Venue raises prices...

[CortneyMcS]

Hi all,
I booked my wedding/reception site in April '08. My wedding is May '09, so it was 13 months before my wedding when I signed the contract.

The wording on my contract states "Prices subject to change without notice if venue booked more than 12 months before event" I asked the woman who booked out wedding about this, and she told me that it would only affect me if they made the changes prior to May 31, 2008 (1 year from the wedding). I was still concerned about any posinility of change, so I asked to make my meal choice and have that written into my contract. I was told it was not an option, but that I had absolutely nothing to worry about!

Well they did change the prices, in July, by $30 a plate! I was told that because my contract was signed more than one year out that the new prices would affect me. The woman who booked my wedding is no longer there. I can't afford the new prices. I will have to cut the list, which is not an option at this point.

I understand that if the prices were raised more than 12 months out, but they were raised 10 months out. What is stopping them from raising them 4 more times before my wedding? What options do I have?

Please help, I am so stressed about this!

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

Did you put money down or just sign the contract? Have you asked them nicely if there's anyway you can be "grandfathered" in at the old price? $30.00 a plate seems like QUITE the price increase. It might be different if it were $5.00 or something. If they won't work with you on the price, can you possibly change venues?

[WebLady]

I would not have signed a contract that basically said they could raise the prices on me. A signed contract should lock you in at the prices upon time of booking; at least that is how it is with most places I have every dealt with. This is also why many vendors I know don't book more than a year in advance of a date.

If the prices change where you can no longer afford them how the h3ll do they expect you to pay?! If the prices where that high when you booked you probably would have went elsewhere. I am sorry you are in this spot; I would look for a way out in the contract. Look for some sort of cancellation notice or something in the contract.

For future brides; I'd be sure to read all the fine print and get everything anyone says to you about your event (at least important things) in writing and signed by some "higer up" that you will be able to go to should something happen and not go as you had expected.

[gwenshack]

Unfortunately, they can raise the prices on you again, based on what you signed. In the future if changes are made orally to a contract or you receive a guarantee from someone orally you need to have them write that change or guarantee down. When that woman left you were left in a lurch - had she written something down for you the situation would be different and the venue would have to honor what their "agent" (the lady) promised you.
All you can do now is speak to somebody there and hope for mercy. What is the penalty for backing out of the contract? Do you lose a deposit? I would call them and politely explain to them your dilemma. Find out from them what they see your options to be. If you can cut the guest list that would be cool, but I can understand why you wouldn't want to. Maybe you can get them to compromise to maybe only upping it to $15 dollars a plate, or even honoring your original price.
I'm so sorry that you have to deal with this! I think most places will be willing to see your side and try to work with you - if not I would find out what the penalty will be to break the contract and move on to another venue.
Good luck!

[EarlyBird]

personally, i would go down there myself and speak with them face to face. It seems quite high but they can do it if it says it in the contract. however, the wording says if YOU signed more then 12 months in advance it could affect you, not that if THEY CHANGED it more then 12 months in advance... its unfortunate but how its done.. but maybe they want to go ahead and get the business in this bad economy rather then lose it.

[daisylor]

I think EarlyBird is right; go down there and talk to these folks face-to-face. A $30 increase that may not be their final increase is a lot of money. It also seems unethical. You signed a contract at one price and they want to raise that price just doesn't seem right. They don't realize the bad PR they are going to get once word gets out in your area?
Yes, I'd talk to them in person. You might want to remind them of that. Their reputation is at stake.

[candars]

I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this! I agree, I would go talk to them in person...see if they can lower the price or how much it will cost to back out of the contract. If you do go talk to them, whatever they say, I would make them sign something stating the changes in detail. That way, if you do decide to stick with them and they change it again, you have the documentation to back you up...good luck on this! :)

[RevMatty]

Having once worked as a chef I know the prices of food can go up extremely in just over a short period of time.
Plus I know all to well about contracts, and most once sign are legally binding. That's why I always advise my clients to ask questions of me about a particular part of my contract or seek a legal rep to review it.
Unfournate for you, they can continue to raise the price as much as they want if that's what the contract says. By then you could be paying $1000/plate if they wanted. I'd read over your contract and see about cancelation policy, worse case you may lose a deposit, but that could be better then using your honeymoon funds on the party.

[WeddingDesigner at ME Pro]

What type of venue are you dealing with? A hotel? Restaurant? Outside Caterer? Knowing the type of venue will help with advice on how to deal with them.

[crystalinephoto]

Wow! $30 more a plate seems a bit steep and they should know that someone who booked them for $30 less than what they want now probably won't be able to afford it! I would setup an appointment with them and talk it out. It sounds like they can do what they want, but so can you. You could forfeit your deposit and go elsewhere. Look at other venues and bring some price comparisons. If it's cheaper to forfeit your deposit and go somewhere else then tell them that or just do it. They may decide to work with you just because you are already on the books! And it's better for business to have a Happy bride than a pi$t off one going around telling everyone how awful they are.

