You’ve been asked to book a venue on the Gold Coast for a conference dinner. A friend is getting married and you need the hen’s night. It’s a family gathering, a fundraiser, or a birthday party and it falls on you. It’s only natural to want your function to be perfect. But where do you start? You’ve never done this before. You’re not a professional event planner.

Making sure you get the right venue is a critical step in organising your special event. So how do go about it?

Our team at Sage are happy to help. Here are five simple steps to consider when choosing the best restaurant for your next event.

1. Get some recommendations

This is not about who has the best advertising, but who has clients that are raving about their service. Check out online reviews and ask people you know. It may be a friend or a work colleague, get some trusted recommendations that will help you narrow the field. By the way, make sure you don’t ignore the bad reviews.

2. Check out the venue

Just as there is no such thing as a one size fits all T-shirt, there is no such thing as the all-purpose venue. Arrange a time to look at the venue and consider things like your specific event needs, the size of your group, the cleanliness of the venue, parking or transport options as well the professionalism of the staff.

3. Meet your caterer

Get to know the person who you are entrusting with your event. Look for things like how professional they are and how responsive they are to your specific needs. You may want to ask about their experience and ideas for your particular kind of event. Don’t assume that the person you are meeting will be at your event, so find out their role in the organisation and their involvement in the actual running of your event.

4. Get a quote

Sounds obvious, but it’s important to get a break-down of costs and know exactly what you are paying. It’s important to know what drinks, if any, are included? What are the extra charges if the event goes late? Whilst function venues often charge a ‘per head’ rate, ask for a comprehensive estimate of any additional charges which might crop up. Nobody likes unexpected charges at the end of the event.

Here at Sage Café Restaurant, we take pride in catering for special events here on the Gold Coast. Our venue can comfortably seat up to 150 people and we have function menus to suit a wide range of budgets. Why not come in for a look at our venue and allow us to sit down with you and help plan your next perfect event. Alternatively, email our function planner on justine@sagerestaurant.com.au or give us a call, ph.: 07 5538 9938 to discuss your function requirements.