Wedding Woes

Ceremony/Reception Site Issues

My FI and I made our engagement "official" in January and decided to get married on June 2nd, because it is my grandfather's birthday. We've had some trouble finding a venue, but we finally chose one that has an outdoor ceremony site and an indoor reception area. I called last week to book, but the earliest I could meet them was today because of scheduling conflicts at work. The manager agreed to hold the date for me until today knowing that I was planning to pay the remainder of the deposit at our meeting.
When I got to the meeting it was the owner, not the manager that was at the venue. The owner tried to give me a tour, not knowing that I had already seen the place, and then told me that she had booked my date to a graduation party. She then tried to get me to move my date to the Saturday before, called the woman in charge of the graduation party and asked her to switch,  tried to talk me into moving my ceremony and reception times (which I'm flexible with), and then tried to get me to move my ceremony to a park down the road.

Do I have a right to be angry that she booked a graduation party on my wedding date? Should I be more flexible, or should I just move on?
Wedding Countdown Ticker

Re: Ceremony/Reception Site Issues

  • Unless they have cash monies and a signed contract, the date isn't yours.  Time to move on or chose a different weekend.  (The weekend before is Memorial Day weekend- I hate weddings on my precious long weekends)

    Lilypie Pregnancy tickers
  • Your grandfather isn't pissed that you're thunderjacking his birthday celebration?

    if they paid, they get the date. either move on or find something that you can both agree upon. The manager likely  made a promise that she didn't have authority to make, and didn't tell the owner. (Also, if i was the owner, i would take the guaranteed deposit before i would hold a day open for a potential client.)
  • 6fsn6fsn member
    Knottie Warrior 10000 Comments 500 Love Its Name Dropper
    It sucks, but without exchanging money or a contract you didn't have a venue.  If they grad party won't move you don't have much of a choice.
  • My grandfather and I are very close. He was recently diagnosed with very aggressive cancer and was deeply touched that my FI and thought of marrying on his 85th birthday.

    The owner admitted to making a mistake because they do in fact hold dates like that regularly. She thought the woman in charge of the graduation party had the hold on our date, she didn't know that it was not her.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • I'd be upset, but there isn't really much you can do now.  I'm sure you can find another venue you'll like just as much as this place.
  • WzzWzz member
    2500 Comments 250 Love Its Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited March 2013
    this happens a lot, and you may be able to find the million posts just like it by using the google.

    it stinks, but the date is never yours until you put money down. a venue isn't going to turn away a deposit for a courtesy hold, because neithere one will ever be guaranteed again. that's just business 101.

    next time you find a place you like, put a deposit. ETA - i know you said you got there the sonnest you were able to, but someone got there sooner. if oyu could change the date or move the location, it doesn't hurt to consider it. before you put a deposit, it helps to be flexible just in case.
  • I know many of you probably won't look back at this post, but I just wanted to give an update.

    After realizing from your replies that there really wasn't anything that could be done, I spent the next few days after this post tirelessly searching for back-up plans. Thankfully, however, the owner was able to work everything out. Our wedding will be on the 2nd at the venue. And for the added stress, our ceremony will be free of charge and our guests will receive h'or d'oeurves before the reception.

    If anything falls through, we also have back-up plans. So here's to hoping! :)
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards