your mind while selecting your desired venue.

1. Budget

Having a proper budget for your wedding is very important. Never go out of your budget. Surely the guests will be impressed, but you will be left with significant debt. Before choosing anyplace, ask yourself this question “Can I afford this venue for my wedding?” If you can’t, move on. If there is a venue which you know is expensive than don’t add it in the list.

2. Number of Guests

Choose a venue that accommodates the number of guests you are inviting. If the place is too big then it only cost you extra bucks, and if the venue is too small, you don’t want to squeeze all the guests in a tiny place. This will only ruin your wedding. Pick a place that is the right size for your wedding ceremony.

3. Date

There are two things you can do. You can either choose a date and then search for venues that fit your date or you can select the venue you like and then select a date from the list of days available.

Some venues give you the freedom of choosing the date online. But if you get a bit flexible with the dates, you can find some excellent places at an affordable price. The rest is up to you to decide. You can even select an off-peak time from November to February.

4. Parking

Don’t just go after the beauty of the venue. It is essential but you also need to make sure the venue has parking close by. Also, make sure the parking is big enough for all your guests to park their car.

You don’t want any of your guests to turn back just because there wasn’t enough space. Include a map in the wedding invitation and tell them where they have to park their cars.

5. Meet the team of the Venue

Nowadays, many venues have a team of hardworking and dedicated members. They are responsible for coordinating and managing the whole event in the best way possible.

Try to have a meeting with all the team members. This way you will know what the quality of their services is. You will get familiar with each team members, and you will know about the designated task of each person in the team.

6. Request to see the rule book

Each venue has its own set of rules and regulation. You don’t want to be the one breaking the rules. It is best for you to see the rule book before booking it for your wedding.

Sometimes, wedding venues add absurd extra charges which you do not know about. After checking out the bill, when you ask for the explanation, they say it is already mentioned in the rule book. Make sure you thoroughly read the rule book before finalizing the place.

7. Take your time and read past reviews

There is no need to take impulsive decisions. Take a detailed tour of the venue and then go home and think. You don’t have to decide on the spot. Take as much time you want and then choose your desired place. You can even look at the past review to help you with your decision.

April 30, 2019/by Chris Abell

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Create A Perfect Ambiance For Your Special Event at Chaumette Winery

There’s no other venue that will create a more perfect rustic ambiance for your special event at Chaumette Winery. Chaumette just happens to be a great location to host a wedding and other major events. You can tour the grounds and learn some history, or just bring a friend or two and spend the day tasting exquisite wine. Approximately 70 miles south of St. Louis, it is a perfect one-day getaway.

As with most Missouri wineries there’s a view of rolling hills and vineyards. You can just pick a glass and find a spot on the patio to enjoy some of the loveliest views Missouri has to offer.

Chaumette Winery also has private villas for overnight stays, a pool and a full-service restaurant, wedding and event venues, among more traditional winery amenities. Their tasting Room is open to the public year-round and offers live entertainment outdoors in warmer months. If you discover a wine you love, you can also take advantage of their online store and have it delivered.

Image Credit: Chaumette Winery

Q&A with Chaumette Winery

We interviewed someone from Chaumette Vineyards and Winery to answer some questions about weddings that have been held at their venue. She also dropped some remarkable tips that couples could follow when planning their wedding.

1. What common mistakes do you see couples making?

A common mistake that we unfortunately see quite often are that individuals forget to pace themselves. A wedding is a marathon, not a sprint! Sounds silly but make sure that you eat and drink [Water!] throughout the day. It is very difficult to smile / act happy and kiss your significant other 12,000 times for photos if you are hangry .

Also don’t forget to live in the moment , the planning process seems as though it takes forever and the day itself goes by in a flash! So make sure that you step back and enjoy the party that you have been planning for so long. Finally, trust the professionals you have chosen, they do this for a living and know they equipment/location/product the best.

2. What’s the best tip you have for a couple planning a wedding?

Try not to get stuck in the details, enjoy….. for it is a celebration, because at the end of the day all that matters is that you’re happy and you have each other.

