HELP! Venue has not finished renovations!

I would also like to add that considering the fact that we are there first wedding, and the only wedding in 2017, it takes them sometimes over two weeks to respond to our emails and they will not do phone communication.... i'm just feeling very confused as to how I should handle the situation when I hardly can talk with the owner and my wedding is only a month away!

Etiquette, schmetiquette, get your contract out.

Go over it carefully and see what it says about the renos.

Have your talked to the venue manager or coordinator?

If these items are not slated to be done, I would ask for a HEFTY discount if I stayed with that venue.

We have reviewed the contract, and very much regret that we did not ask for a clause to be put in regarding the renovations... unfortunately, the contract only discusses liquor, payment schedule, vendors, insurance, and rules for decorating… The contract doesn't have anything written in it regarding the renovations. We are the first wedding they have ever hosted, and we love the location and just kind of gave them the benefit of the doubt that obviously we couldn't have a wedding there if the renovations werent finished. We also have some very reputable photographers and videographers who will be there and thought that was putting enough pressure on them to make sure everything was ready

Would it be fair to ask that we pay the remaining amount the week before the wedding pending all the promised renovations are done? Is that cutting t too close? Ugh I have no idea!!

You're wedding is in 5 weeks! Do you have any proof, emails or texts, where they committed to completing these repairs?

First.. go there and take pictures that show the date or someone show the date and the lack of completion

Second... don't pay them another penny.

Third.. start looking at other venues, like today

Fourth.. tell them you won't pay until the renovations are complete and see what they say. We both know they won't be done. Assuming they balk at this, tell them you are booking another venue (that you already found) and will see them in small claims court if they do not refund the rest of the deposit .

I had this happen to me for a corporate event, but the hotel was kind and paid for us to go to another hotel. It was handled nicely. This... doesn't sound like it's going to go well. I'm so sorry!!! I'm sure this is crazy stressful.

I wouldn't ask about paying a cent.

I would ask when the heck they planned on being done, get it in writing, and what is their backup plan.

Then I would start looking for my own backup plan.

Not trying to stress you out more, but sometimes we have to look at things in the worst case scenario:

What will you do if they renos aren't done? Will you bring in generators, excavators and glaziers? Will you take it as is?

Ask the video/photographers what they think as well.

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I mean... at this point you might need that second half of the deposit for the down payment on a new venue.

I would tell them how concerned you are, and let them know that you will happily send them the money once they've ensured that the venue will be ready as previously discussed. Ask for the contractor's timeline and definitely make a point to ask about the accessibility issue.

Sorry you're dealing with this!! We looked at a few "new for 2018" venues and decided against them for this reason.

There is no etiquette necessary in this case. You call them and tell them they are not getting a cent until the venue is done.

You go and take photos.

You look for other venues, just in case.

Now, a lot can get done in five weeks, but you need to know their plan.

Thank you all for the advice... this is so stressful!! I really figured that they would realize there is so much riding on how the first wedding goes, imagine how bad it will be for business If our wedding is ruined due to their lack of performance on the renovations! I hope they can be sensible Enough to realize that we would want to see everything finished before paying the remaining amount...

Hoping everything works out for you!!

Wow, that's insane!!! I agree with PP, also, let them know how you will reflect your experience all over every social media / wedding platform there is. A tarnish public image is terrible for business especially a new venue. I kid you not, shitting on Dell on Twitter is the only way I could get in contact with someone to fix my computer. This, combined with withholding your money and demanding your deposit should get the message through to them. Now is the time to be a Bridezilla! Best of luck I can't imagine how stressful this is for you

That is not good that it isn't finished! Do you have anything in writing about the renovations being done - emails, letters, other correspondence?

I agree with PP's. do not give them another payment! Tell them you're holding pending the completion of the renovations. Ask them if they are on schedule and check back in a week or two to see if there is sufficient progress. I would start looking at other venues too but you'll lose your deposit if you cancel with your current venue.

Do not pay them a thing.

I honestly would never want my wedding to be the guinea pig event at a venue but that ship has sailed.

Agree with PP. Don't give another cent until you have something in writing specifying what will be done & date it will be done by. If you signed with them last year, they had all summer to get this ready & being their first customer/first review potential...they don't seem to have it together at all or don't seem to care : (

Sorry for the stress you have; but at least you didn't find this out the week of! Try to find another venue in the meantime...

ETA You may want to also ask how they prefer to communicate. Even if it's over phone, in person...you can still send an send a follow up email listing what was discussed/decided on.

Don't pay another dime!

How much is this venue's rental fee? If it's high maybe they are counting on that money to finish renovations or they planned on other depots from other booked weddings that never booked to pay for it. I'm guessing they ran out of money. My venue renovations were 3 to 4 times the original quotes in the end because of my first manager and other issues that were discovered after the fact that had to be fixed or redone.

If they are working on it now they may get it done, but with electrical requiring rough in inspections, final inspections, occupancy inspections, punchlist and millwork for the bar (this is usually a long lead time item unless it's plain) they may not be able to finish. The windows and excavating don't take that much time they could be done in a week or so.

ETA: Clarity

The overall price for the venue was $4000. We were nervous about the fact that we would be the first wedding, but my fiancé films weddings for a living and has been to so many venues, when we fell in love with this property we kind of liked the idea that no one else we know would have been married there. Now it does seem to be coming back to bite us in the butt !

This is not an etiquette issue but a legal one. I agree with getting some pictures to document the progress in case this goes south. I wouldn't give them more money.

Paige,

I would start looking into a change of venue or renting generators and lighting from a rental store. Think a few chandlers and some side lighting, plus needed outside lighting. What is the status on the bathrooms? You may also need to rent a honey wagon and they are not cheap. As for the Bridal Suite it may or may not be useable; make up a plan B for dressing at home or some place close. Please, document everything you can to get ALL your money back plus some for stress and duress.

Your $2000 wont even build their bar or buy one ready made, believe me both of mine were way more than that for just the ready made bars without stools and shelves that doubled the price.

I think your venue pulled a "my parents and SO's are paying so much" and no one showed up with actual cash to back it. They are cash strapped due to few bookings and I am sure over extended.

I wish you the best of luck...

Duplicate sorry...