The best place to start is at the beginning which is closing your location. Here are some things to look for…
Style size and layout of the building Every catering facility is unique in its décor and layout. Along with the reception consider the logistics as far as having your ceremony there or in a church. Does the facility have the space you need with a suitable Layout for your entertainment? Also notice where the Bride & Groom's table is. Is it near the kitchen door? If so all your pictures will have waiters carrying dishes in your pictures. Here is another tip. When touring facilities during the choosing process always check the bathrooms. It makes a much better impression for your guests when the bathrooms are as clean as the rest of the facility.
Proximity / travel for guests. Consider the location of your wedding ceremony in relation to the location of the reception and where your guests are travelling from. For example if your guests are from NY you are better off not having a Friday night summer south Jersey wedding. The chances for shore traffic is high which can make for a late start plus you may end up with a few cranky guests.In this case a Saturday night is a better choice.
Service and quality of food Some facilities take a bag of salad and just put it on a plate while others arrange it into a fancy, decorative basket filled with assorted vegetables and a special spring roll to compliment it. The punchline here is that both facilities will charge you the same fee! Your special day should be as elegant as possible down to the details. Also take a look at the staff at the facility. Look to see if the staff is dressed in matching uniforms. Maybe this detail doesn’t matter much to you, but your guests may notice. It is important to pay attention to details that all add up to a beautiful event.
Reputation If you know of a few people that have had their event at a particular facility and loved it, then it is definitely a good idea to consider having your event there too. Reputation is a big factor when choosing any of your vendors.
Communication with person who will be there on the day of the event. Speaking to the Matre D in charge on the night of your wedding is a huge plus. The Matre D coordinates the chef and staff and is the person who will be responsible for the flow of your reception. Your wedding is an event and the people you have running it can make it or break it for you. I will tell you that not all Matre Ds are the same.. I have seen Matre Ds go so far as helping the bride bustle her dress to one particular case where the Matre D actually left the building to tend to another event!
I could go on and on about the various things I have seen in my experience over the years and believe me I have seen it all from floods and power loss to outrageously exciting affairs. I am here to offer any help that you may need. Please feel free to leave a comment below and contact me for any additional information via email. I hope that some of these tips help you while deciding on your venue. Don’t get sold on price alone get sold on what suits your event. There are a lot of options out there…good luck!