3. What don’t couples know about Chaumette Winery weddings that they need to know?

You will need to remind your guests of where the wedding will be taking place — such as if it is going to be an outdoor wedding in the Midwest in the middle of June or July it will be quite warm, so dress appropriately for the occasion.

4. What questions should couples be asking that they don’t know to ask?

You will want to make sure that you have a comprehensive list of all of the services that your vendors provide you , and read all the contracts carefully!

5. What your best piece of advice for couples planning a wedding?

It is your wedding, you only have to compromise with each other.

It is your wedding, you can make it as traditional or nontraditional as you’d like , it is a compromise between two individuals coming together. Highlight your personalities/ characteristics coming together for this day .

6. What’s the most unusual wedding you ever did?

Like Dr. Seuss once wrote: “We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.”

Every wedding that I have ever worked has been unusual in its own quirky way. Ranging from traditional to an nontraditional wedding, they all have their own quirks and stand out for so many different reasons and so many different ways, and highly showcase the two individuals that are coming together to be one.

5. What was the most memorable wedding you ever worked, and why?

One of the more memorable weddings that stands out this past year was a wedding that happened to be slightly “derailed”.

Just a few months prior the wedding, the mother of the bride fell ill and suddenly passed away.The father of the bride, the bride, and the groom all agreed that the mother of the bride would not want them to switch the wedding date or postpone their day of happiness!

On the wedding day, shortly before the ceremony, a coal train derailed and fell over Interstate 55, blocking the path of many of the guests attending the wedding, as well as the wedding officiant. The bridal party was amazing, they jumped into action, and calmed the bride and groom right way by crying and laughing with them. All of the vendors came together and created a new timeline for the bride and groom. With collaboration of all the vendors, the wedding party, and MODOT, we got the wedding “back on track”.

Wrap Up!

Chaumette Winery is a great location to host weddings and other major events. Whether you are seeking a bottle of something special or a romantic getaway, this is exactly where you should go. If you have any questions or comments you can contact them via phone, 573-747-1000 or email at Events@Chaumette.com.

January 23, 2018/by Chris Abell

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Expert Tips for a Flawless Wedding at SqWires in St. Louis

St. Louis’ most ardent food-lovers are regulars at SqWires Restaurant. This 19th century styled restaurant is located in the historic Lafayette Square neighborhood. SqWires has a notable setting for you to meet, eat and drink. They’ve made it handy for you to get online at SqWires with their wireless network. The Restaurant also has an outdoor dining that is available to enjoy the St. Louis weather in spring and summer.

Just a 3 minute cab ride from downtown, you can relax by the fireplace or dine at the bar and enjoy a bottle of wine at a candle-lit table or select a favorite single malt scotch or imported or domestic brew. The best of local blues and jazz musicians play during Oyster Bar Happy Hour on Fridays, plus Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday brunch.

Bethany Budde the owner of SqWires is on a mission to raise people’s interest in the food they serve: where it comes from, how it tastes, how it is prepared. “I love creating local food traditions and neighborhood cuisine; bringing people to enjoy Lafayette Square hospitality”.

Adjacent to the restaurant is SqWires Annex

A unique venue that accommodates seated and cocktail events up to 150 guests. Plan your next business function or party in the warm and inviting atmosphere of SqWires Annex. The Front Room, just off the main restaurant can accommodate seated or cocktail events for up to 40 guests. This is a great space for business meetings as well.

We got someone from SqWires who has experience in hosting weddings to give us a few tips on planning and running a wedding.

• What common mistakes do you see couples making?

A common mistake that couples often make is not starting their search soon enough for desired “prime time” wedding dates. For example, if a couple wanted to get married in the fall, they would most likely have to look for 2019 and not 2018.

•What’s the best tip you have for a couple planning a wedding?

Trust the expertise of your vendors. You hired them because you had faith they could deliver on your big day, so trust their opinions. Don’t get caught up in perfection – let your vendors worry about that! Also – remind yourself what’s really important – your love for one another!

