Venue Change???

jhanso

Ok, I'm not new to the Knot, but this is my first time posting. I need some serious advice!

So I booked my venue in November for my April wedding, after visiting it once. The coordinator was very confident that I would book with him after he showed me his little presentation. I was impressed, and so I booked it for ceremony and reception. I put a $1500 deposit down when I booked ($500 of which he will retain in order to cover the cost of the ceremony ). The coordinator showed me the area outside that would be used for the ceremony, I was a bit concerned because  he requires a min of 125 guests yet his ceremony area did not look like it could accommodate that many guests. He assured me that he does this all the time.

Fast forward 3 months...this past Monday, I went down to the venue (two hours away from home) for my tasting and my Fiance's first visit to the venue. The coordinator  quickly dismissed my concerns about the ceremony set-up when I asked him to please explain exactly how it would look. Now, let me just say that the ballroom that the reception will be in is huge and able to be separated to host the ceremony if needs be.

He explained that the ceremony would be outside and he would only set up a few chair (mainly for the elderly) and that everyone else would stand up. I told him I didn't like that idea of standing up (for one, I've never heard of or seen such a thing at a wedding). Then he tried to justify it by saying that it only makes sense because the ceremony will only last 7-10 minutes anyway (as if it's the least important part of the evening!).

Being that my wedding is in April in FL, the chance of rain is pretty high. My wedding coordinator said he will be the ultimate decider on whether or not to move the ceremony inside. If it is held inside, he will then set up enough chairs for everyone to be seated, however, it will go over his allotted 7-10 minutes to have everyone seated, my entrance, and ceremony.

NOW, my dilemma: should I insist that we have the ceremony indoors where everyone can be seated?

OR just try to find a whole new venue (even though invitations have already gone out and I've already received over 30 responses)?

I'm open to all suggestions.

heatherrenee527

Your coordinator should always have your best interest at heart. Sit down and go over exactly what you want and explain that anything else is unacceptable. Also, review your contract to see what rights you actually gave him. He may be in breach of the contract if seating for all if included in the contract.

entropicbeauty

That guy sounds like an a$$hole. You're paying, you should be able to do what you want. Everyone should have the option to sit and it is INCREDIBLY rude of him to insist that they don't.

I would threaten that you will change venues if he is not willing to accomodate you and your guests appropriately.

jhanso

Thank you for the advice!

jhanso

I'm considering changing venues,and I have already contacted one that I previously visited She is still available and willing to assist. Thank you so much for your advice.

MiLadyK

Read your contract. See what exactly you have signed up for.

Write down what you want your ceremony like (aisle, chairs, indoors, outdoors, whatever)

Take your list to Mr. InCharge and tell him that your ceremony, regardless of how other ceremonies have gone, will go like this. 

If you don't feel like fighting Mr. InCharge for the whole process, get a new place. I don't' know how conflict averse you are. I worked in purchasing so fighting with vendors is something I'm used to and haven't done a whole lot of recently o I have the energy for it. 

Hilraythebride

I would ask if it is possible to visit the venue when it is being set up for an outdoor ceremony to see what it looks like first.

I think he was saying the ceremony itself will only take 7-10 minutes.  That does not include guests getting there ealy and being seated.  Inlcuding the ceremony it is more likely that people will be there about 30 minutes total.  I wouldn't feel comfortable not providing a chair for every person. 

In the end, you are paying for it and the venue should be listening to your needs and concerns.  I would recommend holding the reception indoors if it is bigger and more accomadating unless you had your hert set on outdoor ceremony.