mrs2be.ie

[twinkler]

With the recession on everyone's mind, is there anything that I can be asking the hotel to do for us? Any bargaining advice from anyone? Corkage is something that I'm going to try and negotiate on but is there anything else that I should be thinking about?

[gorgeous cards]

Some hotels offer a package, others you find everything is extra - some of the details to consider are the chair covers, table arrangements, evening food cost, Reception drink - what is included and what isn't - perhaps some free petit fours, SIL got a complimentary second night in Honeymoon suite (if you get married on a Sat, unless they have a wedding the next day it isn't any hassle to them if you stay til Monday),
Brain not working will add more if I think of them

[smiler]

There are definitely loats of deals out there with hotels at the moment. A lot of them are offering extras - chair covers, corkage etc. Some weddings offer special packages if you're getting married Monday to Thursday. It can add to do a discount of a couple of thousand. If it doesn't matter to you what day of the week you get married, it might be something to consider. Sorry, can't think of that many questions at the moment. I think I have a list of questions somewher. I'll have a look.

[gorgeous cards]

There a few hotels that still have the archaic practice of a service charge - haggle it down. In this day and age I think it's an unnecessary extra - the price per head should be the price you pay! In particular if there are a lot of drinks with the meal, it's a huge additional cost.

[newbie]

I was totally shocked when we discovered that some hotels charge a service charge! I mean they're making enough money as it is. When we were pricing hotels, one of them had a service charge of 12.5%! I couldn't believe it. It was adding on at least €1,500 onto the overall cost. I wonder do some couples book without realising the extra cost.

[gorgeous cards]

I think they hope that people don't realise it. I think it's crazy - to pay a charge for a person to do their job. I mean if the bus driver drops you off at the right place does he ask for an extra €2?
And I guess you crossed Renvyle off your list?!?
I worked in hospitality all my life - I was a front of house manager in a previous life, and I have to say that service charge was more of a norm 15 years ago but it rarely made its way to the pockets of the waiting staff and kitchen staff it was intended for. Often hotel owners just used it to pay staff or it was put into a "pot" and at the end of the season was never divvied up. So it makes me as brides I'm sure believe that the money goes to the staff who served them.

[newbie]

Check if you can get have a menu tasting. Some hotels offer this and it makes sense. Why should you pick a menu for 100+ people and not know what it taste like?

[Bride of the Year]

Here is a good list I found a while ago:

General Tips
What to ask the Venue Manager
-When will we need to provide final guest numbers?
-What is the minimum number required for the Ballroom, and are children included in this number?
-How many staff will be provided on the day - waiting and bar?
-Is there a smoking area off the ballroom?
-Is there a choice of table shapes, I.e. round, square.
-How many can each table seat - how many tables are there?
-What table layout do you recommend?
-Will there be someone I can liaise with who will be there on the day?
-What are the arrangements for greeting guests as they arrive?
-Do you number the tables or do we?
-Can you play music during the meal - CD?
-Will a staff member handle this, or will we need to find someone?
-Is there a stand for the table plan?
-Can a member of staff act as 'toastmaster' - announcer for speeches, cake cutting etc?
-What is the payment schedule?
-Who will be supervising on the day of the wedding?
-What costs are incurred if the guest numbers change last minute?
-Is there flexibility on the cost of the bar extension?
-Is there a limit to the number of day and evening guests?
-Are there any noise restrictions, e.g. for the band?
-Are fireworks allowed (not necessarily required, just checking!)?
-Do you include the bridal suite free of charge?
-Do we get a free night on our 1^st year anniversary?
-Do we get a reduced rate for the night before the wedding?
-Is it possible to have hairdressers and makeup artists come to our room on morning of the wedding.
-How can we ensure that rooms are reserved for VIP guests only - does this require a deposit?
-Is there a room we can safely store gifts etc during the day (other than a bedroom)?
-Will you inform us if there is another wedding on the same day as ours?
Food, Drink etc
-When do we need to decide on the menu?
-When can we come in for a menu tasting?
-Is it free of charge, do we get a free night in the hotel for this menu tasting?
-Will we be able to meet and liaise with the chef occasionally?
-Can we provide some alcohol for the evening reception?
-How much would you charge per glass of champagne, if we wished to offer a glass to each guest?
-When does the bar open?
-What happens to un-used wine and champagne?
-How long will the evening buffet be out until it is cleared away?
- How much afters food do you advise for 100 day guests and no afters guests?
-What is the children's menu - how much is it?
-What is the vegetarian option, when do we need to let you know numbers of vegetarians?
-is there a charge for choice of main course?
- is it possible to have some other dish in case main dish is not liked (eg. Chicken dish if beef main silent choice?)
-Can you cater for anyone with a special diet i.e. gluten free etc?
-Is there a cheaper food option available for photographer/band etc?
-Do you have high chairs available? How many?
-Is service charge included in the price?
-Will we be able to sample the house wine and house champagne before we choose our drinks package
- Bar extension -How much and until what time?

