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Curious September 2022 Cambridgeshire

Damage Deposit

Lisa, 9 July, 2021 at 09:38 Posted on Planning 0 13

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Hello, my partner and I are currently planning a micro wedding (6 ish guests) for next autumn. The micro part is mostly because of the costs, which we're trying to keep low, and also to keep it intimate.

We've found a venue that we love who can accommodate a wedding of our size (not many can) however their communication has been slow/poor, with dates and money being chopped and changed. We've disregarded these issues so far because we can't find anywhere else we like as much which can accommodate us, however now we've moved to paying the deposit and have received the invoice, on there is an additional £1000 damage deposit charge to be paid a week before the wedding, which we'd get back (as long as there's no damage to the property of course) a week after. We were surprised by this, partly because there was no mention prior, and also because the cost of hiring the venue is only £2300. Money is tight, and a £1000 is a lot of money, which we wouldn't be able to use for our honeymoon, that we would need to save, and not have access to for 2 weeks.
Is this excessive, should we try and negotiate it down, or take this as the last straw and look elsewhere? Or is this totally normal and something we should be building in to our costing?
TIA

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13 replies

Latest activity by WilliamLewis, 11 April, 2023 at 20:50

Genius July 2020 Monmouthshire
RomanticGreenStationery27135 · 9 July, 2021 at 10:23
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I would look elsewhere - that is a ridiculously large damage deposit to charge in the first place for what is basically a ceremony and dinner for 6 people! That, combined with the poor communication & constant changes make me wonder if they don't really want your business - they're certainly not acting that fussed about keeping it!
Would you consider having the ceremony at your local registry office/church and then just booking a nice restaurant for a meal? We got very frustrated looking for venues for our small reception, and found much more success when we started looking at booking small function rooms in local pubs, rather than looking at the traditional 'wedding venues' (we got married in a church)
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Curious September 2022 Cambridgeshire
Lisa · 9 July, 2021 at 10:56
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Thank you. I should also mention that the price includes our accomodation, and we can add guest accomodation on at a price per room as well, not sure if that changes anything with the deposit. I do worry that as we're having a small, week day wedding, we're not as important/a bit of an inconvenience compared to those spending much more.

Thanks for your advice ref the registry office then meal, we did discuss that, my partner wants somewhere really special, as he feels we'll regret it if we do something more low key. It's hard, because we really fell in love with this venue and started to picture it all, so it's tough to move on from it!
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Super January 3000 Leicestershire
PhotographybyBillHaddon · 9 July, 2021 at 11:26
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It does seem a bit high but maybe its just a standard charge that they have set up and have all the paperwork for rather than having lots of different charges depending on the amount of people.
Sometimes deposits like this are dealt with via a charge on a credit card- in your case for upto £1000 that isn't carried out unless it is needed. So you don't actually have to hand over any money.
Damage deposits are common with venues and I am surprised it wasn't mentioned until later. it has been reported on here about money being held back by a venue because they found an empty booze bottle and wanted to keep a corcage charge. Or if they say no confetti and you through it - a charge to clean it up,
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Curious September 2022 Cambridgeshire
Lisa · 9 July, 2021 at 11:42
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Thank you for your input, much appreciated. Does make sense ref them not having multiple charges for varying sizes, just was a bit of a shock as wasn't mentioned until this point.

I believe it would be a transfer rather than a ring fence on card (which I'd be more ok with I think) as the terms stipulate that the damage deposit of £1000 is to be paid by cleared funds one week prior then refunded providing no damages, breach of terms or additional cleaning, etc, required
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Super January 3000 Leicestershire
PhotographybyBillHaddon · 9 July, 2021 at 11:54
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Might be worth an ask if they can do it via credit card. Seems more of a faf for them having to issue a refund everytime rather than just not carry out the card payment.
Maybe they have credit card charges even though they do not actually carry out a transaction.
Many years ago before it was electronic credit card payments were done by a little machine that ran over it and pressed the card number into a copy paper receipt that got sent to your card company, so in a deposit scenario the docket would just get ripped up if not needed.
That's why the numbers are still raised on your cards today I think - have a look.
Sorry went off track !
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Super January 3000 Leicestershire
PhotographybyBillHaddon · 9 July, 2021 at 11:59
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Maybe you could ask them if they can release the deposit sooner.
It sounds like an independent manor house type place. There was one I shot at that did not allow stilettos on their oak floor. Part of the deal when you open your house up to weddings.
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Curious September 2022 Cambridgeshire
Lisa · 9 July, 2021 at 12:01
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Thank you, if we decide to go with them I will ask about the credit card ring fence option
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Curious September 2022 Cambridgeshire
Lisa · 9 July, 2021 at 12:06
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Spot on, it is a very old manor house, which they rent out as accomodation and in the last year or so a wedding venue. I've read some TripAdvisor reviews for people using it as accomodation only, and they were stung by charges for some marks on the carpet. It's not designed for weddings as it genuinely is a beautiful old property, so I can understand their worry with maintaining it, but I don't know if we'd be on edge the whole night. We're even joking we probably shouldn't have red wine if we use this place just in case!

Part of why we liked it was the authenticity and look/feel, it's very beautiful, but there's pros and cons to it not being geared up properly as a commercial wedding venue I suppose
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Super January 3000 Leicestershire
PhotographybyBillHaddon · 9 July, 2021 at 12:18
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Accidents happen - especially when had a few drinks. So apart from any of the poor communication - chopping and changing (all clues to an independent not set up for weddings venue) I wouldn't let any of that put you off but could you really relax if they are that strict about things knowing that they have your £1000.
Speaking to a chair cover company they said the most amount of marks they get on their covers is from shoe polish from mens shoes catching the chair leg that has the cover over it. Easily done on soft furnishings.
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Curious September 2022 Cambridgeshire
Lisa · 9 July, 2021 at 14:20
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Thank you, need to keep thinking. A part of me thinks that if we want somewhere beautiful and old, as is our style, then we might just have to suck it all up and be extra careful, that or change direction completely. Tough one!
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Dedicated May 2022
HappyGoldBridesmaid18836 · 10 July, 2021 at 06:25
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Sounds like it’s an ideal venue for you in terms of it’s feel but I guess it comes down to whether you would feel comfortable and be able to relax on the day.
If the worst did happen and there was any damage you may not get that money back.
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Dedicated May 2022 Berkshire
Richard · 12 July, 2021 at 20:42
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Is the deposit in your contract?
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Curious September 2022 Cambridgeshire
Lisa · 12 July, 2021 at 21:12
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It is, a copy of that has only just been sent through for the first time along with the booking form and invoice though. It states that we're responsible for any and all damages, and if we.ornour guests check out late, then they'll deduct £100 per hour from that damage deposit to cover this also
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