Food Staging Area

Well that's pretty cool. I don't have any experience yet with caterers but I would appreciate a changing/lounge room.

You need to have a dressing area for both sides of the party for sure.

I'd call some local caterers and ask them what they want and yes, it WILL get their name out. Also contact your local health department for their input on regulations.

Off the top of my head, as an ex caterer, I'd say a two deck convection oven, a stove top obviously (eight burners is ideal) , three bay sink (this will probably be in your health code), stainless steel tables. An ice machine is great, but a luxury you might add later.

Good luck!

Dressing rooms were not a deal breaker for me, but definitely nice if they are private and accommodating. Things that were deal breakers for me: (sorry nothing in direct relation to questions asked, but you said any advice lol)

1.) Was not handicap accessible

2.) Offered table and chairs, but they were plastic/fold up chairs (please invest in garden or chiavari chairs.)

3.) Not offering tables and chairs was almost an equal deal breaker

4.) If the bathrooms looked really crummy. (Some venues have porta-potties smh)

5.) Hideous decor (this should be a no brainer, but a lot of more original venues used art that not everyone would find appeasing. If you're going to have a fully decorated venue, please choose neutral decor.)

6.) Running more than one wedding in a day.

7.) No parking/parking options (like rent a-lot)

8.) Not replying to emails/calls in a timely manner. Best business is to give some sort of reply within a few hours, and an official reply within 1 day IMO.

9.) Offering 4-6 hour time blocks and making couples pay for additional hours. That is ridiculous. Offer the venue in 24 hour time blocks. More than likely the couple will need a few hours before to decorate, and some time after for the clean up crew. Even more desirable is a day before and the day of.

Some things that aren't deal breakers but are nice add ons

1.) Offering an event coordinator for each wedding

2.) Discounts for off-season dates/military/etc.,

3.) A list of preferred vendors (which you'll get after working several weddings)

4.) Post prices online. I understand why vendors don't do this, but brides and grooms know their budget. So just lay it all out and be up front so no one has to clog up their email emailing a million people just to get pricing.

I'm sure there are more, but that is all I can think of right now.

Forgot the refrigerator, lol.....

Thank you to everyone who responded. This is so helpful!