Small wedding - questions to ask hotel

TediousPhoenix

I've just arranged to meet the wedding co-ordinator at a local hotel this Saturday.

We are looking to get married in April, but there will only be about 10-15-ish people there.

I 'phoned and asked if they can accommodate 10-15 people for a sit down meal after the ceremony (which will probably be at the registry office) in a small room, and he said it should be no problem, and to come down and talk to their wedding co-ordinator this weekend.

We only want a really small doo and can see the wedding co-ordinator perhaps talking us into a big wedding with all the things we don't need! What questions should we be asking? If it weren't for having to have two witnesses we'd probably just 'get married' then go home, but if people have to travel to get here then they'd at least expect a meal of some sorts, hence trying to find somewhere to accommodate that.

So, we want a room, want to take photos probably, want a 3 course meal... other than that I'm not sure what else to ask. Neither of us have even even organised even a small party before and have no idea!

JenE_2

If you're not getting married at the hotel, why not get a private room in a restaurant instead? That way they'll most likely already have nice-looking chairs so no "you'll need chair covers" conversation! Also, if you don't say it's a wedding you'll probably get things cheaper - the "w" word seems to double prices! And don't be worried about saying no to things you don't want!

Good luck, hope you have a fab day when it comes!

shellsuit

JenE wrote: »

If you're not getting married at the hotel, why not get a private room in a restaurant instead? That way they'll most likely already have nice-looking chairs so no "you'll need chair covers" conversation! Also, if you don't say it's a wedding you'll probably get things cheaper - the "w" word seems to double prices! And don't be worried about saying no to things you don't want!

Good luck, hope you have a fab day when it comes!

Great idea!!! Would probably be a lot more intimate too! :T

frannyann

We are using a hotel and we only have 30, we found the wedding co-ordinator very nice, we knew our numbers and she didn't try and force us to have more than that. Depending on how big the hotel is, may be worth asking if you would be the only wedding hosted that day, also what they include in the package price (if they are quoting a per head price) aim to get the room hire knocked off the final price, its the one area they can lose (and hope to make it up by selling drinks to your guests)
Are you looking to have an evening 'do', you may find its really cheap to add that on as they know you will invite people who 'will' spend at the bar.

TediousPhoenix

Thank you for your replies.

I Googled for restaurants in my area and there's a nice looking one a few minutes walk from the registry office. I called after looking at their website and seeing they do wedding packages. It seems quite reasonable - £35 or £45, no room hire.

We are going to look at that one first and then go to the hotel after. I suppose we effectively have a choice of a nice meal, or great meal and nice settings but more money. We'll see what we fancy, but I reckon the restaurant will win! I don't want to go over the top.

Good tip trying to get the room hire knocked off though!

I was thinking about not mentioning the 'W' word, but I didn't have the bottle - or composure - to lie. Well, it's not lying... bending the truth!

I'll let people know how we get along.

Skintmama

Do think about how you would like the seating arranged and make this very clear.

We did not want a top table arrangement as my parents are divorced but to all sit around one big table.

Unfortunately the new manager thought that must be wrong on the day and changed it to a formal horse shoe so the seating was a nightmare!

frannyann

TediousPhoenix wrote: »

Thank you for your replies.

I Googled for restaurants in my area and there's a nice looking one a few minutes walk from the registry office. I called after looking at their website and seeing they do wedding packages. It seems quite reasonable - £35 or £45, no room hire.

We are going to look at that one first and then go to the hotel after. I suppose we effectively have a choice of a nice meal, or great meal and nice settings but more money. We'll see what we fancy, but I reckon the restaurant will win! I don't want to go over the top.

Good tip trying to get the room hire knocked off though!

I was thinking about not mentioning the 'W' word, but I didn't have the bottle - or composure - to lie. Well, it's not lying... bending the truth!

I'll let people know how we get along.

How about 'I am looking at venues for a family get together' Thats not lying

TediousPhoenix

frannyann wrote: »

How about 'I am looking at venues for a family get together' Thats not lying

Well, none of my family will be there and he may have a brother or sister out of 4 there...

It's going to be more of a friends event really.

It's complicated!

frannyann

TediousPhoenix wrote: »

Well, none of my family will be there and he may have a brother or sister out of 4 there...

It's going to be more of a friends event really.

It's complicated!

Okay, 'I am having a get together with old friends'

TediousPhoenix

As promised, here's the update.

We went to the restaurant first. It was nice. Simple. We could have the backroom until about 5pm on the Saturday of our choice for free (as long as no one else wants it, but we were told the chances of this are very slim). The setting was nice and they had gardens too. So about £45 per person (including wine), although I'm sure there could be a bit of haggling involved there.

Next was the hotel. Basically, we were impressed with the restaurant and thought our mind was made up.

But we were pleasantly surprised. And the cost wasn't bad either. We could have the hire of the room all day for £200. It's the same room that's licensed for the ceremony, so would be perfect in size. And the food is lovely. We stayed for the 'snack' option as the evening meal was booked up today. It was more than £50 for the two of us, but lovely at the same time. On the day day a 3 course meal will cost about £40, wine £20 per bottle.

The gardens are lovely, the manor is beautiful, we can get married there instead of the local registry office, there's only ever one wedding per day held there, and, to be honest, it's our preferred choice.

The only problem though is the dates. We can be flexible - but to an extent. We booked the honeymoon first as we've been careful with the dates by taking into consideration the weather here and the Maldives, price and Easter and number of days we have to take off work.

But as you've guessed it... other people have had the same idea! We thought Saturdays would be booked and they are, but our perfect Sunday's booked too!

They can do the 11th April (but we have an evening flight that day), all Fridays, 28th March, as well as the Easter Monday.

But will there be any draw backs having it on Easter Monday? That would be the best date for us, but we will have to confirm if the registrar if they are able to make it (and even most likely pay a premium if they will). Does anyone know if people can get a registrar that day?

And are florists open that day? If not I suppose we'd go MSE and buy supermarket flowers and make our own bouquets and button holes. And cake... I suppose being Easter we'd run out of luck find people don't want to work... more MSE-own cake!

I doubt I'd get a hairdresser either!

So all-in-all...

Mazzarati2000

Hey, - sounds lovely, whatever you decide; & I hope you have the day that YOU both want ;-).

Flowers don't have to be difficult OR expensive (you should see the bouquets/arrangements I've thrown together at the last min for events/competitions over the years... :-).

As for cake, do you really need them to be open on the day? Dunno if you're going for fruit or sponge, but fruit keeps 4 AGES ( christening tradition) & sponge is OK for a day or so, esp. if iced ( which I imagine it woud be for a wedding?),so there's no issue there :-) . If you went for the 'tiers of cupcakes' trend, it may even be poss to freeze these in advance?? Remember thar even a baker is unlikely to make the cake on the day, so whether you buy or DIY, don't let the shops being shut on your chosen day put you off!

Will try & keep up with the thread & if I can help with ideas/flowers/cake, feel free to PM me, will be glad to help if I can!

Good luck! xx