If you’ve ever considered getting married at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, you’ve probably met Michael, the fabulous Director of Catering. Chances are, you visited the hotel to look at the ballroom, and you left wanting to be best friends with Michael. He’s just that amazing. And Erich, well, if you’re really lucky, you got to meet Erich, the Director of Business Development. Erich is just as wonderful. Together, they are one heck of a duo!
And they are here to tell us all of their secrets about having your reception at a luxury hotel…
What are the advantages of having a wedding at a luxury hotel?
From Michael…
The biggest advantage of having a wedding at a luxury hotel is that luxury hotels have become a one-stop-shop. There are several “moving parts” to a wedding and it takes an effective team to orchestrate a successful and memorable wedding. They have personnel who specialize in weddings and special events and some luxury hotels have a person who does weddings, solely. Luxury hotels such as Mandarin Oriental have relationships with different top notch vendors who will make sure that your wedding is perfect. Further, there are different venues within the hotel where one can create different environments and “feel.”
Hotels also provide accommodations for bridal guests.
From Erich…
Luxury is not simply ‘the finer things in life’; luxury is more often quantified as service and getting what you want when you want it. Your wedding day has so many moving parts it is best to work with a venue that has the reputation and resources to move mountains. More often than not, it is the Luxury Hotels that have the contacts and resources to make incredible things happen. Mandarin Oriental’s heritage is defined by its service and our commitment to simply delight and satisfy our guests.
When looking at different venues, particularly hotels, what should a couple consider?
From Michael…
It is important that the couple consider the quality of product and service the hotel offers. Different hotels cater to different clienteles…. If you’re planning a conference or a meeting, a convention hotel is suitable. When planning such an important event as a wedding, a luxury hotel is the way to go. It is also essential that the couple is comfortable with the catering/event manager they will be working with. There should be rapport, and trust between the couple and the planner.
The style of the hotel is also important to consider as it should reflect the couple’s different personalities and style.
From Erich…
Each couple is unique and therefore each wedding should also be unique. Ordering the ‘Platinum Package’ at a wedding hall is absolutely the right thing for some couples; everything one thinks is needed is right there in the package. But a wedding is much more than a five hour dinner party; it is a once in a lifetime experience that launches a couple’s life together. It should be filled with personal touches and tell a story. A couple should also consider their guests and what means is necessary to participate in their wedding, IE: a destination wedding in an exotic location may sound like a great idea, but an elderly family member of friends with limited means may not be able to travel and that can cause some uncomfortable moments. The best advice is use common sense, plan the event together with your partner, and know that you can not do it alone; your partner, close family members and friends will definitely lends the moral support you will need and can be asked to contribute in small ways. Venues like Mandarin Oriental offer complete wedding design services and day of supervision, so you have the support, imagination, and true caring built into the experience; relax and really enjoy your day.
How do costs break down when having an event at a hotel (f/b min, etc.)?
From Michael…
Food and beverage minimums vary and depend on the space needed for the size of the wedding. Most hotels have wedding packages that include the cocktail hour, dinner reception and bar service. Some hotels charge room rental and/or ceremony fee in addition to the food and beverage minimum. Be aware that wedding packages rarely include taxes, services charges, and incidentals, so take those expenses into consideration when preparing your budget. Find a hotel that wants to be your partner and not just sell you unnecessary frills… You will be able to tell who genuinely wants to make your dreams come true versus those who are just making a sale during your first interaction… Trust your judgment.
From Erich…
Most hotels utilize a Food and Beverage minimum model. That is, in order to utilize the space/ballroom, you must meet this minimum. Be ware that this figure rarely includes taxes, service charges, or other incidentals, so take those expenses into consideration when preparing your budget. There is rarely a fee to use the actual space in a hotel unlike museums, mansions, or non-traditional venues. Find a hotel that wants to be your partner and not just sell you unnecessary frills. You will know who genuinely wants to make your dreams come true vs. someone making a sale during your first interaction. Trust your judgment.
Where is there room for negotiating?
From Michael…
The per person/package price can be adjusted depending on the season. A couple can also negotiate on room rental and ceremony fee as well as sleeping room rates. Some hotels also include complimentary room(s) or upgrades when you block or pick up a certain number of sleeping rooms. Another way of negotiating is choosing an off season date; August has become very popular among wedding couples because hotels are more readily to lower food and beverage packages and sleeping rooms. Remember that negotiating is two-sided … The couple should be willing to make adjustments as well.
From Erich…
There are definitely ways to save money using a hotel. Selecting an off season date or a different time of day are two very easy ways to get the food and beverage minimum down, but you must also be willing to make sacrifices and not expect a venue to simply lower the price of the food and beverage. You must remember that these are businesses and in order to provide you with the service and product you expect, there are certain costs. Most importantly, be flexible and be sure the negotiation is two sided; never be afraid to ask questions.
If a couple chooses to have their wedding at a hotel, will their guests get a break on the sleeping room rates?
From Michael…
Yes. Sleeping room rates vary and will depend on the time of the year or how busy the city is. Hotels offer a discounted group rate for room blocks of at least 10 sleeping rooms. A contract is usually drawn for the couple and a cut-off date to pick up the rooms is established. It is important to explain your needs to the hotel sales staff and they will guide you to the right type of room block… In most cases, concessions are offered based on consumption. For example: picking up 50 rooms entitles you to 1 complimentary room.
From Erich…
Hotels are generally very generous with discounted sleeping room rates for your out of town guests. Guaranteeing a certain amount of overnight accommodations offers greater leverage to you when you are asking for a lower revenue minimum; the overall revenue to the hotel is increased and it gives the hotel more flexibility. But these rooms nights must be guaranteed in order to use that leverage. You can also negotiate a lower rate for your guests without the guarantee, but this type of agreement will come with up to a six week cut off booking date, which may be inconvenient to your guests. Be sure to have at least two options of accommodations within close proximity to the hotel so that all of your guests have a comfortable price point. The best thing to do is explain your needs to the hotel sales staff and they will guide you to the right type of room block to suit your needs as well as make recommendations at neighboring facilities.
THANKS, you two! You are the best. Thanks for sharing your insight with us! Here are a few pictures of a recent wedding held at the Mandarin…a little Friday afternoon eye-candy…
Check back in an hour to hear from David, the leader of the ridiculously entertaining band, the Fabulous Fantoms!
Photos: Freed Photography