•What don’t couples know about reception venues that they need to know?

Some reception venues are more all-inclusive than others. Make sure to ask about whether additional costs will be incurred for rentals, special services, etc. Also, mandatory gratuities and service charges are subject to sales tax.

•What questions should couples be asking that they don’t know to ask?

Does the venue set up for the event? Does the venue allow you to drop items off early? Can you pick up decor and other items the next day?

•What your best piece of advice for couples planning a wedding?

(Same as “best tip” above.) Or could say something like, “Make appointments/meetings with vendors fun – not just business. Let your creativity flow & be a team throughout the entire process.”

•What’s the most unusual wedding you ever did?

We have not hosted a wedding we would describe as “unusual.” It is a lot of fun to see a couple’s personalities come out in the details though!

•What was the most memorable wedding you ever worked, and why?

Our favorite one in the past year was a speakeasy theme. They were married in Lafayette Square Park, then rented casino games and enjoyed appetizers at our venue. They told their guests that they would be dressing up, but the guests didn’t have to dress up. Every single guest showed up in 1920’s themed attire. It was amazing! There was even a little boy with knickers and a classic newsboy cap. It was such a fun and easy-going event.

With SqWires’ help, you can please all of the people all of the time. Whether your style is traditional or trendy, they’ll team up with bride, groom, parents and friends to fill your shower, engagement party, rehearsal dinner, wedding and reception with a spectacular mix of food, beverage, setting and service.

If you want to make a reservation or ask any question, you can simply email or call them.

T | 314.865.3522
E | info@sqwires.com
W | www.sqwires.com

January 8, 2018/by Chris Abell

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Four Seas Wedding Venue: A Dreamy Location Q&A

Located in St. Louis, the Four Seas Banquet Facility is a delightful place to have an idyllic wedding. This beautiful facility features a 14 foot ceiling with black accented white drapes stretching from the exquisite terrazzo floor to the ceiling accentuated with soft, beautiful up lights.

This facility can seat up to 330 persons in a dinner setting. It also includes a large stage that can accommodate a 12-piece band or DJ, risers for head table with white linen skirting, along with skirted card and cake tables, white linen table cloths with cushioned banquet chairs and white linen chair covers.

Q&A with Four Seas Banquet

We got someone from Four Seas Banquet Facility to throw insight on some questions that were asked.

What Common Mistakes do you See Couples /making?

The most common mistake I see couples making is not having a solid guest list before starting the whole process. The guest count will drive the budget, it always does. Along with that, is unrealistic expectations of what things actually cost. I am asked this regularly, “I have 300 people and want a meal and open bar with a $2500 budget can you make that happen?” Yikes! you can’t feed that many people from McDonald’s for that budget let alone with a full bar and a two entree meal.

What’s the Best Iip you have for a Couple Planning a Wedding?

Manners. I see far to many clients that have lost all touch with basic manners. No call, no show for appointments. Demanding services. Not reading the contract and then mad because we won’t do something that is in the contract that they signed…… I had a set of clients that were pediatric oncologists, it completely poured on their outdoor wedding. They got married in the rain.

I was upset, the staff was upset and you know what they said… They said “It’s completely fine, because today we didn’t have to tell anyone that their child was going to die”. PERSPECTIVE. It’s just one day, and things are going to go wrong and it won’t be the end of the world. I tell all of my clients this story on the day before their wedding, and remind them to take a deep breath and keep perspective.

What your Best Piece of Advice for Couples Planning a Wedding?

Guest Count. Get your list together before doing anything else.

What don’t Couples /know about Wedding Venues that they need to Know?

We are people too. Human’s make mistakes, but how they are addressed is what sets us all apart. If you read the same complaint or compliment over and over again, pay attention to that.

What Questions Should Couples be Asking that they don’t know to ask?

I don’t actually run into this all that often. Most people have done their homework and have a full list of questions for me.

What’s the Most Unusual Wedding you Ever did?

