Venue is ruined...

I should also add, this location has several outdoor venues. One of them already has a tent, and for the ones that don’t, they have an indoor backup plan in case the weather gets bad. So it makes no sense on why they’d be adding it in. Here in Utah, it really doesn’t rain much in August.

Call on Monday to get more details and request photos. It may not change the vibe as much as you think and if it's a tent it may be totally removable. If it does change the vibe a bit, I sure your wedding would still be beautiful, but I would see if they'll give you a discount (or a free add-on) since it's no longer what really booked.

Your wedding will be beautiful no matter what! Good luck!!

I can understand your frustration because our venue has made some changes without letting us know as well. While theirs were pretty minor, we didn't find out until they posted the finished product on Facebook. I'm happy with the changes they've made, but I looked at our contract out of curiousity to see if it mentions anything about changes to the venue. Your contract may be different, but it doesn't sound like there's anything we could do as far as a refund if they made changes that we didn't like.

On another note, what was your rain plan before the tent was being added? It may be something that you need to take advantage of. Could you ask the venue for details about the size of the tent and let them know about your concerns that it's going to change the feel of the reception?

View Quoted Comment So this is at thanksgiving point, and they have about 5 different venues there. One of them already has a tent, and for all the other outdoor ones they have an indoor backup plan if it does rain. I will probably be calling them on Monday to see what our options are, because it’s a pretty drastic change to the whole look and feel of the venue. I’ll also be looking over the contract to see what it says about discounts and such. Thanks for the response ☺️

I would call on monday and ask for photos, it may not totally ruin the look you are going for. I would also ask why this tent was not mentioned when you signed the contract.
Also i agree if they dont take it down for your wedding you you should ask for a discount because that is not what you agreed upon.
I dont think you are being dramatic at all

View Quoted Comment I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks so. I’ll definitely be giving them a call on Monday to see if we can have it removed for our reception.

I agree with you. I would also call on Monday. Request pictures of the change and go from there. I would also be requesting a discount for sure!

View Quoted Comment I love thanksgiving point! I considered them for our August wedding too! But we’re staying in Park City since TP is a dry venue, so sad... I know the space you speak of and I agree, it does not need a tent and I don’t know why they’d want one, there are plenty of other spaces there with coverings. I hope it is removable!!

View Quoted Comment I would look at photos and see what it is like before getting upset. It could be a small tent in the back. Call Monday and ask for details.

View Quoted Comment I really hope it is too!

Could the tent be not for rain, but open sided to reflect off the sun days, with an option of lowering sides for cooling and fans in very hot weather? And to even off temps after dark when an 80° day may drop to 60-65° within a few hours? I have not been to there in years, but more climate control is an understandable goal, considering the area.

View Quoted Comment For the most part that is understandable, because it gets quite hot. However our reception will be late in the evening and should be cooled down by then. It wouldn’t really make sense to have a tent that’s permanent would it? Is it common for them to be removable?

View Quoted Comment

This is a good idea. You never know the size, where it will be etc. You should still get the wedding you want (which will be GORGEOUS), but be a little open. In general, if you go in being flexible and hearing their side, they are more likely to be open to a compromise of some sort.

View Quoted Comment Yeah, I can agree with that. And I’ll do my very best to be open about it, I guess my heart was just set on the venue as it was when I went to look at it. I’ll obviously be willing to work with them on what we can do, especially since there’s really no room to move to another venue. Thanks for the advice!

I would be so upset! We chose our outdoor venue because of the view. We have the ocean, a gorgeous sunset, hills, trees, and at 9 pm the city fireworks in the distance. (July 4th wedding) A tent over all of that would destroy what we loved the most about the location. I would definitely want the tent gone.
It’s especially wrong that you weren’t told in advance. You were sold a location and atmosphere that they are not actually providing. Have you made a deposit already?

View Quoted Comment Yeah we made the deposit, but money isn’t really a concern for us, other than the fact that we DID put a deposit down on a venue we thought looked beautiful. So yeah for them to just start making changes like that 5 months before the wedding is a little heart wrenching. I’m glad someone gets it!!

View Quoted Comment Some are easily out up and taken down, with a fee for labor. I live in a mountainous area where now and again, even in summery seasons, May through Sept, where it will usually rain only at night except once every 3 weeks or so. But sometime is the midst of 80° weather, there will be 3 days of 58-60°, though clear. Or in May, August, Sept, just an inch of snow overnight. And though rarely a full hurricane, a 2 or 3 day soaking rain at least 2 times Aug-Nov. Some places keep tents, only sides go up and down. And their bathrooms are regular, separate buildings, not portables. But others have quite large ones with options. During June 15-Aug 30, there is a $250-350 fee to set up a tent, based on weather prediction. And the rest of the time, they leave it up unless paid to take it down, like for a 75° October day of blue skies, fall foliage in the mountains. I do not know about your particular place. Perhaps you need to inquire. Also, some semi-permanent ones, the sides and the outer 1/3 of roof go up, usually on 3 sides toward any view. More like being at a venue with an indoor room with wide open arches, or patio doors open, to a large deck with tables and a sdance floor. So the still covered part is like a pavilion, with outdoor party spilling over on 3 sides, usually kitchen area, and attachment to bathrooms, on the fixed sides. Because of the possible variations, each venue has to let you know how much of their tent installation is permanent. Good luck. I love outdoor weddings.

Definitely don't freak out until you have a chance to call and see all the options! I'm not sure what you're visioning for your lighting feel but perhaps the tent can have removable sides to allow light in/sunset in that way?

Don't freak out though, talk to them first!