You Found The Dream Wedding Venue.. Now What??

All Venues Are Different. What You Need To Know Before You Put Down Your Deposit

So, you have just found the ideal wedding venue for your big day and you now want to lock in your booking. This is the standard operating procedure for every bride and groom, but you should be aware that not all venues have the same policy when it comes to paying for using their space and services. Yes, all will require a deposit of some kind or another, but there are some other things that you need to be aware of before you swipe that credit card or write that check. Lakeside Wedding And Events

Most wedding venues are upfront about the type of deposit that you need to leave in order to secure the date you want. The required deposit can run anywhere from 1 to 10%, and sometimes even more, so be sure that you have that money available before you get your heart set on one specific place. There are some venues that will hold your reservation without taking a deposit, which is nice if you are trying to decide between a few different locations. Keep in mind, though, that without that deposit, the venue you are looking at could give your spot to the next bride and groom that walk through the door with money in hand. Leaving a deposit is the only way to secure your place.

Never assume that you will get your deposit back in the event that you change your mind or are forced to change dates for one reason or another. While many venues will return your deposit if given plenty of prior warning, others will have a non-refundable policy in place when it comes to your deposit. Those places that do return your money may still hold back a certain portion of the deposit as a cancellation fee. These are all things you need to know before signing on the dotted line.

How you choose to pay can also have an impact on the overall price that will come out of your pocket. If you choose to pay with a credit card or some other online portal, there may be a service fee included that is for you to pay. Don’t just assume that the event holder will pay the service fees when you choose to pay via credit card, as many of them will include that service percentage as part of your total. Cash or certified check payments will help you avoid those fees.

Finally, it is incredibly important that you take the time to read the contract that you sign from top to bottom. Most places are good about explaining all the details of the contract and the services that will be provided on your wedding day, but there are others who will try and sneak additional charges past you. Don’t rush into signing a contract until you have read everything and had all your questions answered. Taking the time to do so could save you a lot of money that can be used for other aspects of the wedding.