When you think of banquet halls, you probably imagine a classic, stylish, and elegant event space suitable for everything, from weddings, rehearsal dinners, and private parties to business meetings and other corporate events. Whatever party you throw, it's ready to welcome everyone. Keep reading to know whether a banquet hall is the perfect setting for your next gathering and how to make it better for the host and guests.
You probably already have a long list of events in mind that goes well with a banquet hall. That's not surprising at all, considering how flexible and easy it is to decorate this event venue and design it to align with your objectives and creative vision. Here are a few common and special events to host in a banquet hall.
Birthday Party
Forget about those confined living rooms with limited space to move around. With function halls, you have enough room to set up multiple chairs and tables for the birthday party and even a dance floor for hours of swaying and grooving to the music.
Wedding Reception
Dance with the love of your life in the middle of a luxurious banquet hall with a cascading chandelier sparkling above you. It can also double as your wedding venue, or you can combine a ceremony and reception to tie the knot and party in a sophisticated setting.
Baby Gender Reveal
Gather your closest friends and family to do the big reveal in a beautifully decorated banquet hall. You don’t have to worry about food, AV services, and staffing because your venue has everything covered. Some banquet halls even feature a bar service and have an in-house chef to help you plan the meal for parents-to-be and their guests.
Graduation Party
You’ve finally reached the finish line after years of studies and hard work, so it’s time to party. And what better way to celebrate this amazing achievement than gathering with the people who have been part of your journey in a beautiful banquet hall? You can create a presentation, highlighting the key moments in the graduate’s life at school.
Conference
Host your conference or business meeting in a grand ballroom or function hall to impress attendees and leave a lasting impression. Modern function halls have advanced audiovisual technology, experienced staff, ample parking, and are easily accessible via public transportation.
Whether it's a milestone celebration or a private event, finding the right venue can make all the difference, so be sure you know what you're looking for to make an informed decision.
Capacity
Your guests’ comfort must be high on your priorities list to consider the hall’s capacity and size. It should be able to accommodate the number of guests you invite and have ample space for socializing and activities like dancing or games.
Amenities
Does it have enough parking space, AV equipment, bathrooms, and air conditioning? Do they offer an in-house catering service, event planner, and decorator, or can you bring outside vendors and suppliers? Arrange site visits and ask the manager or owner these questions to help you determine whether or not you should book the place.
Accessibility
Look for a function hall in an accessible location near hotels, restaurants, and shops. It should also be easy to reach via car or public transportation. Consider the attendees' age and accessibility requirements. If there are no parking facilities at the site, check for nearby street parking guests can use.
Interior Décor
Some banquet halls already have gorgeous interior designs and features and don't need intricate decor pieces to improve their look and feel. You'll also find other event venues that are like a blank canvas—it's up to you how you want to transform it into your dream event space. The choice is yours whether you want to opt for an event center that requires less effort to decorate or one that gives you the freedom to be creative.
Even if you choose a banquet hall with a thoughtfully curated interior, you can still make it better. Consider these creative ideas to bring your event to the next level.
Entertainment
Despite everything not going your way, it's still a perfect event if you achieve your goals and the guests leave happy and satisfied. One way to please attendees is by booking the right entertainment. Invite a live band, a soloist, a DJ, or a magician to get the crowd engaged throughout the celebration.
Open Bar
Let everyone enjoy unlimited drinks at your banquet hall party. Instead of going to a separate bar location, bring it into the event venue for guests to get their favorite drinks, including specialty cocktails and alcohol-free beverages. An open bar also gets people up and out of their seats to mingle and meet others.
Savory Food
Now that you have the drinks sorted, it's time to plan for food. A banquet hall with on-site catering is a major plus, but if they don't have this additional service, find a chef or a local caterer to serve tasty dishes.
