Venue pricing changes?

Also- we're getting married in the Nashville area. I didn't know if that would affect anything

That seems really ridiculous to me! I'm not very experienced so I'm interested to see the other responses. A major part of the reason I booked my venue early was because I knew prices would be on the rise, that just seems so shady!

We booked our venue a year and a half ahead of time, and the price for the next year was a couple grand more than their prices at the time for overall venue rental (not even for a package of anything, just to use the space). I would say it's pretty normal, a couple other venues also had pricing sheets that were different for 2016/2017 (the two years we were looking at possibly getting married in).

Have you asked the salesperson directly about having the current year's pricing if you book now/soon? Pricing does increase year after year but I think they'd be willing to work with you or maybe throw in something else for booking early ?

@readytowed, I haven't even responded to their e-mail yet because it really threw me off with the pricing. We're looking at our first venue this week that's a good candidate and if we don't fall in love with it then I might inquire further with the other one.

That seems like a large increase.

We visited one venue that said they're prices go up $1-$3 per person every year and even if we signed a contract that day we'd have to pay the increase by the time of our wedding. That was the nail in the coffin for me at that venue.

@ReadytoWed depending on the venue and the area - a little under two years might not be considered booking early... our date was the only one our venue had left for spring of 2017 and that was 1.5 years in advance.

I don't think it's unreasonable for venues to increase prices preemptively knowing that labor/rent and all other costs increase year to year. It is almost a 40% increase though, so there might be other factors contributing besides just normal inflation. Give the venue a number that would work for you, and they will either be able to do it or not.

I think that percent increase is unusual, but there could be reasons for it. They could be new, just starting up, and they know it takes a while to get known. There could be a major convention hall or other attraction opening near them. They could be planning on Vanderbilt having a great football team in 2018 (OK, just kidding).

I don't like the idea of a price increase by *that* much, but maybe the venue can work with you on price a little. When I was discussing things with my venue, we were able to work something out that would be within my budget--she offered off-season rates for a Sunday wedding, and then further discounted it to help seal the deal. I wouldn't go in there trying to play hardball though--just let them know what your price point is and see if they're able to work with you at all.

I don't like the idea of a price increase by *that* much, but maybe the venue can work with you on price a little. When I was discussing things with my venue, we were able to work something out that would be within my budget--she offered off-season rates for a Sunday wedding, and then further discounted it to help seal the deal. I wouldn't go in there trying to play hardball though--just let them know what your price point is and see if they're able to work with you at all.

Back when we were looking at venues, I did come across venues that, in the winter of 2015, had pricing charts for 2016 and 2017 dates. I don't think the price chart included dates for the end of 2017, though. I am almost positive their price chart included dates only as far in advance as their booking calendar was open and they added to the price chart as they opened up future dates.

When we booked our venue in fall 2015 we actually had to wait a few days for them to get the 2017 increased pricing before signing the contract. I was prepared for a 5% increase, but it ended up being like $0.50 a person

It's normal for prices to increase. And wedding venues book a year or more in advance in most places. They need to be prepared with their pricing and know if next year's will change from this year's. I don't think it's uncommon. At least they are letting you know now and not surprising you with an increase later.

OP, what venue was that? I am in the Nashville area too.

I don't know if I'd say this is the norm for most places, but if it's a popular venue maybe it's normal for them to book that far in advance.

Yes, that's normal, although its annoying they don't have their 2017 and 2018 prices listed on their website packages.

I vote normal.

That is quite a price jump, but they may have a good reason. Maybe they have kept rates close to flat in prior years, maybe they are vastly increasing in popularity, maybe there are new laws or regulations coming up, maybe they are planning on a renovation or increased level of service...who knows. Or maybe they are just testing the market to see if people will pay the higher price.

But overall: yes it is normal to see a year-over-year price increase, and it's completely normal that they have pricing set for next year. They've probably been booking 2018 for the last 6 months at least.

The point of booking early is to lock in the current year prices. You should be getting the price that is current for when you book. So if you book now you get the 2017 price not next years. We booked our Venue and photographer last year to lock in prices.

A lot of vendors we were talking to stated they increased prices every years. Most venues and vendors know that labor, materials, etc increases every year. And if they have people already booking for that year then I can see why they would already have the prices set. Our baker, photographer, MUA, and DJ all allowed us to keep 2016 prices if we signed a contract before the end of the year. But I'm not sure a venue would allow that

A 35%+ increase seems pretty steep to me. Are they a newly opened venue where they are offering a great deal right now?!? Our venue's 'minimum' food/beverage rate hasn't changed since 2016 & is listed in contract; but outside of their contract...their dinner prices have increase $2-3 per meal.