The search for the perfect venue: Tricks to the trade

It is uncouth to discuss money in the United States. This is inconvenient. 

 

If we were more open about money, we’d know how much people paid for things (i.e.: did we pay too much?), how much people make (i.e. why don’t I make a more appropriate salary?) and ideas about how to save better (i.e. why don’t I have any money left?) I found that Italians I met in Florence, Italy were quite blunt about money. They asked how much things cost, how I paid for them, etc. At first I was a bit flustered by such questions, but now I see how useful they can be.

 

I wish couples would be more upfront about what they paid and how they figured out how to pay for it.

 

When you are searching for a wedding venue, as we are right now, you have to know what questions to ask since some costs aren’t immediately disclosed.

 

Here are a few things I’ve discovered you should ask about:

 

Ceremony fee: If you are getting married onsite, there may be a per person or one-time fee to hold the ceremony there. This pays for the set-up, staff, etc.

 

Alcohol: You may receive a per-person price for the food, but check to make sure it includes the alcohol (for the reception, dinner and after dinner drinks.) Sometimes you can bring in your own alcohol, which lowers the final price tag considerably (depending on whether or not there’s a corking fee.)

 

Tents: Especially if you are renting a space and hiring an outside caterer to come in, you may need to pay for tents. This is not a small fee.

 

Insurance: Some smaller venues that do not regularly hold weddings may ask you to buy insurance.

 

Staff: Sometimes you are asked to pay for extra bartenders, waiters, etc.

 

Valet parking: Is this an extra charge at your venue? It is a particularly important question at a more urban site.

 

Gratuity and Tax: Some venues include these numbers in their per-person totals, some don’t.

 

Holidays/off-season dates/afternoons: Weddings cost different amounts depending on the day and time of day. It can be shocking how much they vary. Ask about holiday rates, afternoon and off-season weddings. Off-season dates might also make it a less expensive trip for your guests (airfare, hotels, etc.)

 

Advice:

It can be an English major’s nightmare to plan a wedding according to a budget. Each website, attachment, etc. tallies numbers differently. Be patient. Ask a lot of questions and work to come up with a final number for each venue so that you can better compare and contrast prices. Remember, you are buying a product/service and have the right to understand what you are purchasing.