Post # 1
Member
79 posts
Worker bee
Hello bees! I’m in the very, very early stages of wedding planning, but I have a solid list of possible venues I’ve researched. Most of these have prices online (or at least a breakdown of rental fees, food & beverage minimums, etc.), but of course I know the most accurate way to find out the price is to request a quote based on my date and guest count.
My question is: Did you request a quote before touring your venues? Or did you get a price after seeing the place in person?
I was thinking I’d request a quote and then, if it’s in the ballpark I budgeted for, schedule a tour. I don’t want to set my heart on a place that ends up being out of my budget, but I also don’t want to waste anyone’s time calculating a quote if I end up not liking the venue. I need guidance, please!
Post # 2
Member
8134 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I got an idea of pricing ahead of time. IMO it would be far more devastating for me to fall in love with something I couldn’t afford than for someone to forward me a price list and I end up not going for it.
Post # 3
Member
1385 posts
Bumble bee
Get pricing first, seems like you would be setting yourself up for a let down if you were to love a venue that you couldn’t afford. Don’t feel bad about asking for a quote ahead of time, that’s what they are they for to answer all types of questions to see if it would be a good fit for the costomer.
Post # 4
Member
9358 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
gryffindork75 : I tried to but many of the potential venues wouldn’t provide pricing over the phone so I did a couple tours just to be able to get numbers. It was really frustrating because one was over budget and, despite what they said on the phone, couldn’t actually accomodate our ceremony. It was such a waste of time. The only semi-upside was that they mailed us cookies as a thank you lol. Except without a nut warning which gave my husband an allergic reaction. Luckily his allergy is not severe and I enjoyed the rest of the box, but still not really giving me much confidence in their catering staff especially considering they had a $40k food minimum (not including booze) for a Saturday night!
Post # 5
Member
167 posts
Blushing bee
We got pricing ahead of time on all of our venues and I’m really glad that we did it that way. It made it really easy to weed out things that were over our budget. We emailed quite a few venues for pricing!
My husband and I have pretty busy schedules so I didn’t want to waste time looking at places that would end up being out of our price range. Emailing several venues for quotes also gave me some ideas of things to ask on actual venue tours as well. Each venue seemed to have different inclusions and rules about decorating, food, etc. It was helpful to see everything at a glace ahead of time 🙂
Post # 6
Member
2004 posts
Buzzing bee
Agree with the pp’s….get the quote first.
Post # 7
Member
465 posts
Helper bee
Quote first so you aren’t wasting time with the tour if it turns out to be out of price range.
Post # 9
Member
1600 posts
Bumble bee
I sourced suitable spots, then requested pricing and availability, viewing after as we narrowed down..
Post # 10
Member
10355 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
I didn’t tour any venues where prices weren’t transparent and posted online.
Post # 11
Member
7530 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
Get the quote first. There’s no sense in visiting and falling love with a venue in person only for it to be out of your budget.
Post # 12
Member
79 posts
Worker bee
LilliV : This is what I wondered, if some venues (especially if they’re in high demand) wouldn’t provide prices unless I showed serious interest. I’m sorry that happened to you!
Post # 13
Member
79 posts
Worker bee
faithtrustpixiedust : This is another concern. My FH gets off work late at night and needs to sleep during the day, so if we’re taking the time to visit a venue, I want us to be serious about it.
Post # 14
Member
79 posts
Worker bee
Thank you all so much! I appreciate your perspectives.
I plan to wait until next month (since I’m sure some venues will change their prices for 2020) to double check the prices posted online, then get a quote for venues I’m seriously interested in. Then based on that info, I can schedule tours.
Thanks again for your help!
Post # 15
Member
114 posts
Blushing bee
I also got a bunch of quotes first before scheduling a tour. Some places were kind of vague about their prices so most were just ballpark estimates! We didn’t want to waste time touring a place that was out of our budget, so it helped to get an idea first.
