Before touring reception facilities you will need to decide the date, location and time the reception will take place. Typically, most wedding receptions take place on Saturday night. However, if cost is an issue, you might want to consider having your reception on Friday night or on a Saturday morning or afternoon when a lighter menu would be sufficient.

Some facilities provide all-inclusive wedding packages where the catering, decorating, music, and wedding cake are all rolled into one total payment. You need to find out exactly what the reception facility offers. The following is a guideline of discussion items to ask the reception facility's coordinator.

• How many guests can be accommodated comfortably?
• Is there a minimum guest count requirement?
• Is there sufficient parking space?
• Does the facility have a dance floor?
• Are there entertainment restrictions?
• Does the facility supply a DJ or band?
• Can alcohol be served? Is there an open
• bar option? If so, are these services
• supplied & included in the price?
• How far ahead of time does the facility
• need to be reserved?
• Is there a deposit expected? If so, by what date does it need to be paid?
• If a cancellation occurs what is the refund policy? When is the total payment balance due?
• How many hours are allotted for the reception? Is there an overtime fee?

It would be wise to take notes as you are touring different reception facilities. Once you have decided upon a facility in which to celebrate your wedding, do not make any deposit payments without a written contract in which everything has been agreed upon by both parties and written down.