Start looking as soon as you engagement has been announced. This will guarantee a better selection and less compromise on your part.

Check on various sites by referral from other service vendors, friends, yellow page ads, your local chamber of commerce, or check out listing. If you find a few that you are really interested in, call and ask them to send you information and menus. After you have narrowed your research down to three that interest you, call for available dates. If any of the dates fit into your schedule ask for an appointment. Only view three or four facilities. Adding more facilities will only make your choice confusing.

When viewing the varies facilities, take a couple of people with you. Try to only visit three sites and check for date availability before you schedule a visit. If you take too many people or visit too many sites the decision process becomes more difficult.

Locations charging a rental fee usually do not include catering. (Many can provide a list of caterers that they prefer.)

Locations like Restaurants and Banquet Halls that offer catering will usually charge a per person fee.

Will your guest be comfortable here? Is it large enough for dancing, musicians, and an area to cut the cake?

At each site, whether it be a reception site only (no catering on-site), or a Banquet facility, ask if packages are available. If so, then what is included in the package?

As with everything you are planning, check for additional charges that have not been mentioned. Common charges include a corkage fee, a cake cutting fee, etc .

Many facilities have multiple rooms that can accommodate varied size weddings. Capacities can vary during different times of the year, depending on whether they offer outside, inside, or both facilities.

Consider off-peak times to have your wedding. This may save you a fair amount of money to have your wedding on a Friday or Sunday night, instead of a Saturday in August. Ask receptions sites and vendors about availability and if they offer any savings if you choose this route.

Mid November through January first is NOT a good time to plan a wedding. Most facilities and caterers will be booked for office, and business related parties. If you really want a December wedding it would be to your benefit to reserve the site of you choosing a year in advance. Depending on the site and the area you live in, the possibilities of reserving a site with less notice still may be feasible.

Get all of the details in writing from any service you use before you put money down. This will help prevent broken promises or cover you in the event that the contact person (with whom you made the original agreement with), is no longer in the companies employment. It gives you proof to back up what agreements were made.

Deposits and final balance dates, will vary. Check out ALL details before signing on the dotted line.

Check out their policies on alcohol restrictions, music and dancing restrictions, and the times that are available. Also check the terms of liability insurance.