Planning your reception

venues

Choosing a venue for your reception is a major decision. After all the hard work of planning a wedding you deserve a good party afterwards – and you want to be sure your that all your guests have a memorable time, too.

The most basic starting point is to figure out how many guests you are inviting. If you’re expecting 500 folks to attend the function then a small restaurant is not going to cut it. Equally, you can’t stage an intimate event in the ballroom of a large hotel.

Other basics to consider are car parking (is there enough for everybody?), how good is disabled access for your older or less mobile guests and, if kids will be invited, what facilities are there to entertain the youngsters. This will allow accompanying parents to enjoy the day. A great way to get an idea of how a venue would look on the day is to ask to have a sneak peek when it is being set up for another wedding. That way you’ll be able to visualise the room when it’s full of tables, DJ’s equipment etc.

Once you’ve figured out how much room you’ll need you can start investigating the options – and there are plenty.

• Hotels, dedicated reception centres and restaurants are some of the most popular choices. Put quite simply, the people who run them are professionals who know exactly what they are doing. While you will only get married once (hopefully – if it’s the first time around), they will stage weddings all the time and be able to help with the rest of the planning.

• Marquees allow you to have a lot of control over the environment. A good marquee company should be able to advise on all the details.

• If you are planning a smaller wedding (or have access to a large house) having your reception at home – or a friend’s house – is a great option. Hire cleaners to put everything right afterwards.

• Having your reception on a boat can be great fun. From Port Hacking to the Georges River and even Sydney Harbour, there are plenty of elegant cruise boats to choose from.

• The quality of the food can make or break your wedding, so regardless of whether you are using an outside caterer or the venue’s own services, ensure you are absolutely confident the food will go well. Get to try the menu beforehand and ask lots of questions about what is and what isn’t included in the price when you meet with the caterer.

Look after all the details well in advance and you’ll be able to concentrate on having a good time on the day.

Abcot Gardens Function Centre – boutique venue
9544 6444
www.abcot.com.au

Bonnie Doon Golf Club – weddings with a sense of history and tradition
9349 2101
www.bonniedoongolfclub.com.au

Camellia Gardens Teahouse – for small, intimate weddings
9540 2018
www.teahouse.com.au

Club Menai – the perfect wedding venue
9532 1800
www.clubmenai.com.au

Gunyah View Function Room – stunning views and exceptional service
9527 7850
www.bundeenarsl.com.au

Hazelhurst – a unique venue
9521 8888
www.hazelhurst.com.au

Lagoon Seafood Restaurant – for the perfect day
4226 1677
www.lagoonrestaurant.com.au

Rydges Cronulla – weddings by the beach
8536 3125
www.rydges.com/cronulla

Shipwrights on the Marina – waterfront elegance
9547 0666
www.shipwrightsrestaurant.com

Tea by the Sea – high tea, our specialty
4294 3998
www.teabythesea.com.au

The Historic Como Hotel – the jewel of the Shire
9528 9900
www.thecomo.com.au