Once the wedding and reception are over, the wedding venue management is required to give you a written invoice. This must include the following information:

• The name and physical address of the wedding venue
• A list of all services and amenities purchased or included in the package, including audio/visual equipment, stage, clean-up, set up, decorations, etc.
• An itemized list of each service and amenity that is included in the package
• An itemized list of the cost of each service and amenity that is not included in the package
• The total banquet hall and reception venue cost

There are many different types of wedding & events venues in Sonoma County. The following are the most familiar types of local wedding & events venues.

Museums
This is a building that houses objects of historical, artistic, cultural, or scientific interest for the purpose of exhibition.

Ballrooms
This is a large room that is used for social dancing.

Vineyard/Winery
This is a plantation of grapevines that are typically used to produce grapes used in winemaking.

Botanical Gardens
This is an establishment where plants are grown for display and then opened up for the public to view.

Spas
This is a resort that has a mineral spring that is claimed to have health-giving properties.

Beach Locations
This is the shoreline of an ocean or large body of water.

Conference Centers
This is a center that hosts conferences which are typically large, formal meetings.

Art Galleries
This is a large room or a series of rooms where works of art are displayed.

Bed and Breakfasts
This is a guest house or small hotel that provides sleeping accommodations with a morning meal for paying guests.

Reception Halls
This is a large room in a hotel, private house, or a resort that is used for the purpose of gatherings or parties.

Below are key wedding & events venue terms and descriptions that will help you navigate your way through your wedding venue experience from beginning to end.

black tie event services
These are services provided for a formal event that has a formal dress code. A formal dress code requires a tuxedo or a formal dress.

boat clubs/yacht clubs
This is a club that promotes and supports boating and yachting.

buffet catering
This a catering service that provides a meal that consists of several dishes comprised of salads, entrees, and desserts from which guests serve themselves.

Also known as: catering ideas, catering, wedding buffet catering, buffet style catering, buffet catering menu, buffet caterers, Chinese catering, food caterer, wedding reception catering, cheap wedding catering

casinos
This is a public building or room where gambling games are played.

Also known as: catering, catering ideas, buffet style catering, wedding buffet catering, buffet catering menu, buffet caterers, food caterers, wedding reception catering, cheap wedding catering, caterers

champagne service
This is a service that provides champagne. Champagne is a white sparkling wine that is often served at celebrations such as wedding receptions.

cocktail bar service
This is a service that provides cocktails at a bar. A cocktail is an alcoholic mixed drink.

Also known as: mobile bartending services, mobile bar, bartending services, mobile service bar, food service companies, mobile bar service, bar services, mobile bartending, mobile bartending service, wedding bar, bartending service, food service suppliers

custom menu selection
This is a process of choosing your own menu from a list of foods that will be prepared by a catering service.

dance floor rental & services
This is a reference to the rental of a dance floor which is an uncarpeted floor reserved for dancing.

Also known as: dance floor rentals, dance floor rental prices, outdoor dance floor rental, light up dance floor rental, dancing floor rental, portable dance floor rental prices, rent a dance floor, portable dance floor rental, dance floors rentals

dessert catering
This is the service of catering desserts for a special event such as a wedding reception.

Also known as: dessert catering business, catering, catering desserts, catering ideas, caterers, breakfast catering, dessert bar catering, catering prices, catering menus, catering services, catering dessert ideas

event planning services
These are services that help you plan a special event such as a wedding, a reception, an anniversary party, etc. Event planning services consider all aspects of the event so you don’t have to.

Also known as: event planning, event planning companies, event planning company, event planning service, corporate event planning services, event planning firms, event planning courses, event planning agencies, corporate event planning, contract for event planning services, event planners

event set-up and clean-up
This is a service that sets up for an event and then cleans up after the event is finished.

floral services
This is a service that provides fresh or artificial flowers. A floral service arranges and delivers flowers.

Also known as: floral wire services, flower delivery, flowers online, flowers arrangements, send flowers, floral delivery services, flowers delivery, mothers day flowers, flower shops, florist, florists, online flowers, flower shop, sending flowers, floral arrangements

food preparation
This is a reference to preparing the food for an event. Food preparation is often done by a catering service for a wedding reception.

Also known as: food preparation safety, food preparation courses, raw food preparation, disposable food preparation gloves, kitchen utensils list, food preparation certification, food preparation techniques

full-service catering
This is a service that provides a full staff to take care of a meal and all that entails such as the purchase the food, preparing the food, and serving the food, at an event such as a wedding reception.

Also known as: full service catering, full service caterers, full service caterer, wedding catering, catering prices, catering companies, cheap catering, breakfast catering, full catering service, corporate catering, wedding caterers

historic buildings
These are buildings that have been preserved from a past time or culture.

hors de oeuvres service
This is a service that provides small appetizers that are served both warm and cold.

hotels/inns
This is an establishment that provides accommodations, meals, and other services for paying guests.

Also known as: hotels inns, hotel inns, hotel inn express, hotels and inns

indoor & outdoor seating
This is seating for guests indoors as well as outside.

Also known as: outdoor seating, patio sets, outdoor restaurant seating, outdoor cushions, restaurant seating, outdoor seating cushions, outdoor bistro sets, outdoor chairs, outdoor patio, restaurant chairs, restaurant furniture, plastic patio table

limousine service/transportation services
This is a service that provides transportation for VIPs in luxury vehicles such as limousines.

Also known as: limousine services, limousine service prices, airport limousine service, global transportation services, transportation service, international transportation services,

photography & video services
This is a reference to professional and high end digital photography and high definition video services that are hired out for events such as weddings.

