We have been getting lots of emails from brides all over the country who are asking some great wedding planning questions. I am going to share some of them with you, just in case you have been asking yourself the same thing. I recently received this question from a bride in Kansas City:

Hi, I’m trying to find a hotel that will hold an Indian wedding and reception for about 250-300 people. We want to do the ceremony in the morning with catered Indian food from an Indian restaurant for lunch. The evening reception and dinner to be catered by the hotel. Is this even possilbe(sic) to find? I’m having trouble getting a hotel that allows outside catering.

This is a great question. I have done a few Indian weddings during my career. Each time we brought in an outside caterer because finding a chef who has mastered Indian Cuisine can be a challenge. Typically hotels do not allow guests to bring in outside food and beverage because of legal liability and profitability. However, our team has been able to get exceptions by doing the following:

• Negotiating a room rental fee. Hotels get revenue by selling food, so if you are bringing food in from elsewhere, the hotel won’t make any money. This problem can be resolved by paying the hotel a fee to use their space.
• Purchasing a bar package. The hotel makes even more money on the bar than they do on the food. When you purchase a bar package, you ensure that the hotel will have revenue from the space you are renting.
• Guarantee a minimum number of room nights at the hotel. Hotel banquet facilities exist primarily to sell hotel rooms. If your guests stay on property, that will make your wedding an attractive piece of business to the hotel.
• Offer to setup a meeting with the restaurant who will be catering, the hotel catering manager and the hotel chef so they can work out any issues and concerns that any of them may have. Sometimes creating trust between the restaurant and hotel is all you will need for a yes answer.

Keep in mind that a hotel won’t just give up control over the food on a whim. The only instances I have successfully brought in outside food was for Indian weddings and Kosher weddings. Show the hotel management that you are sensitive to their needs for making a profit and maintaining some control and you may successfully negotiate bringing in your food.

If you have any questions you would like answered, post it here, or email me at susan.southerland@pwg.com.

Your Partner in Perfect Planning,

Susan

Bridal show season is definitely in full swing. I see ads and signs for them everywhere. If you have never been to one before, they can be a bit overwhelming. Here are some tips to making the most of your visit to the bridal show:

• Check to see if you can register for the show in advance. You may be able to get discounted admission and it will save you time on show day.
• Wear comfortable shoes. Bridal shows are HUGE. You will be on your feet walking for hours. Make sure your feet feel good or you will be miserable.
• Setup a special wedding email account. Once you register at all the vendor booths at the show, those vendors will send you lots of information. If you want to avoid clogging up your work email with wedding information, you should make an email account specifically for the wedding. This will also help you keep all your information organized.
• Bring labels with your name, address, phone number, email address and wedding date. You will be asked for this information over and over again. Having those labels will save you time and wear and tear on your hands!
• Do not allow yourself to be pressured. Go to a show with the mindset of meeting many wonderful wedding vendors. Don’t feel like you have to sign any contracts or accept any offers on the day of the show.
• Bring a big shoulder bag for collecting information. You are going to get a lot of literature at the show. The shoulder bag will be much more comfortable than the plastic bag most shows provide… and its better for the environment!
• Follow up with vendors you like quickly. Remember, good vendors book up fast and your show-favorite could book up if you don’t act. If you find a vendor you like, make sure he knows it and get a contract going.

Now go out and have fun!

If you have comments or questions on bridal shows or anything wedding-related, post a message here or email me at susan.southerland@pwg.com.

Your Partner in Perfect Planning,

Susan