Venue Contract Issues...

Our wedding is at a hotel block and we were given a pretty significant discount for the room block, but it’s a large hotel. It sounds like you may be looking at a smaller location so that may affect the rate, but I agree with you, it sounds off to me. We definitely negotiated with our venue on the room rates and some of the other fees. Yo could ask for a different rate, for them to waive he coordinator fees if you spend a certain amount, etc. they may say no, but our venue agreed to most of the concessions I asked for. Ultimately only you can decide whether the contract is something you’re willing to sign. If it’s not, then you’ll have a decision to make.

Oh no. Go back. Do not do not sign anything. Tell them clearly what you want, what you don't want, and that you will not be forced to rent upgraded rooms. And I've never heard of charging a customer for sales team planning.

View Quoted Comment I agree.

It sounds like they're referring to a wedding day coordinator, which is a service with it's own fees. The person would be on hand during the wedding for the amount of time hired. So it makes sense that they would charge a separate fee.

View Quoted Comment Yes. But it sounds like they're saying if I use a day of coordinator. as opposed to a full wedding planner, they will charge me 75 an hour for any work they do. During the tour they said set up, breakdown, decorating is handled by them. They neglected to say for a fee...if I'm reading this correctly.

I know for hotel blocks that is typical. We are not having a lot of out of town guest and most of the ones we do have will stay with family. We did not do a hotel block.

Our hotel gives us a 10% discount and allows us to have the 2018 rates from when we booked. I wonder if the increased price compared to the website is the 2020 rates!

Don’t sign until you’re comfortable. I think the point about 2020 prices is a good one, but the hotel blocks I’ve seen have locked in current prices.

I think the best thing is to contact the person who you originally talked to (if this person is different from the person who gave you the contract) and ask him or her to clarify what some things mean. You have every right to ask questions before you sign. If changes are going to be made or any explanations, you want them in writing as well if they can not be changed on the contract.

View Quoted Comment Set up, break down and decorating is not handled by a wedding day coordinator. It is handled by the caterers, florists, etc. The coordinator can be a liaison between the different departments and vendors, but doesn't do the hands-on work with them. One of the day of coordinator's biggest responsibility is to help the B's and G's families and to make sure the day runs smoothly for them.

If I'm wrong, I hope someone will correct me. 😊
https://www.allseated.com/blog/trending-now-day-of-wedding-coordinator/

Ive never heard of this,you need to speak with your venue

View Quoted Comment The couple DOCs I’ve talked to really customized to what the couple needed, so if it was lots of DIY without outside florists and a venue team to set up and take down the DOC would step in to do centerpiece set up per instruction and pictures provided by the couple. The DOC is definitely coordinating between vendors and helping everyone stay on schedule, but I think it really comes down to what each couple is needing not s one size fits all. A lot of couples seem to be DIYing lots of their decor, flowers, etc and obviously will need to set up themselves, have family do it, or hire someone.
As far as the contract, definitely try to negotiate. Are they going to charge you $75/hour every time you need to call or meet with them to ask questions, but would happily go that all fit free with your wedding planner? That’s ridiculous. Does the wedding planner have to have an event planning business, or can it be anyone? Good luck, hope they work with you!

View Quoted Comment The rates I looked up last night were for 2020 for the same weekend as our event. Online was $10-30 cheaper than what is in the contract. So, no discount whatsoever.

I guess my issue is that we didnt budget for venue planning services at $75 an hour ON TOP OF what we set aside for a DOC. During the tour they said having a DOC was optional and the contract says it's a "minimum requirement". Fine. But why charge $75 an hour on top of 3,500 to rent the venue? I've never heard of a venue charging for this when you have a DOC. Feels like a money grab. I love this place, but we may have to pass. We'll talk to them first, of course.

Don’t be afraid to email and ask about the room prices! Send screenshots and just ask why your contract says they’re more expensive. Same with the coordinator fee too. Point out what you were initially told. Hopefully they’ll work with you and waive that. I had something similar happen with my hotel and they worked it out. I think what they’d loose money wise if you chose not to book with them outweighs these stupid fees. Good luck!

I would seek clarification and question them about it. I had to cancel a venue because of contract errors.