I am reviewing my contract with my wedding venue and feel really uneasy about the statement below that's in my contract. Is it reasonable for me to ask them to remove it?
VENUE NAME reserves the right to relocate this event to another room should the original estimate of attendance or room set-up be altered, or as deemed necessary by VENUE NAME management for the optimal use of banquet space.Client set-up times are contingent upon availability and may be altered as is deemed necessary by VENUE NAME to maximize revenue.
It's totally reasonable to ask them to remove it. You're planning an event and you need to know exactly which room it's going to be in (your decorations and such will be based on that). It would be so stressful to discover a day before the wedding that you are going to be in a room you hadn't planned on.
If all the rooms are similar, it may not be an issue, or if you have no strong preference, it may still not be an issue. But if you want something in particular, be sure to get that in the contract.
I think other places have done something similar. Its part of their contract, and they are not required to change it, hence the reason for the contract....as it states they want to maximize their revenue. Other venues do it differently, like ours had a minimum amount we had to spend on food & beverage. But they all do it in some way or another. I would just be wary; if you are planning on being far off from the room capacity, you may want to think of another venue.
If they won't remove it just because you ask them to, ask if you can insert a clause about minimum spending. That way, they can be assured they'll make a certain amount from the room that night, and you can be assured that you'll get THAT room. They really just want something in there to make sure you don't suddenly change your 150-person wedding to a 50-person wedding, and take up their big room while spending practically nothing on food/alcohol.
You could ask them to provide an addendum so that you could have a timeframe specified in which they would need to notify you of any changes. That way you'll be provided with enough time to make any changes. Otherwise, I think they have that clause in the contract for their own benefit and may be reluctant to change it.
I would not agree to a contract that left me powerless to decide something as fundamental as the venue, so definitely ask them to remove the clause or take your business elsewhere. unless of course you won't be unhappy if they excercise this right!
Mine had that in my contract as well- basically it is there because say, for example the room has capacity for 100 and you invite 200... there is no way- by law- they can accommodate that number of people. They have to follow fire codes and what not. As long as you maintain the rules, then they wouldn't move you.
Anyhow, the second part "Client set-up times are contingent upon availability and may be altered as is deemed necessary by VENUE NAME to maximize revenue" get a TIME in writing. My venue said all along that I had ALL day to set up and there would be no problem... and that I would likely be able to come in the night before and hang my lanterns (you know those little white ones). Well they booked another wedding for the night before two weeks before my wedding and then said they wouldn't allow me to come in and set up until at least 12. I was pissed off to say the least. All day to me means 7am man.
I don't really see why it's a problem. They put that in there to protect themselves if you suddenly go from 100 to 300. They have to worry about space, fire code, etc. It's not unreasonable.
REMOVE! If YOUR numbers change then you can talk at that time. I assume you are giving a deposit and that should bloody well reserve the space--now if they want to offer you a BETTER space at some future date--they could ask, you could agree. Make your FI the bad guy--have him call or your mom or dad-you dont need this level of bartering in your psyche!
I am reviewing my contract with my wedding venue and feel really uneasy about the statement below that's in my contract. Is it reasonable for me to ask them to remove it?
VENUE NAME reserves the right to relocate this event to another room should the original estimate of attendance or room set-up be altered, or as deemed necessary by VENUE NAME management for the optimal use of banquet space. Client set-up times are contingent upon availability and may be altered as is deemed necessary by VENUE NAME to maximize revenue.
posted by orachelo 2 posts 3 months agoIt's totally reasonable to ask them to remove it. You're planning an event and you need to know exactly which room it's going to be in (your decorations and such will be based on that). It would be so stressful to discover a day before the wedding that you are going to be in a room you hadn't planned on.
If all the rooms are similar, it may not be an issue, or if you have no strong preference, it may still not be an issue. But if you want something in particular, be sure to get that in the contract.
posted by bluegreenjean 118 posts 3 months agoI think other places have done something similar. Its part of their contract, and they are not required to change it, hence the reason for the contract....as it states they want to maximize their revenue. Other venues do it differently, like ours had a minimum amount we had to spend on food & beverage. But they all do it in some way or another. I would just be wary; if you are planning on being far off from the room capacity, you may want to think of another venue.
posted by dreambml 425 posts 3 months agoIf they won't remove it just because you ask them to, ask if you can insert a clause about minimum spending. That way, they can be assured they'll make a certain amount from the room that night, and you can be assured that you'll get THAT room. They really just want something in there to make sure you don't suddenly change your 150-person wedding to a 50-person wedding, and take up their big room while spending practically nothing on food/alcohol.
posted by tanya2s 276 posts 3 months agoYou could ask them to provide an addendum so that you could have a timeframe specified in which they would need to notify you of any changes. That way you'll be provided with enough time to make any changes. Otherwise, I think they have that clause in the contract for their own benefit and may be reluctant to change it.
posted by mspomegranate 21 posts 3 months agoI would not agree to a contract that left me powerless to decide something as fundamental as the venue, so definitely ask them to remove the clause or take your business elsewhere. unless of course you won't be unhappy if they excercise this right!
posted by MsPopcorn 104 posts 3 months agoMine had that in my contract as well- basically it is there because say, for example the room has capacity for 100 and you invite 200... there is no way- by law- they can accommodate that number of people. They have to follow fire codes and what not. As long as you maintain the rules, then they wouldn't move you.
Anyhow, the second part "Client set-up times are contingent upon availability and may be altered as is deemed necessary by VENUE NAME to maximize revenue" get a TIME in writing. My venue said all along that I had ALL day to set up and there would be no problem... and that I would likely be able to come in the night before and hang my lanterns (you know those little white ones). Well they booked another wedding for the night before two weeks before my wedding and then said they wouldn't allow me to come in and set up until at least 12. I was pissed off to say the least. All day to me means 7am man.
posted by babagrlshell 388 posts 3 months agoI don't really see why it's a problem. They put that in there to protect themselves if you suddenly go from 100 to 300. They have to worry about space, fire code, etc. It's not unreasonable.
posted by saltyveruca 61 posts 3 months agoI wouldn't sign it unless it says that if you meet a minumum # guests/$$ then they agree they won't change rooms on you
posted by Janna19 340 posts 3 months agoREMOVE! If YOUR numbers change then you can talk at that time. I assume you are giving a deposit and that should bloody well reserve the space--now if they want to offer you a BETTER space at some future date--they could ask, you could agree. Make your FI the bad guy--have him call or your mom or dad-you dont need this level of bartering in your psyche!
posted by ju1244 254 posts 3 months agoThis is very helpful thank you!!!
posted by orachelo 2 posts 3 months ago