Also known as: photography and video services, photographer and videographer, photography services, photography and videography packages, videographer and photographer, photography videography, wedding video services, wedding photography and video, wedding videographer, professional photographers, video photography

resorts
This is a popular destination for vacations or recreation that includes lodging and other services such as dining as well as options for entertainment such as skiing, diving, etc.. There are many types of resorts such as luxury resorts, vacation resorts, or all-inclusive resorts.

Also known as: luxury resorts, resort, vacation resorts, all inclusive resort, dreams resorts, spa resort

restaurants
This is a place where people place to eat meals. There are many different types of restaurants that offer different types of cuisine such as Mexican, Italian, Greek, etc.

retreats
This is a place people go in order to withdraw from regular life for a period of time for seclusion, solitude, or socialization with a particular group of people for a unique purpose such as prayer, meditation, or renewal of health.

Also known as: spiritual retreats, meditation retreat, silent retreat, wellness retreat, yoga retreat, health spa retreats, yoga retreat

sound system services
This is a service that provides a set of equipment for the reproduction and amplification of sound at a special event such as a wedding or a reception.

Also known as: sound system rental, portable sound system, sound rental, portable sound systems, surround sound systems, sound systems rental, rent sound systems, pa sound systems, system sound services, concert sound system, sound system rentals, portable pa system, audio equipment

theme night event services
This is a service that provides everything you need to make your event that is centered around a particular theme such as an era in time successful.

Also known as: event planning services, event planners, corporate event planning, event planning companies, event themes, corporate event planning services, corporate event services, themes for events, event production, party themes, event designers, party service, event coordinators

valet parking services
This is a service that is provided whereby an attendant parks and retrieves patrons’ vehicles.

Also known as: valet parking service, valet parking, valet park, valet parking jobs, valet parking games, valet parking tips, valet services, valet parking companies

venue decorating
This is a reference to decorating a place where an event such as a wedding or a reception takes place.

Also known as: wedding venue decorations, table decorations, venue decorations, venue decoration, wedding venue decoration ideas, wedding table decorations, table decorations for wedding, wedding venues decorations, wedding venue decoration, wedding venue décor, wedding decorating ideas

wine tasting
This is an event at which people taste and compare several different wines.

Zoos
This is an establishment that maintains a collection of wild animals. Zoos are often in a natural setting such as a park or garden.

A: Diamond Certified helps you choose a wedding & events venue with confidence by offering a list of top-rated local companies who have passed the country’s most in-depth rating process. Only wedding & events venues rated Highest in Quality earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award. Most companies can’t pass the ratings. American Ratings Corporation also monitors every Diamond Certified company with ongoing research and ratings. And your purchase is backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee. So you’ll feel confident choosing a Diamond Certified wedding & events venue.

Q: How far out do I have to book a wedding venue?
A: This depends on the availability of your particular book. Typically, it is wise to book approximately nine months in advance. Sometimes a wedding can be booked as little as six weeks out.

Q: Is a wedding & events venue environmentally friendly?
A: This depends on your wedding venue of choice. Some venues do have a green wedding package which means they recycle and compost almost all of the wedding related garbage. This includes flowers, paper products, and food. They also strive to use non-disposable products as much as possible.

Q: How much does it cost to hold a wedding at a wedding & events venue?
A: This depends on what services you want as there are various packages available. The price usually depends on the time of day, the day of the week, and the day of the year.

Q: What does it mean if a wedding venue claims to be “exclusive”?
A: That means that your party is the only party being hosted by the wedding venue on the day you have booked your wedding. The staff will be completely focused on your wedding in order to make it everything you want it to be. You will have the privacy and personal attention you need.

Q: How does an open bar at a wedding & events venue operate?
A: If you choose to have an open bar at your wedding reception, you place a certain amount on the bar for your guests. For example, you may choose to pay $600 for your guests to have as a tab at the bar. Then if your guests consume $525 in liquor, the wedding venue will refund your remaining $75 dollars.

Q: Will the wedding & events venue charge for the rental of tables, linens, and chairs?
A: This depends on the package that you purchase. Often tables, linens and chairs are priced individually, so the more guests you have, the more expensive the cost overall. When you rent the chairs, tables, and linens from the wedding venue, the delivery, set up and pickup are all included.

Q: What does a wedding venue charge for rental?
A: Wedding venues typically offer several different packages that offer different services and amenities. It depends, therefore, on the package you choose. Usually pricing depends on several factors: the time of day, the day of the week, and the day of the year.

Q: Am I required to put down a deposit when I sign the contract for the wedding venue rental?
A: A requirement of most banquet halls is a deposit in order to ensure that it will be available when you need it. There are usually different options available for the remainder of the payment; however, it is typically due in fall on the day of the banquet unless you make other arrangements with the management.

Q: Will I be able to bring my own liquor into the wedding venue on the day of my wedding?
A: A wedding and reception venue must have a liquor license in order to serve liquor. For this reason, you may not bring in outside liquor.

Q: What are the limitations regarding the type of décor I set up in the wedding & events venue?
A: Most wedding venues do not allow you to use nails or tacks in the walls. However, you can typically use tape if it is needed.

Q: If the wedding venue I have booked offers catering, can I customize the menu?
A: If catering is an option at the wedding venue you are renting, they usually offer the option of customizing the menu. Most catering services at wedding venues provide a number of cuisines, including Chinese, vegetarian, Japanese, Indian, vegan, and many others.

Q: Do I have to work with the preferred vendors that the wedding venues recommend, or can I work with any vendor of choice?
A: Most wedding & events venues allow you to work with any vendor of choice even though they do have vendors that they highly recommend.