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The Wedding Singer

Venue still not releasing prices / booking for 2015. I smell a rat. What do we think??

The Wedding Singer, 13 September, 2013 at 10:27 Posted on Planning 0 11

Hi all

I have a lovely lady who has recently enquired about my services for her wedding in 2015. She's really keen to go ahead but can't because she's still waiting to confirm her date, and her venue are refusing to book it becuase they haven't put together their prices for 2015!

Now, as suppliers will readily tell you, 2015 is starting to fill up now, particualrly those popular Summer Saturdays. 2015 is certainly not a long way away in the wedding world!

I just hope the venue isn't in trouble and are cautious about booking ahead for that reason. We've had 2 very high profile venue closures where I'm based in Staffordshire and always hate to see others go down the same route elsewhere.

What do we all think? Has anyone else experienced this booking for 2015? How far in adviance did your venue 'release' their dates?

I must add that I don't 'release' dates at all, nor do my supplier friends. I book dates indefinitely, mainly becuase I intend to carry on doing my job indefinitely! I've heard the 'I don't know how much petrol will cost then' reason before, but I don't think this will have a massive affect - maybe £10 - £20 at the most.

Be interested to know what everyone thinks?

James ?

11 replies

Latest activity by JanetheDane, 20 September, 2013 at 16:15
  • DaffodilWaves
    DaffodilWaves ·
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    Hmmm never heard this before but wouldn't necessarily think the worst. It's not far away your right so I'd imagine they'd want to start filling those dates pretty soon though.

    If they are in trouble then it's good they are not taking peoples money in the hope they are 'OK' in 2015. I'd be more concerned if they were taking deposits but weren't handing over contracts.

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  • The Wedding Singer
    The Wedding Singer ·
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    Yes, definitley agreed that it's good that there are not taking deposits etc if they are unsure about the future. Just a shame, if this is the case, that people may miss out on booking other suppliers in the meantime.

    I don't what the venue is, I guess it could even be a village / community hall that doesn't do lots of weddings and therefore doesn't plan ahead as much.

    Fingers crosssed it'll all pan out anyway Smiley smile

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  • DaffodilWaves
    DaffodilWaves ·
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    Yes this is a concern if they are hanging on for the venue to release figures.

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  • kharv
    Beginner March 2012
    kharv ·
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    I'm bridesmaid for my friend who is getting married in March 2015. She's only just booked because her venue have just released their prices.

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  • The Wedding Singer
    The Wedding Singer ·
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    Ahh that's good to hear. Hopefully it's not so unusual then...

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  • mickeyandminnie
    Beginner July 2015
    mickeyandminnie ·
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    Our wedding hotel won't release prices either until 2014 Smiley sad

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  • icklesal
    Beginner April 2015
    icklesal ·
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    Getting married in 2015, booked it in early 2012. Prices were set for 2015.

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  • overtherainbow
    overtherainbow ·
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    I will be releasing my prices for 2015 next month. It's a fine balance really because when suppliers have to buy stock/food/ingredients etc to provide their service, and this affects venues to a greater degree than most other wedding suppliers, it's extremely difficult to estimate what prices will be in two years time. You only have to look at how much the cost of food has gone up in the last 12 months alone and also the rise in energy , water bills and insurance costs to understand how cautious venues have to be when predicting their prices. I know a lot of venues don't guarantee their prices even after booking but some do.

    Most other wedding suppliers, myself included, also guarantee prices once a booking is made so you have to gauge prices that won't leave you out of pocket in two years' time and open your books when people are showing interest in booking for 2015. I don't think it's a case of 'smelling a rat' but more airing on the side of caution when prices are rising at such a fast rate at the moment. The system I use is when I get enquiries for weddings 2/3 years away, I take the customers details and email them to let them know that my prices aren't available as yet but I will put them on my mailing list so they receive a brochure and price list as soon as it becomes available. People generally seem happy with this.

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  • Sange!
    Beginner January 1997
    Sange! ·
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    I agree, RF; it's not like a tog who has a fairly fixed set of costs, other than inflation. It's just not as variable as catering. TBH, I'm less than happy with the scaremongery tone of the OP; it was almost inviting enquiries about which venue it was. Not very professional....

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  • The Wedding Singer
    The Wedding Singer ·
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    Yes hadn't thought about differing costs of food, drink etc as a big factor for venues. As you say suppliers such as myself, photographers etc only really have fuel to worry about. I've found out since that it's a golf club that doesn't hold too many weddings, which is another explaination why they wouldn't be as ahead with things as say a busy wedding only venue.

    I certainly didn't mean to scaremonger and would never name a venue. I've been a valuable member on this forum for almost 10 years now and have helped countless brides and grooms to be with all sorts of problems / questions. Being called 'unprofessional' doesn't seem particularly fair ☹️

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  • goldpants
    Beginner May 2014
    goldpants ·
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    Booked my venue in 2012 for 2014. got if for 2012 prices Smiley smile oooh i keep saying I am yet to have a bargain... maybe that was it thinking about it!

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  • J
    Beginner September 2015
    JanetheDane ·
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    The fairly new venue that we are thinking of using (www.elmorecourt.com) is releasing dates as far as 2016! Seems like it might be something you should maybe keep an eye on James. Good luck!

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