I have worked as a Wedding Coordinator at a beautiful venue for the last 6 years and have endless amounts of advice and insider tips for brides. First of all you should do your homework and know what to ask a wedding venue before you call or step foot in the door. I have complied a list of what I feel to be the top ten questions you should ask a venue. I went ahead and filled in the answers to each of these based on our accommodations at Menifee Lakes Country Club, where I currently work in Southern California.

 

VENUE:     MENIFEE LAKES COUNTRY CLUB

                29875 MENIFEE LAKES DRIVE

                MENIFEE, CA 92584

             www.menifee-lakes.com

1) IS MY DATE AVAILABLE? ALTERNATE DATE(S)

If you have a specific day your heart is set on this should be the first question you ask. We will check dates over the phone or thru email so you know before you make the trip to visit us.

2) WHAT ARE THE RATES FOR DIFFERENT DAYS OR TIMES (FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY; AFTERNOON, EVENING)?

Yes, Friday and Sunday are less expensive than a Saturday and a day time event is less expensive than an evening. We will print a price quote for a wedding based on the menu options from our packages so you can consider days, times, and pricing with anyone who may be helping finance the wedding.

3) IS THERE A PAYMENT SCHEDULE AND WHAT KIND OF DEPOSITS ARE REQUIRED?

The basic payment plan requires a $1,000.00 deposit to book the wedding date. A 25% payment is due 6 months before the wedding date followed by a  25% payment,  a 3 month 25% payment, and a final 25% payment 1 month before the wedding.  The final payment is due 10 days before the wedding.

4) ARE THERE HIDDEN COSTS LIKE A SERVICE CHARGE, GRATUITY, CLEANING FEES, OR OVERTIME CHARGES?

We charge a rental fee, a per person charge for food service, California state tax, as well as a 20% service charge (can also be referred to as a gratuity). A quote will include all of the costs. You can add additional hours to the package for an additional fee as well.

5) WHAT IS THE LAST POSSIBLE DATE THAT WE CAN MAKE CHANGES?

10 days prior to the wedding date all final details and payments must be made.

 6) IS THERE ROOM FOR A BAND AND/OR DANCING?

Yes, we have a large area that can be used for a band, DJ, and dancing.

7) ARE THERE NOISE RESTRICTIONS?

No, the reception is held inside the building so there are no noise restrictions.

8) IS THERE A BACKUP PLAN FOR RAIN OR OTHER INCLEMENT WEATHER? IF NOT, IS THERE A PLACE WHERE WE CAN PUT UP A TENT?

Yes and Yes, we can set up the ceremony inside if the weather is not permitting and for additional fee a tent can be set up outside.

9) WHEN CAN MY VENDORS ARRIVE FOR SETUP?

We include two hours prior for set up and additional hours may be purchased at a discounted price if more than two hours are needed.

10) WHO WILL OUR POINT PERSON BE BEFORE THE WEDDING? ON THE DAY OF OUR WEDDING? CAN WE MEET THEM NOW?

Here at Menifee lakes Country Club it would be Christa or Angie we both work in the planning process and one of us will be here on the day of your wedding.  Both of us give wedding tours and we are in 7 days a week and you are more than welcome to meet with us during the planning of your wedding.

Click on the link below to print this handy list of questions

(take this with you to the venue!):

 Top 10 Questions You Should Ask a Venue

Many people ask what I like about it best about Menifee Lakes Country Club and by far my favorite aspect would have to be the unique layout of the building and amazing timber lined ceiling. The building is two levels with a small restaurant and separate men’s and women’s dressing area and restrooms on the lower lever. The upper level is comprised of the golf shop, the large Main Ballroom, East Ballroom, tile Lobby area and bar area that overlook the two 18-hole championship golf courses. Meaning there is an abundance or lush grass and endless photo opportunities.

Photo of Main Ballroom at Menifee Lakes Country Club.

Menifee Lakes Country Club has amazing customizable wedding packages great for any wedding. We offer the basics and you can add to it or change it to fit your wedding. We include all the tables, chairs, napkins, linen, glassware, china, bottomless punch bowl, cake cutting service and champagne toast with every package as well as the serving and bartending staff.  Menifee Lakes Country Club also offers two beautiful ceremony locations. We have the courtyard location and you can choose to have your wedding facing the grand front doors or facing the beautiful fountain.

Photo of Courtyard location facing the building

Photo of the courtyard location facing the fountain.

You can also choose to have your wedding on the grass of the golf course for an evening wedding.

Photography by Jamie Joy of ceremony on the grass overlooking one of the many lakes on the golf course.

Once you have found your perfect venue here are a few more insider tips:

Leave a little elbow room

A standard round table (at most venues) is a 60-inch round table, and can seat up to 10 guests. Just because you can do this doesn’t always mean you should. If you have lots of left hand guests consider only seating 8 people per table.  Left hand guests could actually bump elbows with all those right hand guests if you seat too many guests at a table. So remember to leave a little elbow room.

It also gives you a few extra seats if you plan for 8 per table and last minute have a guest decide to come.

You can add them to a table and not have to scramble to redo the seating chart and get a centerpiece for the extra table.

 

Vendor Meals

Should you supply a meal for vendors?  My rule of thumb is if the vendor is staying for more than 3 hours and will be present during the entire dinner service time you should consider having a meal for them.

I  always recommend to keep vendors happy and think about their needs as well because a happy vendor will work better and be more pleasant to work with, making the day more enjoyable for everyone.

Think about it if you are a vendor and are going to be working 9+ hours you are going to need to take a least a few breaks and eat something  during day. It can vary so it is best to ask each vendor if they would like a meal because some vendors may eat before hand or plan breaks and meals themselves. If they would like a meal supplied talk to your reception location or catering company and ask if they have special vendor meals or pricing.

A DJ or photographer who may be scarfing down a meal between grand entrance and toasts doesn’t need prime rib and twice baked potatoes, it might be nice to serve them the same as your guests but ask your cater about different options and by planning ahead many caters may throw in a vendor meal or two if you are having a buffet or you can plan for a lower cost menu option for vendors.

Remember to plan ahead because you don’t want to have to buy them that $60+ a plate meal and fork over the payment the day of your wedding if you don’t plan ahead.

 

Get More Great Wedding Planning Tips and DIY Ideas at Bridal Shows

If  you are in Southern California feel free to drop by and learn more about Menifee Lakes Country Club and have a full tour of the location and a wealth of insider tips and advice.

 

Enjoy your wedding planning and check back for more wedding planning tips and more vendor highlights on DIY Bride this month.

 

 

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