Reception Hall Deposit!!

Hi I am looking to book my recp. hall soon and they said that we need to put $500 down to hold the date.

My FH and I are thinking of putting down much more(somewhat large amout) than that and I wanted to know how we should do that.

Should we pay by check, credit card.. I know definetly not cash.


Thanks

Re: Reception Hall Deposit!!

We paid our deposit with a credit card. We also paid a $500 deposit. We thought about leaving a larger amount but realized that we didn't need to. The hall should give you a reasonable payment plan.

Re: Reception Hall Deposit!!

No we want to give them a larger deposit.

Re: Reception Hall Deposit!!

Chateau Briand is a reputable catering hall, but I would pay by credit card

Re: Reception Hall Deposit!!

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Posted by MrsMichel07

No we want to give them a larger deposit.

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I wouldn't. Any one whose an expert in the consumer or financial field would tell you not to. Things happen on both sides. I changed photographers and I'm glad I did not give her more than a $600 deposit at that time or I'd be out more money. Things can change on both sides.

If you are afraid you will spend the money why not open up another account that you do not have easy access to. For example, take a branch a few towns away, don't get an ATM card with it or don't carry the ATM card so you won't be tempted. Just some ideas.

I see you are not getting married until 2007. No way would I give someone else that money when I could be earning interest on it. You don't need the money right away, research certificate of deposit rates and I'd put the money in there.

Your wedding is over two years away why let someone else hold onto your money.

Re: Reception Hall Deposit!!

The best would be to make a deposit on a credit card if you are afraid of being scammed or if there are any disputes later on. If you pay by check, once that check clears you really cant do anything about it later on. Sort of similar with cash. The money will be theirs. I didnt really think it made a difference, I payed cash. Make sure you go over the cancellation process just in case. I was surprisedto find out that if I cancelled before six months of my date I would only lose a portion of my deposit, not the whole amount.

Re: Reception Hall Deposit!!

I would not since if there is any reason to cancel, I was told you recieve your inital deposit and then the rest when the room is rebooked. I too have a 2007 wedding and I am only looking to put the min down. Most places have a good payment plan and since you have two years it should be enough time.

Re: Reception Hall Deposit!!

I wouldnt give them a larger deposit. If youre afraid of spending th emoney or something maybe you can have a sister or something make monthly payments for you.

The reasons I wouldnt is 1) you never know - you MAY change your mind. Believe it or not I was set on the JT and then changed my mind and gave up my $1,000 deposit and am having a big backyard wedding.
2) you never know what else might happen.

Re: Reception Hall Deposit!!

I definately would not give them a bigger deposit than they are asking for-many different things could happen with the place, you etc. Put the extra money you were going to give them in the bank and earn interest on it. Better that you earn the interest on it then the catering hall. If you are afraid that you might start withdrawing that money-open up a special account or something. But I definately do not think you should give them a dime extra-you may wind up regretting it later and you have two years to earn interest on that money!!!

Re: Reception Hall Deposit!!

Thank you all for your responses...

We wanted to put down a larger deposit for a couple of reasons:

1) We wanted to make our monthly payments smaller
2)We wanted to have the hall paid for buy next year sometime so that we do not have to worry about paying that and all other stuff down the line. We do not want to have to worry about paying 5 different vendors large payments couple of weeks b4 the wedding.
3)I think another advantage would be I may be able to splurge on something else down the line b/c i don't have to think about the recp. hall.

Now someone mentoned that I should not pay a large deposit b/c we might change or minds.

We have been engaged since early 2004 and we have gone through so many thoughts concerning the wedding. First we were staying here ... then we were going to get married in Jamaica.. then we were back here and then we were going to the Bahamas most recently or Florida. Now we have decided that that may not work out good for everybody soooooo here we are about to book Chateau Briand, the third and last place we visted.


We have total confidence in CB.. thanks to some brides on LIweddings who said they are great.

I am in constant contact with the BM any time I any concerns and she has just been great.

Remember 2007 will be here b4 u know it!

Re: Reception Hall Deposit!!

I think it's more a question of what if someone gets sick and you decide to change your plans, or something like that. But if you want to do this, then of course you should do what's best for you and FH. So to answer your original question, I would pay by check if I were you.

Re: Reception Hall Deposit!!

Thank you!

Re: Reception Hall Deposit!!

We put down 5000, but thats what we were told to do...

Re: Reception Hall Deposit!!

if you have a credit card you can earn points or miles on, use that. otherwise, i'd use a check.

Re: Reception Hall Deposit!!

One other perspective, from the 'finances' side of things-- it is always to your advantage to keep your money as longs as you can. Why give it to a vendor early (although I do see your reasons) when it could be in your bank account collecting interest. Might be to your advantage to even make regular monthly payments,so that you can keep some of your money.

This is FHs influence on me!!!!!

However, if you have a credit card thatgives youmiles and you need the miles ASAP ie for Honeymoon, Iw ould go that route.

Re: Reception Hall Deposit!!

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Posted by MrsMichel07

Hi I am looking to book my recp. hall soon and they said that we need to put $500 down to hold the date.

My FH and I are thinking of putting down much more(somewhat large amout) than that and I wanted to know how we should do that.

Should we pay by check, credit card.. I know definetly not cash.


Thanks

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if they save you the tax
you have to pay cash are they?
if not i would pay by credit card

Re: Reception Hall Deposit!!

I never give more than what I need to deposit. If you have extra money hang on to it, open up a seperate savings account if need be. Anything can happen, and the first thing you lose is your deposit.

Re: Reception Hall Deposit!!

Are you kidding? Give me some money while you're at it.

Re: Reception Hall Deposit!!

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Posted by Mal

Are you kidding? Give me some money while you're at it.

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Please go away

For the original poster - i would say pay by check or credit card so you have a record of the payment....
Credit cards with miles are great for that...or a dicover card that you can earn money back with

and if you're sure about your decision - I'd say pay more with the original deposit, because by the time the wedding gets closer....you will be throwing money everywhere!

Re: Reception Hall Deposit!!

You would have to ask howmuch you can actually put on Credit card...they might not take more than $1,000 on a credit card. If that's the case I 'd put some on CC and pay the rest by check. Of course you should do what you want but did you think about using some of the $ to put down deposits on other vendors? The other stuff costs so much its crazy!!