Wedding Venue Contract

vanillataco Posted: Jan 20, 2012 01:33 AM

Wedding Venue Contract

I wanted to view a preliminary contract from Westbury Manor but they said it will only be drafted once I put the deposit down. Is this standard practice for all the wedding venues?? I have never heard of putting down money first...

stormstryker Posted: Jan 20, 2012 01:37 AM

Re: Wedding Venue Contract

the contract and deposit tend to happen at the same time.

vanillataco Posted: Jan 20, 2012 01:44 AM

Re: Wedding Venue Contract

They told me that I can pay the deposit over the phone and the contract can be written out later. Prob a bad idea to do it in this order?

Sweetpea1 Posted: Jan 20, 2012 01:52 AM

Re: Wedding Venue Contract

Have you visited them at all? Some people may do a deposit over the phone if they've already visited and wanted to secure their date. But yes the contract and deposit are usually done simultaneously.

vanillataco Posted: Jan 20, 2012 01:58 AM

Re: Wedding Venue Contract

I did but I am just worried about the contract not reflecting what we talked about. I think I have scared myself silly with all the horror stories online

SummerBeauty Posted: Jan 20, 2012 09:36 AM

Re: Wedding Venue Contract

They will draft the contract when you are ready to book and then you can review it and sign it before giving a deposit. If it is not what you agreed to then you can tell them and they can edit it to reflect that. If it still isn't what you agreed to then you can leave.

Good luck.

4Everhisgirl Posted: Jan 20, 2012 09:45 AM

Re: Wedding Venue Contract

I wouldn't give them any money till I saw the contract, I don't think they need to have your money just so they can draw up the contract.

vanillataco Posted: Jan 20, 2012 10:30 AM

Re: Wedding Venue Contract

Just spoke to FH and he said the BM said we had to give the deposit first before viewing the contract. I am going to repost to see if it happened to all the WM ladies. Thank you for all your opinions!!!!!!

lauren1802 Posted: Jan 20, 2012 12:15 PM

Re: Wedding Venue Contract

We got a copy of the standard contract faxed prior to meeting.
At the meeting, we added what we had already discussed and paid the deposit.

Irishbride16 Posted: Jan 20, 2012 12:49 PM

Re: Wedding Venue Contract

We saw them first and also to see if the date was open as well but then we want back and put the money down

Courtz Posted: Jan 20, 2012 12:59 PM

Re: Wedding Venue Contract

Posted by stormstryker

the contract and deposit tend to happen at the same time.

That's what I did.
But they should let you view a contact if you want to.

vanillataco Posted: Jan 20, 2012 01:09 PM

Re: Wedding Venue Contract

I'm gonna call back and talk to them about it again. It seems like a really shady business practice. Thanks ladies

nyrvixen Posted: Jan 20, 2012 01:32 PM

Re: Wedding Venue Contract

When we booked our RH we sat down and he went over everything we would be getting. We signed the contract then wrote the check out.

CandiRose921 Posted: Jan 20, 2012 01:41 PM

Re: Wedding Venue Contract

Eeeek. That does seem really sketchy that they wouldn't even show you a preliminary contract. On the actual contract, they should also reflect how much you put down and when you did. Giving them money makes the contract binding, but it can't be if you don't have a contract first.

Our RH actual gave us the contract to take home and review.

Also, don't give them cash. If anything, give them a check so that you can track it later.

Check out the 5 essential elements of vendor contracts so that when you do get the contract, it has everything you need to make it clear and thorough.

Good luck!

sportif7 Posted: Jan 20, 2012 06:30 PM

Re: Wedding Venue Contract

i would say no contract, no money....they should be able to draft you a contract to look through, confirm it's everything you want and wish for, that you're ok with terminology, conditions, guarantees, etc and then you can leave a deposit...after all if the deposit is non-refundable, and you don't like something, ur sorta screwed?

vanillataco Posted: Jan 20, 2012 07:34 PM

Re: Wedding Venue Contract

Thank you ladies for your input =)

Kristin31613 Posted: Jan 20, 2012 08:40 PM

Re: Wedding Venue Contract

Posted by CandiRose921

Eeeek. That does seem really sketchy that they wouldn't even show you a preliminary contract. On the actual contract, they should also reflect how much you put down and when you did. Giving them money makes the contract binding, but it can't be if you don't have a contract first.

Our RH actual gave us the contract to take home and review.

Also, don't give them cash. If anything, give them a check so that you can track it later.

Check out the 5 essential elements of vendor contracts so that when you do get the contract, it has everything you need to make it clear and thorough.

Good luck!

My reception hall gave us the contract that night but since I didn't have the cash on me bc we didn't negotiate the price and extras they gave me a couple of days until I had to give them the cash. Personally I would recommend offering cash bc sometimes you can save on tax, which is a pretty big savings. Just be sure, and most reputable places will do this without you even asking, that you get a receipt. Good luck!

Kristin31613 Posted: Jan 20, 2012 08:42 PM

Re: Wedding Venue Contract

PS... why not question their business practice. If they gave me a hard time I would comment, you know so and so gave me a contract, I dont understand why you can't perhaps this wont work out. Most places want you business in this economy and will do what is needed to please you.