Finally, insist on getting pricing information from everyone you deal with in the form of bids. You want to be able to make some choices regarding where you have the reception, what kind of food is served (and how it is served), and you want to know what the going rate in your region is for these things.

The best way to do that is to get bids from at least three or four different venues. Along the way, you’ll pick up some creative ideas that you
might want to use whether you hire that particular vendor or not. When you settle on a reception site, a caterer, and musicians, pay the least amount down that you can negotiate, and do it with a credit card. In the case of a no show or other wedding day disappointment, your credit card company will make it a lot easier for you to be reimbursed by a nonperforming or nondelivering vendor. It’s just a smart way to handle your investment.

It happens often that just as the party gets warmed up and everyone is having a great time, it is time for the band to quit playing. Make
sure you find out if they are available  to continue, how much it will cost you, and if the country club or hotel will allow them to continue playing beyond the scheduled end of your reception. This often happens at about the same time the second keg runs out and  someone tries to convince you that a third one is a really good idea. Trust me it is not.

A better idea is to ask the band to play some “slow it down” music for the last set they are scheduled to play and to schedule some coffee
service late in the evening