Here's the background on my venue problems:
When Ross proposed in June, my first venue thouht was this great farmhouse wedding we went to the previous September. They had the reception in the barn, and it was awesome. We're looking at a fall wedding, and the barn would be a nice rustic touch. Contacted the owner, they "don't do" weddings anymore. Hours of research on other venues later (so end of August), owner emails and says "they're thinking" about allowing weddings again, and "will let us know" when they decide. Cute, but I want to book a venue NOW. So more hours of research, to no avail. In the beginning of November, she emails saying they've decided to allow weddings again.
So, great right? Here's the background on us. We're students, and we're getting almost no financial assistance from the families. So it's all us and our server incomes. The place rents for $1200 for the week. Then she tacks on a $2000 event fee. We talked her down to a $1500 fee. Nothing is included in the fee, it's a lot of money for a place we're already renting for $1200, but it's THE place, right? We got the contract today, and now there's a security deposit of $1000 (completely understandable, but not previous disclosed), $100 for the dog (also completely reasonable), and she wants us to get event insurance for $1million. Also, they live out of state, and want us to use their property manager as a wedding planner, said something about her being there for the day, and they want the manager's husband to direct parking. This "wedding planner" would be $25/hr, plus the husband's fee.
I'm freaking. I don't want a wedding planner. Wasn't planning on one, and can't afford it. Event insurance.. I see the point, but at $300-$600 it was an unforseen expense. Exactly what am I paying this event fee of $1500 if NOTHING is included??
Do other venues ask for an event fee -and- require the extra insurance? Shouldn't some things be included? I need perspective. I don't want to lose this place, but there reaches a point that it's just not worth the money. We're already cutting as many corners as we can.