How to Choose a Good Site for Your Same-Sex Ceremony Reception

Choosing the right site for your commitment ceremony reception is just as important as picking a good place for the ceremony. In fact, you'll likely be spending a lot more time at the reception location than at the place where you tie the knot. Here's how to choose a good reception site.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

1. Find out what the site fee and deposit are. If the venue provides catering, find out if the site fee is waived with a minimum catering purchase.

2. Ask how many people the space holds in various possible configurations, such as for a formal dinner or with a buffet table and chairs around the side.

3. Inquire about chairs, tables and linens. Are they provided?

4. Find out if a dance floor is available or can be installed, and learn what fees are associated with that.

5. Check if you can choose an outside caterer. Do you have to choose from a list of approved caterers or can you choose anyone you like?

6. Check to see if you can bring in your own alcoholic beverages, if desired. If so, will you be required to get a banquet permit to serve alcohol?

7. Check also to see if a sound system - and someone to run it - is provided. Is an extra charge associated with the sound system?

8. Make sure you won't be required to pay overtime charges if you stay past a certain time in the evening.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have guests with disabilities, make sure they will be able to get into the site and move around easily. Many older sites still don't have ramps. Check the bathrooms for accessibility, too.