This is probably more for the brides around West/North Yorkshire but I'm sure I can help everyone out.
I spent years in catering and have worked at more wedding venues than I care to remember spanning budgets from the sublime to the ridiculous, so if you ladies are looking at venues in this area chances are I've worked at them!
Also, I have a heap of inside information on how hotels work and how to haggle the best deals for what you want.

If anyone needs any friendly help in choosing a venue then please feel free to ask. Plus I'm a trained chef so good for stuff like menu planning.

I just wanted to give something back to you fabulous ladies who have helped me get through a really rubbish week.
Much love xxx

That is lovely hun im sure plenty of ladies will be taking you up on that offer x x

I know the venues are a big thing, and if I can help then I'd love to. I'm a sweetie really lol

hails - depends on how much of an a ss the head chef is but they will allow you a vegetarian alternative, but giving your guests a choice usually ends up being a disaster! People forget what they ordered, even if it's only 2 dishes, then you get guests who ordered say chicken, then they see the say fish alternative and say 'can we change?' This then leads to poor waiting staff getting yelled at and told to get back out there and tell them to s od off :P (seriously, happened to my team more than once!!)
A chicken dish tends to be safe as 99% of people will happily eat it, I'd stay away from things like lamb and fish as they're not very popular.
I'd be naughty and put on your invites they can choose between meat dish and a vegetarian dish but they must let you know before the RSVP date, then go to the venue and say "we've got 15 vegetarians coming" if they are told in advance then legally they have to oblige the request ;)
If they do say no to a choice then pick the safest option!

I'm glad they'll accomodate the children :)

I'm just on my way out of the door sweetheart - I'll drop off a friend request with you and once I'm back tonight I'll talk to you about it properly xxx

Right, I'm back!

The best thing to do re haggling venues (this could help a few other ladies too)
Get your best idea of numbers then go on a scout for packages in local hotels, you'll find for smaller weddings - between 35 & 50 - most places have an 'all inclusive package' These include a civil ceremony, wedding breakfast which includes welcome drinks and a glass of wine with the meal PLUS sparkling wine/cava for the toast, evening buffet (but you're allowed more people for the evening, normally around 30 extra) DJ, compimentary bed & breakfast for the bride & groom. You can add more guests at a supplementary fee, this can be between £7.50 and £15 per head so make sure you know what the supplement charge is!
GET WRITTEN QUOTES! This bit is important to the haggling process!!

Then it's a game of playing the hotels off against each other. They're all desperate to get your business ESPECIALLY in this financial climate.
So at the moment the Cedar Court chain are offering an all in package for £2200........you then go to The Hilton and say "This is what they'll do for me, what can you do?" They will then give you a reduction on their package. You then take both quotes to another hotel and say "This is what they will do, what will you do?" and so on and so forth.
The same works with independent hotels such as Rudding Park, Ripley Castle, The Parsonage etc but whatever you do, don't take the chain hotel quotes to the independents because you'll get laughed out!!
The end result is you will get the venue you want at a reduced rate - happy days :)

If going to a hotel only use the wedding co-ordinator as your first port of call, deal with the head of Conference and Banqueting after that, they know the system much better and they can help the haggling process!
If you're given a wedding menu ask if it's possible to use the retaurant menu instead - wedding plates are on average double the price of the restaurant plates. As we're all learning, you mention the word wedding and everything from DJs to flowers to hair and make up is marked up by epic proportions - hotels are the same!
If there is a bar facility then don't be conned into buying the alcohol for your guests yourself but it helps to grease the wheels to have a welcome drinks package OR pay for the wine for the meal, say a glass per person.
It's a case of being savvy and not letting them push you into having a load of stuff you don't actually want.
Normally as a goodwill gesture they will offer the bridal suite at a reduced price, tell them so-and-so will do it free (only if they will though) and BINGO - you've got a bridal suite gratis :)

Independent venues such as racecourses & football grounds are a little bit easier to haggle - again, get your quotes for room hire, then go get quotes from outside caterers.
These venues have in-house catering which naturally they offer - don't do it! You're looking at a minimum of £50 a head for food alone, drinks on top as they're independent parts of the venue. The food tends to be second grade quality and by the end of the meal you wish you'd done it yourself at home, even at places like Old Trafford, Headingley Stadium and York Racecourse!
Normally these venues will allow you to bring in your own caterers but you have to push like mad before they'll buckle. Don't take the first no as an answer!
And as they all have bars you can get away with only buying minimal drinks for your guests!
With racecourses though - if you are indeed affluent enough to have your reception at Ascot or Aintree the food is second to none, I miss my days of being fed by them hehehe

My best advice is this - go in prepared and knowing exactly what you want, stick to your guns and push like anything to get it! Don't deal with the monkies, speak to the organ grinder! You'll end up getting the best possible deal in the exact place you want!

As for pubs - you say 'wedding' they ask 'how high?' Most pubs will shut their restaurants to the public for a wedding party because they know damn well that a wedding is going to bring them more money than regular trade - what they may lose in food (as they do) they more than make up for in alcohol sales!

xxx

ok hun, thats great thank you... will message my email to your wall x

No probs thank you xxx

I'm a handy person to have around really hehehe
Was considering a new career in Wedding planning just for the fun of it :D xxx

Do you know, I was seriously thinking about this earlier. Once the baby's been born and the majority of my planning is over I might just go into business with it :) xxx