We work with all walks of life, so nothing shocks me or stands out any longer. However, if the Bride, Groom or crowd treats the staff terribly, that does stand out. You can usually tell everything you need to know about someone by how the treat the staff.

What was the Most Memorable Wedding you ever worked, and why?

When the client has appreciation for the work, real vision and taste that is usually what I remember. Along with that, if they are terrible to me or the staff, I usually remember them too.

If you are interested in having your wedding in this venue, and you want to make further inquiries, then feel free to send a message to their email or give them a call.

https://www.fourseasbanquetfacility.com

Photo Credit: https://www.fourseasbanquetfacility.com

January 4, 2018/by Chris Abell

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Tips On Selecting the Perfect Wedding Reception Venue

One of the first and most important decisions affianced couples have to make is picking the right venue for their wedding reception. Here are some tips to guide your “venue-hunt”.

The Importance of Communication

When it comes to venue selection the importance of communication cannot be overemphasized. You’ll have to exchange ideas with your spouse-to-be about the type of ceremony you’d like to have.

Another issue to consider is your level of connection with the persons you’re working with, you should be able to answer the following questions without any doubts:

Do they motivate trust and confidence?
Do they seem like team players?
Are your personalities compatible?

You need to resolve any second-guesses before you go into business with them, if you can’t, then it would be wise to look for an alternative even if the facility seems perfect.

Location, Location, Location!

When looking for a wedding location, a list of prospective facilities should be put together and this should be based on some considerations ranging from type of wedding to the logistics of the guests. For example, if you’re having a church wedding, it would be advisable to find a venue that’s close to your church.

Your Preferred Wedding Style

You need to find a wedding location that’s in sync with your preferred wedding style. By identifying a geographical area that suits your style whether it’s a traditional event or a contemporary party, an indoor event or a pool party; you can narrow down your options.

Decide on a Budget

It is advisable to use your budget as a deciding factor when streamlining options for your venue. Identify those you can afford so as not to face disappointment later on.

Wedding Guest Numbers

It is recommended that you have a rough estimate of guest population before start your venue search so as to avoid the frustration of size inconvenience. Most facilities demand that you give an estimation of guest numbers prior to reservations.

This is because not all sites can accommodate a wide variety of wedding sizes. It is important that couples bear in mind that equipment take up a lot of space during the ceremony. Experts’ advise that you aim low in your guest estimation as this gives room for more flexibility.

The Calendar Factor

What a beautiful venue? It’s too bad it won’t be available for your wedding date because its already been booked. You should call to book up popular venues or at least make enquiries as to whether they’re reserved before you make your choice.

Seek Expert Advice

When it comes to your wedding you’d prefer to deal with professionals in all aspects stretching from photography to your wedding DJ selection. When searching for the ideal venue it is guided that you seek help from experts in the field.

You can search up professional blogs and websites for relevant guidance. Professionals could also assist you in looking for venues exclusive to the “inner-circle” if provided with your requirements.

Trust me when it comes to your wedding ceremony experience pays.

Know Mother Nature’s intentions

There’s nothing more beautiful than celebrating under sunny skies, but you may want to give it a little more thought. What you want to find out is the effect of the weather on your prospective venue choices; you may want to make provisions for a tent or canopies just in case the weather decides to go sultry during less reliable seasons. Whatever you do just be sure to consider mother-nature, she knows best after all.

File everything

Develop an efficient system where pamphlets descriptions and photos of prospective venues can be stored and identified without difficulty. You’ll be surprised at how you can mistake one venue for another if not properly sorted out.

Bring a checkbook or credit card

Some lucrative venues book a year or more in advance. In order to avoid losing a treasured setting, you may want to bring a credit card or checkbook along with you when you visit prospects. This way, you can make temporary reservations.

