Reception Venues - Hotel

A popular reception venue for a large wedding is a hotel. Many hotels have several large ballrooms that can accommodate small or big weddings. Like a one stop shop, hotels offer many services for your wedding - catering, wedding cake, audio-visual equipment and an engineer for your photo slideshow or video, flower arrangements or centerpieces for each guest table, and accommodations. Some hotels can even host your ceremony so you can have your ceremony and reception all in one place.

Some things to keep in mind is that since many large hotels have several ballrooms, they can host multiple weddings and events at the same time and on the same day. You may not be the only wedding they are catering to. Also, since hotels are almost like a public place, with many people passing through, uninvited guests may be able to slip through. This happened at a wedding I worked as the wedding videographer. Since it was a big wedding, at the time, no one knew whether or not this person was really an invited guest. He was able to sit through the dinner and eat a free meal. Later I found out that he was an invited guest.

If you are considering having your wedding reception at a hotel, be prepared to budget at least $100 per guest. This is an estimate. Prices will vary depending on hotel. It might seem like a lot but many services are included in the price. And if you spend your wedding night at the hotel after your reception, you will save on limousine costs.

Hotels in the San Francisco Bay Area to consider:

The Sheraton in Palo Alto Hotel features a Koi garden and outdoor location for a ceremony. Their main ballroom, Justine's ballroom, has a skylight that lets in warm, natural light. It looks amazing in photos and video. Ceremonies can be held in this ballroom as well.

Wedding ceremonies and receptions can also be held at the Marriott in San Mateo. They have an outdoor area with a gazebo for ceremonies. The Marriott in San Mateo is easily accessible from the freeway.