Unique Furniture
Most event spaces like banquet halls provide seating, but a special occasion like a wedding, anniversary, or baby shower calls for one-of-a-kind furniture pieces. Rent retro or lounge furniture for added personality, style, and sophistication.
Instant Photo Station
Gone are the days when you have to wait for hours or even days before a photo can be developed and delivered to you. With photo booths and instant photo stations you can rent, it's now easy and quick to snap photos and get printed copies in seconds.
Organizing a successful gathering is a team effort—you can't do it on your own, no matter how experienced you may be in event planning. You must have the right people on your side to assist you during the process.
Equipment Supplier
We tend to forget how many materials, equipment, and supplies are needed for one occasion. Instead of buying expensive sound systems or additional furniture you'll rarely use, rent from an equipment rental supplier to get those much-needed items at a fraction of the cost.
Event Planner
Connect with professional planners—they're your best allies who will do everything to lift the burden off your shoulders. From contacting vendors and suppliers to coordinating activities, they have the know-how and experience to create your dream celebration.
DJ/Live Band
Get everyone on the dance floor with a DJ or hire a live band for endless music in the background. When debating whether to book a DJ or a live band, think about what's best for your special event. Both options are entertaining, but each one brings a different vibe and energy.
Caterer
Quality food and drinks are a must for events, but the question is, what type of food and beverages will you offer? Is it a sit-down dinner, a buffet style, or a food truck to be set up outside the banquet hall? Consider your event type and what atmosphere you're trying to create.
Decorator
A decorator is your creative partner who will help bring your vision to life. Discuss the theme and decor elements you want to be included for an unforgettable party.
Some people wait until the last minute to rent a banquet hall. But don't make the same mistake to reap the benefits of booking the perfect venue for your next event.
Availability
Sought-after event venues like banquet halls book up quickly, especially during the holidays, summer, or travel season. If you wait until closer to your target event date, you might miss out on your desired party space.
Efficient Planning
The sooner you secure the banquet hall, the more time you have to prepare and set everything up. Also, since the venue determines many aspects of the event, early booking will help you avoid last-minute issues and confusion.
Substantial Savings
They say, “Early bird catches the worm,” and when it comes to event planning, early birds get the best deals and pricing. Many banquet halls take reservations six months or a year in advance. When you do so, you lock in the rental fee at the price charged during your reservation, which can increase later. But the increased price won’t affect you at all, and you might enjoy great deals and discounts.
Better Attendance
When you reserve the banquet hall for your event far enough in advance, you can send the invitations quickly and early as well. This allows your expected attendees to arrange their schedules and be there for the party or corporate gathering.
More Venue Options
The more options you have, the higher your chances to snag your ideal banquet hall and achieve better results. Therefore, start looking at potential venues early so you can take your time researching different locations and comparing prices.
Are you planning a destination wedding or organizing a fun celebration but unsure which city to pick for your next party? We'll make it easy for you by listing our top favorites.
San Diego, California
With year-round sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and a bustling downtown area, what's not to love about America's Finest City? Besides the grand banquet halls and wedding venues, San Diego takes pride in its nightlife scene and unconventional party spots that double as event spaces for any occasion.
Miami Beach, Florida
Like San Diego, Miami Beach boasts turquoise waters and sandy beaches, which make picturesque outdoor spaces for romantic weddings, parties, and get-togethers. You'll also fall in love with its historic sites and buildings in Art Deco style, mostly found in its Art Deco Historic District.
Atlanta, Georgia
When you search for the top U.S. cities for business meetings and events, you'll always find Atlanta on the list. Its compact and walkable convention and entertainment district makes it easy to find venues within a short walking distance from each other, such as chic rooftop bars and lounges, classy banquet halls, hotels, and converted warehouses.
Simplify your venue search with Giggster and book the perfect banquet hall for your corporate event or lavish social affair. You don't even have to go far because, in just a few clicks, you’ll discover and explore many unique venues and cozy spaces to tie the knot, dance all night, and celebrate.