You have your date, you have your ring and you are shopping for your dress. Next on your list is the reception location. All aspects of your reception can be altered, customized and added to.
Some of the questions you should ask your caterer is how many other events will be on the same day as yours. If there are few, then you have the power of negotiation. The more money you are spending for your reception the more negotiating power you will have because event managers are driven by the money they will make. Maybe you are having a few components of your wedding at this location. The rehearsal dinner, ceremony and the gift opening can all be at the same place and this will be taken into considerate by the sales personnel.
How about freebies or perks? Keep in mind that virtually everything is negotiable at a reception venue and if you don’t ask for it, you can’t get it. All they can do is say no. By all means be professional, courteous and make new friends with your event coordinator. If you all get along, the more likely you will benefit from the whole event.