Here we continue our tips and advice from Part 1 of Kelly Chandler Consulting’s guest blog.
This is Part 2 of the key areas and questions couples NEED to ask their venue or potential wedding venue before booking.
4. Minimum Spend and Minimum Numbers
Do ask about minimum guest numbers you are required to pay for if you decide on this venue or what minimum spend exists (minimum spend is sometimes used by restaurant type venues who don’t mind how many guests or your choices but need you to hit an overall amount of revenue that they would expect to earn from hiring their venue exclusively to you for that certain date and time). Some venues charge venue hire and that is that but others charge a venue hire based on a minimum number of guests paying X for catering, so be sure you are clear on what the financial investment will be (including VAT) from the outset. It’s all very normal to have some kind of minimum as at the end of the day, the venue knows how much revenue they need to earn to maintain their building, keep it running and in great condition, provide the staff for your wedding pre-planning and on the day and plenty more.
5. Corkage and Drinks Service Charge
Sometimes the purchasing of wines and bar drinks through the venue is an essential part of your wedding booking and corkage (so that you can bring in your own choices) can be seen as a prohibitively expensive option. On other occasions venues are happy that you bring in your own drinks directly or via your caterer, sometimes charging a service fee for things like refrigeration, glassware, removing empties etc – it really depends on how that venue is structured in terms of a business; there is no right or wrong but just ensure that if you’re wanting to manage the choice of drinks entirely (I wouldn’t recommend it, there’s a lot to sort to stock a full bar) that you have a venue who can offer it or that the corkage fee is within your budget. So I hope your head doesn’t hurt now but that you feel empowered to ask the right questions to ensure the venue you’re choosing is absolutely spot-on for you. The right venue should spell out a lot of the above but if you’re not clear, they should be helpful and friendly in explaining their policies to you and why (and these things should be in their proposal or T&Cs), so don’t be afraid to ask. And happy planning, with the perfect venue booked and secured, you can enjoy the creative process and all the gorgeous wedding details, ideas and professionals to help you bring your glorious day to life.
Thank you once again Kelly for enlightening us on the not-to-be-forgotten and not-so-obvious points we need to raise with a wedding venue before booking. We are sure that our Ananya readers will find these tips very helpful.
If you’re an established or start up wedding venue and would like to know more about working with Kelly Chandler Consulting to elevate your offering and achieve greater success, do take a look at www.kellychandlerconsulting.co.uk or call 01483 282858 for details of their consulting and training programmes.
If you are looking for stationery ideas, please have a look at our wedding collections.
Photo Credits:
Venue: Warmwell House, Dorset: https://www.warmwell-house.com
Photography: Imogen Xiana https://www.imogenxiana.com
Florals: https://www.marthaandthemeadow.com
Cakes: https://www.fanciebuns.co.uk
Bridal Accessories, Hair and Make up: http://www.victoriafergusson.co.uk
Model (bride): http://www.tanyalouisecumberland.com
Bridal gowns: http://www.naomineoh.com
Silk ribbons and silk runner: http://www.pompomblossom.com
Cross back chairs & wooden bar unit for cake/champagne station: http://dpmarquees.co.uk