Venue Contract

Well I got a copy of my vendor contract. In the negotiation stage - YEAAAH! Thing is...the contract is very vague and short. I've never seen one before - how long were yours? What's included? I'm assuming I can add things - like the overtime rates aren't specified... I just wasn't sure what I should include. It's for the 3 West Club...

Re: Venue Contract

Ours wasn't short, but wasn't overly long either. FH and I made them write a lot of extras on there - things we had discussed that weren't on there just because we're more comfortable when everything is written out.

Re: Venue Contract

Ours is only a page so far. Was it longer than 1 page?

I'm going to write out some things. I'm just a little paranoid that we're completely missing stuff that should be in there.

Re: Venue Contract

We're only contracted for the place (not catering or rentals) and had to put down a site fee. My father made them add a line in the contract about getting the deposit back in the event that they are not able hold the wedding, ie. if there is a fire or other renovations. I'm not sure if all places would do that, but I would definitely try. See if you can add that if you have to delay the wedding for some reason, if they can hold the money and let you have the event on another day. The contract should be about protecting you as much as it is getting the money for them!

I think it should specify the price pp so they can't change it, overtime rates like you said, time length of the reception as well as how much time you and/or the florist has to set up. Hope this helps!

Re: Venue Contract

I would suggest running it by someone who could help you (maybe a lawyer friend, etc. who is good with contracts). Venues are notorious for leaving out DETAILS...when we first got our contract it was lacking so many details....we actually sent it to a friend at a NYC wedding planning service - we were lucky to have them.

Good luck, but I would say to never accept the first draft of a contract...make sure it is as thorough as possible.

Re: Venue Contract

mine was very very long. we kept on negotiating and wrote in a couple of things on our own. just write in as many things as u can think of. good luck.

Re: Venue Contract

Does anyone have a sample cancellation clause? The contract as is doesn't include one.

Re: Venue Contract

I just thought I would pass along some advice. I am getting married next July, and I am also an atty. You should make sure that everything that was promised to you is included in the contract. Too much time passes between the signing date and the wedding date for the banquet manager to remember all the extras that were promised to you. You will remember, but he/she won't.

Secondly, if your banquet should leave the location you want the reception hall to have a full agreement in writing.

bottom line is: if it is not written down you should not expect it at your wedding.

A decent contract should include the amount of food to be served, type of liquor, hours of the event, number of waiter/bartenders guaranteed - basically everything included in the price. Don't be afraid to demand that everything be written out. Hopefully you only get married once, and you will want everything just the way you pictured it on your wedding day.

Re: Venue Contract

A question on the wording for # of waiters gauranteed...is that X number of waiters per X number of people? What is standard - 1 waiter per 8 people? Or less?

Oh and thanks for everyone's input so far - have about a 2 page addendum to the contract so far...

Re: Venue Contract

I would try to have it state something like x number of waiter for each x number of tables - so 1 waiter per table, 3 waiters for every 3 tables, etc.