If you own a restaurant and are looking to add more revenue for your business it could be worth expanding into the world of wedding venues! The wedding industry is a stable and lucrative industry with couples spending an average of $30K on a wedding in 2022. A restaurant can be the perfect venue for more couples who want to prioritize their food options and don’t want to pay extra for a caterer. Here are 5 tips to make your restaurant an attractive venue for a wedding.
Private Dining Room
Having a Private Dining Room (or a PDR as it’s known in the industry) is a great idea for larger restaurants. Not only can you appeal to couples planning a wedding, but anyone planning an event, from birthday parties to business luncheons. This is a great option for smaller weddings where renting out the entire restaurant may not be practical. Using tables with a flip-top mechanism is a great way to store extra tables to create more space, or you can add cocktail tables with lightweight trade show bases, such as our TS28. Using a mix of overhead and mood lighting in your dining rooms, such as string lights, votive candles, or lanterns, can help create a dreamy atmosphere! Scenic patios can also make for a beautiful location while separating a wedding from the rest of the restaurant.
Full Bar & Mixologist
A bar that serves wine, beer & liquor with the opportunity for an open bar can be very appealing as a wedding venue! If you have a mixologist on staff, you can prepare a menu of specialty cocktails for couples to choose from, or even fun seasonal drink options. Having unique bar ware available for events is perfect for those fun Instagram moments!
Quality Table Settings
Investing in quality linens and flatware, banquet tables, and elegant chairs is another way to appeal to shopping couples! Renting everything from tables and chairs to the flatware, glassware and plates can be a hidden cost that surprises many couples, but when you have these items at the ready your restaurant can be more appealing, freeing up more of the budget for food and drink options, or decorations.
Space for Music & Dancing
If you have the floor space available a stage for a live band is a great addition, and your restaurant can enjoy live music the rest of the year as well. Another less permanent addition can be a removable dance floor for guests to groove on after a few signature cocktails! If you don’t plan to invest in a sound system for your venue make sure you have plenty of electrical outlets and space to run wires so DJs and musicians can easily set up.
Connections to Local Vendors
Network with local vendors! It can be handy if you have a list of bakers, florists, photographers, entertainment, or decorators you can vouch for at the ready that you can recommend to the couple, and you might even get a kickback for your referral! Create a binder with the names of local vendors as well as photos of their work. Laminating the pages is a simple way to give your binder a professional look (while also making it more durable).
Transforming your restaurant into a charming wedding venue requires a few strategic investments, but over time these expenses can pay for themselves! In addition to big ticket weddings your restaurant will also be able to book other events, such as birthdays, corporate mixers and holiday parties. By opening as a venue your restaurant can have the opportunity to bring in customers that may not find you otherwise. Don’t worry too much about how your restaurant differs from other venues. Couples and other party goers are coming to you for your delicious food and the vibe you already have!
