The question we field more than any other is simply: how early? The honest answer depends on the day of the week you want and the size of your guest list, but there is a pattern worth knowing before you start ringing venues.
Saturdays book first, and they book early
Saturday evenings are the first slots to go at almost every function centre in the Inner West, and Aiden Palace is no different. For a Saturday wedding reception between March and May, or September through November, we recommend enquiring nine to twelve months ahead. Those two windows carry the mildest weather and the heaviest demand.
Fridays and Sundays are a different story. Six months is usually comfortable, and we have had beautiful Sunday receptions come together in eight weeks when a family was flexible about the menu.
The families who get exactly the date they wanted are almost never the ones who booked fastest. They are the ones who enquired earliest and then took their time deciding.
What actually holds a date
An enquiry does not hold anything. A date is secured when a deposit is paid and you have a written quote confirming the package, the guest count and the inclusions. Until then the day stays open to whoever confirms first.
Before you call
- Two or three candidate dates, in order of preference
- A rough guest number — within about twenty is fine
- Whether you want catering included or plan to bring your own
- Any cultural or dietary requirements that affect the menu or the floor plan
Seasonal demand at a glance
| Period | Demand | Suggested lead time |
|---|---|---|
| March – May | Very high | 9–12 months |
| June – August | Moderate | 4–6 months |
| September – November | Very high | 9–12 months |
| December – February | High (parties) | 6–8 months |
If your date is already close
Call anyway. Cancellations happen, and midweek and Sunday slots open up far more often than people assume. We would rather tell you honestly that a date has gone than have you not ask.