Cake
- Does the hotel provide a cake stand and what type is it?
- Is there a cover for the stand? What colour is it?
- When is it cut? How much is cut?
- Does hotel provide a cake knife?
-When should the wedding cake be delivered, and where will it be stored?
- Can we use wedding cake as dessert?

Decorations
-Who is responsible for decorating the venue - when is the room available?
-Who will decorate the tables?
-Can we have tea-lights/candles on the tables?
-What chair covers can be provided?
-Would someone be able to collect the decorations after the event, and we will arrange to have them taken them home the following day?
-Do you have any restrictions on decorations?
-What is the china/glassware like?
-Is confetti allowed outside of the building?
-What flowers/decorations etc are provided?
-Do you provide flowers for the top table?
-Will there be linen table cloths and napkins?
-Will someone be able to collect any decorations that we've brought so that we can collect them at some point after the reception?

Table Plan
- How is it displayed?
- When do we need to let the hotel know the names & numbers of guests and seating plan

Timings
-How long should we allow for reception drinks, meal etc?
-What is the best time that the evening guests should arrive?
-At what time should the wedding cake be served?
-What time will you serve the evening buffet?
-How long will the meal take to be served?
-What time should we book band?
-What time does DJ have to end?
-What time is bar close at?
-What time is residents bar open until? Is there residents bar?

Guest Information
-What is the check-in/out time for overnight guests?
-How will people buy additional alcohol during the meal?
-Is there anywhere for guests to store coats, bags etc?
-Will there be someone on hand to arrange taxis for departing guests?
-What time is breakfast served in the morning?

Payment
-How much of a deposit is required
-Percentage required before/after the day (proforma invoice issued)
-Is the service charge included
-If they numbers are slightly out on the day will it still cost
-Method (Credit card/cheque/cash)?
-When does the balance need to be paid?

Photographer
-How much for each package?
-How many shots will they take on the day ?
-When do they start and finish ?
-How many shots in the album ?
-What is the style of photography - candid or formal or traditional?
-How long after the wedding will they have the album ready?
-Do they insist on a meal, or to be in the seating plan?
-How much for re-prints?
-How much for parent albums?
-Do they do Black & White
-Do they supply all photographs taken in CD or proofs
-Do they have a full set of backup equipment- in case a flash goes etc.?
-Is there indemnity insurance?

Band
- How much to play for the wedding?
- How much to pay for the deposit?
- Can you go to hear them perform live somewhere in the near future?
- Can you pay by credit card, cheque, cash?
- When does the balance need to be paid?
- What is the normal set list?
- How long will they play for?
- How long it takes them to set up?
- If you are getting the band's DJ, check that they will not repeat the same songs played by the band
- How long the DJ will play?
- Can they do some Special requests for you?
- Can they do the first dance song?
- Do they take a break, and if so for how long?
- Will they allow guests to get up and sing if they would like?

[mrsOtobe]

Wow, I bet the hotels would love to get a query list as long as that! Makes you realise all the little details that you need to consider though! I'm just at the very start of organising our wedding, lists like that are scaring me a little!!

[suzi]

lists like that are scaring me a little!!

You and me both!!

[gorgeous cards]

wow that's comprehensive
Think it should be made into a "sticky" and left at the top.

[octoberbride]

My god, that is one long list! I hadn't considered half of those things when we were booking/negotiating with the hotel. Thanks for that. Claire, can we get this put up as a sticky?

[newbie]

Brilliant list. Should definitely be a sticky!

[june2010]

wow thanks bride of the year!! thats a brill list scary but good

[Blondiegizmo]

Fantastic list...printing it out as we speak to put in my handbag so i'll have it when going to hotel, talking 2 bands etc. Great questions that you always think of when you have already left these places!!!