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Savvy October 2019

How much is your venue deposit?

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Pseunami, on February 11, 2018 at 1:37 PM

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!

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61 Comments

Dedicated October 2018
M.T. · on February 11, 2018 at 7:24 PM
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Our total amount will be approximately $10,000, minus the measly $2000 deposit. Lol
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Dedicated June 2019
Rachael · on February 11, 2018 at 7:29 PM
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What venue? Mine is in Green Bay and the deposit is $1000 with a total of around $8000
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Savvy October 2019
Pseunami · on February 11, 2018 at 7:32 PM
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Rosewood in Delavan! Hello to another Wisconsin bride!
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VIP May 2018
plangalCG · on February 11, 2018 at 9:09 PM
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I had to pay the entire amount of the package I purchased—that was part of the deal because it was a “good deal” and they pay some other vendors (officiant/florist). So it was a lot!!! More than yours!
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Expert May 2018
BGR · on February 11, 2018 at 9:21 PM
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Our venue included tables, chairs and linens, and we cater though them, but we paid the entire room reservation fee, and we will pay all of our food/drink once we have our tasting and turn in our numbers.
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Expert September 2018
FutrureMrsA · on February 11, 2018 at 10:04 PM
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My deposit was 3000, and we’ve had 3 3000 deposits paid so far then we owe the remaining a week before the wedding.
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Super December 2018
Lacy · on February 11, 2018 at 10:12 PM
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20% of the total.
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VIP July 2018
AQuixoticBride · on February 11, 2018 at 10:18 PM
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My deposit was half, and it's non-refundable except for certain instances. All of the things OP mentioned are covered in my contract as circumstances in which the deposit would be refundable.
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Expert March 2018
Heather · on February 11, 2018 at 10:19 PM
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Our venue was 100 down and rest due week before event. Leaving us owing 700 or so.
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July 1993
WED18 · on February 11, 2018 at 10:25 PM
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If you're worried about something happening to the venue, purchase insurance to cover event cancellation.
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Super May 2018
DC · on February 11, 2018 at 10:27 PM
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A 1/3 deposit is not unusual. Mine was 50%. But think Of It like this. Almost all your vendors are included in that amount so 3800 is not a lot at all
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Savvy October 2019
Pseunami · on February 11, 2018 at 10:30 PM
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OP here! I think I have plenty of responses. Thank you so much for everyone's input!
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Just Said Yes November 2018
Starlena · on February 11, 2018 at 11:31 PM
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My venue cost 11,000 our deposit was 1,000 1/3 is due in may and remainder 1 week before
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Expert July 2017
SaraBear · on February 12, 2018 at 4:09 AM
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We had to make two payments before our final payment. Our deposit to book the venue was $3,125, our next payment was three months before the wedding date was $6,250, and our final payment was due two weeks before the wedding.
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Expert August 2018
Erica · on February 12, 2018 at 4:57 AM
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Mine was $500.00 when signing then another $500.00 6 months prior. We actually paid $1000.00 first then additional $1100.00. My venue is about $14,500.00 for about 140 people because he dropped 20% of people because he says usually that how many won't attend. But would change when I get the head count.
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Master April 2018
Mrs. Sponge · on February 12, 2018 at 7:00 AM
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My venue will cost about $9,000 and we paid a $2,000 deposit.
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Expert June 2018
lindseybee89 · on February 12, 2018 at 7:12 AM
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Mine was $2,000 to deposit and then the payment plan said $2,000 every 3 months.
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Master September 2018
Jennifer · on February 12, 2018 at 11:07 AM
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We paid $2k at time of contract signing. We have a DIY venue (barn) so ours is a smaller down payment.
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VIP June 2018
PrincessLawrence · on February 12, 2018 at 12:50 PM
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My total is APPROX $17000. My deposit was $2000 and another $2000 due 6 months later
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Master August 2018
Nemo · on February 12, 2018 at 4:10 PM
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Ours is $500. We owe $3,500 45 days prior the event and the rest 14 days prior to the event when the final count is due.
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