Venue Cancellation...?

taubesjt

I requested a quote from a resort venue on my ideal wedding date for an intimate wedding (25-50 guests), turns out they were booked for that day within my budget ($2,000ish) but they had options for around $8,000-10,000 in a larger space. I declined, laughing and thinking this would never been within my budget. It's only the beginning for me to begin my wedding planning. 

 But the next day I got a phone call saying that there was a cancellation, and the resort would be able to accommodate my small wedding and within budget, including all vendors from the meal, custom cake, custom linens, and custom florals. It almost seems too good to be true. I'm waiting to hear back from the event planner, but I can't help but wonder... am I getting a better rate because of the cancellation and they're trying to recoup their losses?

flantastic

taubesjt said:

I requested a quote from a resort venue on my ideal wedding date for an intimate wedding (25-50 guests), turns out they were booked for that day within my budget ($2,000ish) but they had options for around $8,000-10,000 in a larger space. I declined, laughing and thinking this would never been within my budget. It's only the beginning for me to begin my wedding planning. 

 But the next day I got a phone call saying that there was a cancellation, and the resort would be able to accommodate my small wedding and within budget, including all vendors from the meal, custom cake, custom linens, and custom florals. It almost seems too good to be true. I'm waiting to hear back from the event planner, but I can't help but wonder... am I getting a better rate because of the cancellation and they're trying to recoup their losses?

Maybe. They'd rather make some money than no money, they probably already have sunk costs, and you told them that 2K was the money you were willing to pay them.

Does it matter?

tammym1001

The cynical side of me thinks they were just trying to get you to spend more money and they didn't have another event booked in the first place. When you didn't bite they figured they would give you the better rate rather than have nothing booked for that day.

The bride side of me thinks who cares now you can have the venue on your ideal wedding date and within your budget!

marie2785

I would jump at this, but obviously make sure the contract has ALL of those details in writing. 

They likely are just trying to recoup costs since someone already lost their deposit. But who cares--worth it for you if they have a nice venue and good quality food!

novella1186

Yeah, who cares? You're getting what you wanted, and within your budget. Yay! 

I'm guessing even though there was a cancellation, they still got a little money out of it. Most places require a non-refundable deposit and if you cancel you lost the entire deposit. For my venue, the deposit is $875, and the venue is in high-demand with a wait-list specifically for cancellations. So my venue wouldn't lose out at all if I cancelled and someone else booked my day. Because even with my deposit, they still make a lot more money by filling the empty slot. 

No big deal. That's business. 

lyndausvi

Maybe, does it matter?

Cancellations happen all the time.    Sometimes you tell someone you are booked and then "boom" someone cancels. Within a few hours or days.  Those are the best because there is a better chance those people haven't booked yet. 

JellyBean52513

Both scenarios are equally likely, to be honest. Either they really did have a cancellation and knew that day/time would work for you so they called you back, or they were trying to get your to spend more from the start and when they saw you weren't willing to, they realized some money was better than none.

Either way, I don't think it matters too much on your end. Just make sure your contract spells out EVERYTHING before you sign it. You can even ask to have someone look over it and bring it here, the brides here are very experienced with what can go wrong re: contract provisions, and I know there's a handful of contract experts here (myself I'd like to include in that, being in law school) who can help make sure you've covered your bases and closed any loop holes. If you have the chance to lock in your dream venue at your ideal budget, we'll help you do what you need to make sure it goes through

photokitty

If you go borrowing this much trouble at this point in the planning process, you are in for a rough ride.

Either you want the resort on your ideal date or not. Why are you causing yourself undue stress worrying about whether that are trying to recoup their cost? Of course they are and if you don't take the date someone else will be happy to - stop over thinking it.