[thegreatimponderablesband]

First of all, I appaled that someone thinks they can simply raise prices. Also, as a vendor that supplies contracts for my brides, there are certain rights and legalities that you have.

First of all, was you payment a "deposit" or a "downpayment"? How does your contract read. If it's a "deposit", you do have certain rights and you may not be legally bound. I don't care what they tell you, you may desire to seek legal action. There's also the possibility if it's a "deposit", they may be liable for the cost of finding you another venue for less than their contact and paying the difference.

I am not a lawyer, but I deal with professional contracts for people like Coca-Wells Fargo, The National Endowment for the Arts, and the list goes on. We are a professional events band. There are loopholes in wording of contracts that many of these wedding vendors make. You can use such to your advantage, especially in such and unfair situation.

DON'T GIVE UP!!! Such practices are often illegal, regardless of what a contract says or what the venue may say. Be persistent. Don't let them force you into this situation. Ask friends if they have any legal friends and pursue such acquaintences.

Often times people may say, "It's in the contract". However, contracts are often written by unskilled people with no legal background or training. So, just because that's what they wrote, it may not be binding.

Also, different states have different laws. I don't care who said what, often, a verbal agreement is binding. Period. Even if the party that made such a statement is gone.

State your case. Don't be pushed around. You are the bride. This is YOUR day! The venue MUST tell you the reason for the price increase. If they changed caterer's or chef's, this is of no concern to you. You hired a service for a specific amount. There must be a change in that service to show the increase. They can not arbitrarily increase the price. The increase must be justified and then only proportionately with any such changes, not an increase in the service cost.

DO NOT LISTEN to people that say, "It's in the contract". This is an out for them. You do have rights. Use them!!!

Please let me know how this turns out. You will be fine, regardless of what they tell you, if you stick to your guns.

[amunet]

I am so sorry you have to deal with this. To be safe you should have told that woman to add that part about only if the price changes more then 12 months out.

I too would talk to whoever I could at the venue and explain your case. My venue raised the price by $10 just this past month. We called the place, and the banquet manager said that we were locked in our old price, even though on the contract it does say they can raise the price. So I hope she doesn't go back on what she just told us, but you never know.

[wattsfilms]

I agree with most of the replies here - Your best bet is to go to the venue and speak directly with the person in charge. Calmly explain your circumstances and request that they make some allowances for your situation.

However, if that doesn't work, you may want to have an attorney take a look at the contract you signed. The fact that the contract contains unspecific phrasing (essentially allowing the venue to raise the prices as many times as they please) may actually render the entire contract unenforceable and at the very least you could get your deposit back.

Good luck.

[Katiegirl]

I am so sorry you have to deal with this. To be safe you should have told that woman to add that part about only if the price changes more then 12 months out.

I too would talk to whoever I could at the venue and explain your case. My venue raised the price by $10 just this past month. We called the place, and the banquet manager said that we were locked in our old price, even though on the contract it does say they can raise the price. So I hope she doesn't go back on what she just told us, but you never know.


I would ask her to put that in writing!!! CYA! :)

[adrianna918]

wow. I signed my contract and put a deposit down 17 months prior to the wedding date. I was locked in at that current price. I would think it should be the price you sign at is what you get no matter when you sign.

[diannecater4u]

As a caterer for the past 19 years and former owner of 2 venues, I would suggest that you do the following as soon as possible.

1. Call and make an appointment
2. Bring all paperwork you have with you to the appointment.
3. Explain your dilemna in detail.
4. Listen to their side of their policy.
5. Ask for a reduction of your menu choices, or to change your level of service.
6. Be very complimentary and tell them how they were your first choice and that is why you booked so far out, and how it will be a burden to have to pay more than what you planned, that you understand that prices go up on food, but you will try a lesser menu.
7. Keep the faith!!

Over the years, when a situation came up and the bride followed all the above steps, we always worked with her. Sometimes, we felt better and like we were the good guys to just be able to still accomodate her!

Good Luck......Dianne

[Bruce Stenman]

I suspect it is of little comfort but there are many venues that have gone out of business in the last 6 months and none of the deposit money is being returned to couples. In some cases venues accepted deposits 30 days before closing their doors for good, knowing full well what they were doing.

The one thing I advise my clients is that with venues they need to get everything in writing. Often a sales rep will make a commitment and yet the day of the wedding they are not even working for the venue. The turnover in the hospitality business is incredible and I have two couples now with weddings coming up this summer that are already on their third rep for their venues.

The venues that are still in business realize that with so many competitors going out of business that the demand outstrips the supply and many are gouging their customers even more than usual. One thing you can do is check the laws in your state. In California it is illegal for a venue to not permit a couple to use another caterer so long as they have a state health license. Couple have to pay a usage fee to the venue for the kitchen area but they still can save a lot of money.