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Pseunami
Savvy October 2019

How much is your venue deposit?

Pseunami, on February 11, 2018 at 1:37 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 61
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Hi everyone! Looking for some input on paying for a venue.

My fiance and I have found a gorgeous venue in Wisconsin that we are almost completely settled on. We have a few things to work out, but the setting is beautiful and the price is very reasonable. In total, for the use of the venue, food, bar tenders, and dj, is about $9,700 which the owner tells us is divided into thirds and paid through the year leading up to our date. This sounded good at first, until I realized that we essentially have a nonrefundable deposit of about $3500 due at signing. Is this a lot? Or unusual?

And if the venue were to suddenly go out of business, change ownership, or god forbid have a fire, is it typical for these nonrefundable payments to still be returned? Can that sort of thing be covered by insurance?

Any advice or experiences would be appreciated!

61 Comments

Latest activity by Nemo, on February 12, 2018 at 4:10 PM
  • K
    Dedicated June 2018
    Kansas ·
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    Mine was $500. But total is only $3200 so I don't know if that's why your deposit is higher. Seems high to me though

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  • Pseunami
    Savvy October 2019
    Pseunami ·
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    Just to clarify because I just realized I explained this poorly. The owner is actually waiving the $500 deposit to save our date, which is nice, but the first payment (which is a third of the total) is still nonrefundable and due all at once.
    • Reply
  • rica
    VIP September 2018
    rica ·
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    Hat does seem high to me. Our deposit was $1000 and our final bill with probably be around 14000, much higher than yours, and due only a month before the wedding. I would also be hesitant if I were you, because it’s highly unlikely you could get that money back in the cases you mentioned. But if you really love it, it might be worth it.
    • Reply
  • Officiallymrs
    Super May 2010
    Officiallymrs ·
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    My deposit to hold the room for my venue was 3500.. it was the room rental fee and it was due when we signed the agreement - everything else is due 30 days prior
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  • B
    Dedicated April 2020
    Brittany ·
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    My venue requires 25% down.
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  • Jessica
    Dedicated November 2018
    Jessica ·
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    For my venue the deposit was $2500 and that’s for a Friday wedding, they require $3500 for Saturday. But that’s in New York.
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  • MOB So Cal
    January 2019
    MOB So Cal ·
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    Our required minimum (venue use, inclusive food & bev, service, etc.) is $10,000. $3500 was required as deposit when contract was signed (17 months prior). Another third is due 4 months prior (time of food tasting, finalizing linens, etc.), and the final payment is due 7-10 prior to the wedding (with final guest count & guarantee).

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  • Bianca
    Super August 2019
    Bianca ·
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    That doesn’t seem high. Our deposit was $3000 (non-refundable) upon signing, and the rest paid in instalments.
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  • Katie
    Devoted September 2018
    Katie ·
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    Our venue deposit was the total amount which was $3000. This only includes venue rental, tables, chairs, all dinnerware, glasses, etc... bridal suite, all access to the property for the day.
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  • K
    Dedicated April 2019
    Kelsey ·
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    Our deposit is $1000 and we pay monthly payments on the remainder
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  • J
    Savvy November 2018
    Jennifer ·
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    Mine was $1000.00 and the remaining balance has to be paid 2 days before the big day.
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  • FirstTimeMOB
    October 2018
    FirstTimeMOB ·
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    For many venues that are popular, it's common to have a large non-refundable deposit. With a good piece of skin in the game, the venue is reasonably assured that they have a solid booking for that day.


    Deposit for my daughter's venue was $2k up front and there is a $12k minimum (which we already know we will easily exceed). I had to pay another $3500 two weeks ago and another $3500 in April. Full balance due 30 days prior.


    Read the contract to see what provisions are made in the event of a sale/change of management. If you want to reserve the right to back out if one of those happens, you need to ask about adding it to the contract if it's not there. If they refuse to add that as a provision, then you have to decide if it's a deal-breaker or not.

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  • Casey
    VIP December 2018
    Casey ·
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    I asked about deposits at our venue. One was half the total cost, which would’ve been $900 of the $1800. The one we went with was $500 deposit on the total cost of $2,400. We’ll also do a separate contract for the owners to be our wedding coordinators, which is another $100.

    I think deposits just differ depending on the place. I also paid 1/3 of the total cost for the deposit on my photographer.
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  • Casey
    VIP December 2018
    Casey ·
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    I asked about deposits at our venues ** we looked at a few.
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  • Jables
    Dedicated May 2019
    Jables ·
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    I just put my deposit down and it was about $3500. It includes venue and bar package as bar has to go through them. They require 30% down at time of signing.
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  • LaraLouM
    Super May 2019
    LaraLouM ·
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    Paying 1/3 of the price up front is a pretty good deal. A lot of vendors require 50% down so I would not be concerned.
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  • Pseunami
    Savvy October 2019
    Pseunami ·
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    Thank you everyone! I feel a lot better, this was super helpful!
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  • Ashley
    Dedicated March 2020
    Ashley ·
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    Our venue has a security deposit of $2000. It doesnt go towards the invoice but is refunded 1 week after the wedding. As long as theres no damage and the alcohol agreement is upheld. Its a lot upfront but at least we get it back. Some places are completely nonrefundable.
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  • L
    Devoted July 2019
    Lexi ·
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    My deposit to save the date was $400 but our total including food/alcohol will be $6,500. They expect all the remaining money a week before the wedding. I think that deposit is somewhat high but then again your total cost is more than mine.

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  • H
    Beginner September 2019
    Hayley ·
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    My deposit is 1500 with my total being around 15000. 3500 seems a bit outrageous. I would figure out another alternative. Venue managers seem like they are willing to accommodate
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