Read your contracts before booking your reception

This is so important!! Know what you are getting yourself into.

Questions to ask:
1) What is the deposit? Is it non refundable?
2) What space exactly have you booked?
3) When are installment payments due? Are there penalties if you're late in paying?
4) What will a facility let you do decorating wise? Can you hang things, use rose petals, bring in your own vendors, etc?
5) Do you have to use a specific caterer? If so, find out or estimate how much their portion will cost you.
6) When can you set up on the day, or days prior to, the wedding?

Sometimes you can find a loophole in the contract and get some of your money returned. I have had two clients this year who have almost fallen victim to reception halls. I got a $2,000 deposit refunded to one client because they cashed her check without her signing a contract. I got a second $1,000 deposit refunded from a caterer for the same reason. However, I have a client who is out $500 because she decided to move her reception somewhere else. Even though the wedding is 15 months from now, the deposit is non refundable and there is nothing we can do.