8 Things You Must Know Before Renting a Hall

Doing a little research can help your parents or godparents choose the right place for your Quince.

A religious ceremony is an important part of every quinceañera, but once it’s over you will want to have a Quince bash!

If you’re planning to celebrate your Quince in a hall, the first thing you must think about is reserving a place at least six months prior to your Quinceañera. However, finding and reserving a place is not enough. You must prepare and have your parents and/or godparents ask a few questions before signing a contract. Once you get this over with, you will have enough time and energy to make the rest of the arrangements.

Marie Bottjer, event manager at the Sierra La Verne Country Club, and Caitlan Hinshaw, event coordinator at the same location, say there’s an average of two quinceañeras celebrated in their ballroom every month. These two experts helped us create a list of questions every parent must ask before renting a reception hall.

1. What services are included in the price? Most reception halls have several offers. “For example, our basic package for only $39.95 per guest comes with two appetizers, dinner, table linens, decoration, champagne, and cake. We can add other services, but it all depends on the customer’s budget,” says Bottjer. It’s also important to ask if there is a special discount if you buy a larger package.

2. Do I have to pay a deposit fee? To reserve a date, most reception halls ask for a deposit fee, which is usually 25% of the total amount. “We ask for a $2,000 deposit at the time of signing a contract,” says Hinshaw. “After that, half the balance must be paid 30 days prior to the event and the remaining balance two days before the party.” You will find that most reception halls provide their services under these conditions, so you can have an idea of how much your parents or godparents will have to spend.

3. What is the reception hall’s capacity? Don’t forget that your guests must feel comfortable at all times. “To avoid overcrowding and having to deny entrance to some of your guests, we ask the quinceañera to create a guest list and provide us with a copy,” assures the professional coordinator. “If you have a defined list, it is much easier to control who comes into the party and avoid any awkward situations.”

4. Is the menu included and if so, how will it be served? If you want the reception hall to include catering services, ask for a menu and what is included. “Most reception halls that provide catering services have at least three main dishes on their menu. It is also a good idea to find out if this service includes waiters or if the food is served as a buffet. This way you know what to expect,” warns Hinshaw.

5. Are alcoholic beverages allowed? It’s important to clear up this matter and know how much you will have to pay for this service, since alcoholic beverage policies vary depending on the reception hall. “Some include this service or allow the godparents to handle the alcoholic beverages. However, there are others that only allow the dispensing of alcohol through their own bar, which is the case at our reception hall,” says Marie Bottjer.

6. How many cars can the parking lot fit? It’s also a good idea to ask about parking arrangements. For example, if the parking lot has good lighting, if there are alternate areas to park vehicles, and if the reception hall provides security guards to patrol the area.

7. Are there any restrictions? Before sealing the deal, make sure to know the reception hall’s rules. For example, at what time must the event end, how loud can music be played, etc. “Rules may vary on certain aspects, but event hours must be followed,” says Caitlan. “All our events, for example, end exactly at midnight. No exceptions.”

8. Can I get a copy of the contract? This is your proof of purchase in case something that was agreed on was not carried out. On this matter, Caitlan comments that: “This is very important; a contract must be signed in order for both parties to be protected. You must also make sure that the contract states all the services you will be paying for, a total amount, payments that must be made and dates of payment as well as the amount you gave as a deposit.”

Useful information:
Sierra La Verne Country Club
6300 Country Club Dr., La Verne, CA 91750
Tel: 909-596-2100
http://www.sierralavernecc.com

This post is also available in: Spanish