Pay Venue in Full?

asiansun · March 2010

My fiance and I don't want to freak out about this. So just I want hear if any Knotties have experienced this. We paid in full for our reception/ceremony site and it was a big check. We're nervous about some of these venues that have been experiencing foreclosures like the Quarry, which left people having to track down their deposit. l was shock to hear about the Quarry. I don't want to name my venue because I'm believing that this doesn't happen to us. However, the owner of this venue haven't responded to our communications either.
Any advice? Have you heard of any Seattle or south area venues not pulling through?

Tygirljojo · March 2010

FI and I were booked at a venue in south King County area near our home a year ago. I started to get a bit worried when it sounded like the owner was planning on selling the place or leasing the business to someone else - basically who knew who we would be dealing with it is time for our wedding? Plus she was a bit tricky to reach which made me a little uncomfortable. Due primarily to the first reason, we ended up cancelling the contract (did so while we could and didn't lose any deposit due to how far out we were) and booked with another venue elsewhere.

Honestly, FI and I haven't paid any vendors in full yet, partially due to some sketchy things I've heard from some people about vendors disappearing, not coming through, cancelling, etc. We pay the deposits we need to, and will pay balances when they are due. That's just how we are doing it to try and protect ourselves a bit.

What does your contract state? How far out are you? When and how have you tried to contact them? Be sure you do give them enough time to reply (i.e. at least a week) in case if they are on vacation for a week, etc.

sarack · March 2010

Scary! For me, venue is one of those things that I won't pay in full just in case.. it is one of the biggest expenses and it would suck to be out that money. I would try all different kinds of communication, showing up to the place, emailing, calling. I've paid vendors in full but they are those that I trust..

hayleymajayley · March 2010

Pay with credit cards as often as you can, then you might be able to dispute charges if the vendors don't come through.Someone on my club board had her venue shut down and now she has to find a new one 2 months out. She paid over a grand by check. Other brides who put deposits on credit cards were able to get their money back.

Tygirljojo · March 2010

Hayley makes an excellent point. For the vendors where we could pay with a credit card we did. That way if something happened, we could dispute it. Granted only some of our vendors take cards, but for the ones that did (i.e. dress shop) a card was used for consumer protection.

asiansun · March 2010

We paid in full to get "supposedly" a price break. Now, I'm not sure what to do since they already cashed our check. We tried e-mailing and calling since Jan. and our wedding is in Aug. Any website to checkout on finding venues that went under? My advice to couples who haven't picked out a venue yet...DON'T PAY IN FULL!!
We've learned our lesson by all the anxiety that this is putting us through.

Tygirljojo · March 2010

Check with the BBB and also see if they have a current business license with the state: www.dol.wa.gov

And yeah, since January is getting scary. WAAAAAAAAY too long. Without trying to stress you out, I suggest looking for a backup if you can.

amandasw · March 2010

have you tried going to the venue? I assume they have an office or something so you could talk to them in person. I know it's easy to do things by phone/email, but it's worth the time to put your mind at ease and figure things out.

Alo822 · March 2010

I second Tygirl on checking out the Better Business Bureau website. If the venue is listed, it will give you the name of the owner and contact info (maybe a different phone number, too), which will be helpful... just in case. And like PP said, maybe showing up in person is your best bet.

Sorry this is happening to you!

Might not be the worst idea to start thinking of back-up plans.

asiansun · March 2010

Thanks everyone for your time and advice. I did check them out on BBB and they have an F rating. I'm going to try really hard to not freak out! It's awhole lot of money and now we don't have any money left for a back-up plan. So this need to happen. Please think good thoughts my way.

Thanks again!

karebear219 · March 2010

Also note, if you pay in credit card, most of the time you only have 60 days after your card is charge to dispute the charge, so if it was from months ago most of the time you can't get your money back.

mma3 · March 2010

I paid my venue in full. However, if the City of Puyallup goes under then there are bigger problems than just my wedding. For new brides before you sign the contract put a clasue in there that a refund is due in full if the venue cancels. If there is a bankruptcy you will be in a long line to get your money but it will help.

I have paid my DJ in full but only after talking with a couple other companies and got good reviews on him.

irshis20 · March 2010

Which venue is it? I know you said you don't want to say, but it's probably fair to say that some of the women on here would know one way or another whether the venue is still up and running.

If I were you I'd be banging down its doors by now, in person.

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