Here are ten examples of hidden costs associated with wedding venues.
Cake cutting costs
It might not sound like a particularly expensive task, but many venues charge you for the labour involved in slicing up your cake, serving it to your guests, and washing up afterwards. They may also charge you to hire a cake stand or special knife so make sure you know these costs upfront
Service charge
The waiters and waitresses, bar staff, and attendants at your wedding venue may be expecting a tip after your reception. Check whether your venue has included a service charge in their quote, and if not ask how much you should add on to cover tips.
Cloakroom facilities
If you are having a winter wedding, your guests will need somewhere safe they can leave their coats, and most venues have a dedicated cloakroom area that needs to be manned by at least one attendant. Find out whether you or your guests will be expected to pay for this, and what the cost will be.
Car park facilities
As well as checking that your venue has enough parking spaces for all of your guests, you will need to find out whether there is a cost associated with them. If you are hiring an upmarket venue they may offer valet parking. In this case make sure you know the costs of this and warn your guests in advance.
Sound equipment
If you are hiring a band or DJ for your wedding reception, the quote they give you will include their time and a certain amount of equipment. However, depending on the size of your wedding venue, additional speakers, microphones or amplifiers may be necessary to achieve a good quality of sound. Your venue probably already has these available but they may charge you for the set up and use of them.
Corkage
If you can get a good deal on wine and champagne outside of your wedding venue, it can be considerably cheaper than buying from the venue direct. However, you should check what the corkage charge will be on each bottle as this can send the cost per bottle through the roof.
Wedding hire transport
If you are hiring furniture to use at your wedding venue such as a marquee, chairs and tables, you will probably be quoted a hire price for these items. It is worth checking that this includes delivery to the venue and set up, however, as these costs are occasionally omitted and can be quite considerable. If you are choosing to hire furniture instead of using what is provided by your venue, make sure that they aren’t going to charge you for storing their own furniture.
Early or late access
Perhaps you want to get into your reception rooms a couple of hours early to decorate them, or maybe the reception is going so well that you want the party to continue for an extra hour or two. Check what the possibilities are with your venue and see how much they will charge you for additional access to the rooms.
Store room
It is always useful to have a secure store room at your wedding venue for wedding gifts, bridal party gifts, your bouquet, and your honeymoon luggage if you are leaving right away. Your venue may offer a storeroom as part of your wedding package, but make sure this is stated in your venue contract.
Health and safety costs
Health and safety regulations may lead to hidden venue costs such as an onsite fire marshal, security staff, and liability insurances. Find out what is needed at your particular venue, and the number of guests you are having, as well as how you will be charged for these.