Venue specs

There are different qualities to look out for in an ideal venue. Your chosen venue should meet the following requirements:

A roomy fit: Your venue should be able to accommodate all guests invited with adequate space for free movement;
Eating, drinking and partying areas: Your chosen venue should have an easily assessable bar and a hall for dancing. The hall should have good acoustic properties so as to avoid reverberation;
Privacy: the chosen facility should meet your privacy standards in terms of privacy. If you want an open-to-all style wedding then a park would be ideal. However if your preferred wedding style is an invited-guests-only, you may want to consider a restaurant or a hotel with adequate security; and
Lighting conditions: The lighting condition of your venue should not be downplayed upon, as it affects the quality of photographs taken.

Food and drinks

Food and alcohol contribute quite a huge portion of the event’s budget; hence they should be considered a big deal. You should pay rapt attention to the type, quality and quantity of food and drinks to be served on the day. You should also find out if the venue offers in-house catering services, because if they don’t, you’ll to pay extra for these services.

It’s wise to have a taste of wines and beers on the menu in advance. You should be very specific about hard alcohol selections.

January 2, 2016/by Chris Abell

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How To Pick The Right Venue For Your Wedding Reception

Many couples choose to not hire a wedding DJ until they have found a reception hall. However, it might be better to do it the other way around – put the ceremony music at the top of the checklist. But why? Who would know best about the different reception halls in the area? The experienced Disk Jockey who do a lot of weddings and often go to the same place. Sometimes it might happen that they become regulars to a certain place due to the high demand that it has for receptions.

Since wedding DJs can be of great assistance by giving you suggestions for different reception halls that might have not come to your mind, it might be a good idea that you hire a wedding DJ St Louis before finding a venue. Here you can read some tips that you would learn from experienced St Louis DJ.

1. The Size of the Venue

One of the most important thing about a wedding is the size of the hall where you are going to hold it. Consider

How many people can comfortably seat?
How big is the dance floor?
Will there be enough space for the cake table?
Is there enough room for the StLouisDJ to set up?

2. Climate

If you go for an indoor reception hall, make sure that it has the proper climate control. After all, you don’t want your guests to be too hot or too cold during the ceremony. Ask about the heating/air condition before reserving the place.

On the other hand, if you plan on holding the wedding outdoors, make sure that you keep an eye out for the weather and that you have a backup plan in case Mother Nature decides something else. After all, your wedding DJ St Louis wouldn’t want to set up their expensive equipment if it seems like it’s going to rain.

3. Distance from the hall to the actual wedding ceremony

This is something that a couple should consider when looking for the ideal place to get married. Many couples decide to save up some money by having the ceremony in the same place as the reception. This is also more convenient for the guests who will drive to a single location.

If you find a reception hall that has a beautiful landscape, you might want to consider holding the ceremony there. However, if you want to have your wedding in a church and you can’t hold the reception there, you should consider the distance between the two.

4. The time between the ceremony and the reception

When you manage to find the perfect place for the reception and another one for the ceremony, consider the time between the end of the one and the start of the other. You should consider the time that your wedding DJ would require to set up their equipment and be ready so that when the guests arrive everything is going to be set and ready to begin.

You want your guests to not lose their mood even for a single second during the whole wedding because you want them to have as much good memories of the whole event as you will.

5. Smoking or non-smoking

Nowadays this is not such a big deal as it once was. Most of the public facilities and reception halls nowadays are non-smoking. You probably won’t have any problems with this, however you should still consider talking with the venue coordinator beforehand. The last thing that you would want at your own wedding is for someone to light up a smoke and catch something on fire.

Most of the people are considerate of their own smoking habits, especially when there are many non-smokers gathered in the same place as them. When you have your wedding reception outdoors, you should consider having a couple of smoking areas where the non-smokers won’t be disturbed.

Wrap Up!

If you happen to have hired a wedding planner to help you out with all of the preparations for your wedding day, it won’t be a bad idea to have your abelldjcompany to coordinate with the planner and go over some suggestions. Together they might be able to find an even better venue than the one that you had in mind.

POSTED BY:

Christopher Abell

Premier Entertainment Services, LLC
10805 Sunset Office Dr Suite 300
St Louis MO 63127

314-266-2666
www.abelldjcompany.com

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March 2, 2015/by Chris Abell