Venue Help/Debate!!

JosieMarie00

Hi knotties,

As previously posted, we are having to postpone our wedding due to my granmother's condition.  We went to Hotel Zaza where we are scheduled to have our reception.  After informing them that we are needing to push back our date, they informed us that we need to pay the cancelation fee of $3000 and to book our new date we will need pay $4000 up-front (which is 20%)!  When we originally booked our date we were only required to pay 10%.  Don't know why they change.  I emailed the coordinator back to ask if the $3000 would go towards our new date since we are not really cancelling with them we are just asking to change our wedding date.  They told us NO!!  They said that the $3000 is non-refundable and can't be used towards our new date.  My FI and I are livid about this!!  Now that we are having to pay the $3000 which we pretty much are losing...we are actually considering changing our venue.  We can't afford to be throwing money away like that!  Any suggestions on other venues?  Here is what we are looking for:

We need the venue to us stay there till 2 am if possible

Open bar

We are kinda open to location but would like to keep it between the Museum District/Galleria area/downtown/ or even Katy. 

Our budget for the venue is about $20k

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!! 

tyboyd

How many guests? I think Bella Elegante downtown will be able to accommodate you. But IDK about the open bar....

Also... about this $3k. If it's not going towards your wedding AND it's non refundable, WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING?! I don't like them for that!

And I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother. I didnt' comment on any of your prior posts about her. I know how it is to lose grandparents, so my prayers are with you as you guys prepare for this transition.

kriskh

Crystal Ballroom at The Rice..?? Im getting married there...i know they do open bar and i think you can get the rental, food, bev for 20k!

PJS001

I can't think of any venues at the moment, but what I can suggest to you, is try to find someone to take your date. That way you don't lose all that money. Post your date, and the basic wedding info here on TheKnot, WeddingBee, hell, even Craigslist and try to recoup some of that money.

It may be a godsend to some bride. What was your originial date?

Eboix518

We had ours at Union Station at the Ballpark...you can try there
Crystal Ballroom
The Gallery
Parador
Paraiso Maravilla
Courtyard on St James

As far as the 3K, IMO you might look at keeping ZaZa you have already put money towards that venue right? Most places have a cancellation fee and that is probably how they are looking at it, it is a pretty popular venue so if your date doesnt get booked they are out of a lot of money. Like PP said you might try and see if you can get someone to take your date. Sorry about your grandmother, and good luck!

JosieMarie00

Thanks Ladies!  I will go ahead an post on the sites and see what who would be willing to take our date.  In the meantime, I will also start looking at other venues.  

Thanks again for the prayers everyone.  

lisa4766

I would also call the venue...act like you are another person and see if they re-booked that date.  If they have, then I would bargin with them as they have not loss any money.  Sometimes you have to play their game.  If they have not booked your old date, then they are going to keep the money as they may have passed up other brides for this date.  

I hope and pray your grandmother will be OK.

JosieMarie00

Thanks Lisa4766.  I will have my friend do the calling.  

[Deleted User]

I would read your original contract first, then actually meet up with teh coordinator and the manger and discuss this. My friend actually works there, and I had not heard of the cancelation fee being so steep especially if its most than 30 days in advance. Definatly take it a step further than just an email, and sit down and discuss this with them.

if that doesnt work, there are many other venues that i'm sure will work with you

good luck!

SunnySonya

I'm looking at Villa Rinat and The Gallery.  One will do everything for you and the other lets you do evrything yourself.  Just depends on what you want.

vmrios713

What was the wedding date?