Open Question: Should They Book?
September 1st, 2006 @ 9:21 am by Open Question
We are in a slight dilemma and was wondering if the Weddingbee community can help. We are about 90% sure about booking our reception site (gorgeous views, great location, etc). The only hesitation thus far has been not being able to see the completed ballroom which is still under construction. We contacted the catering manager and told him that we did not want to sign a contract until we have the chance to do a walk through of the completed space (around early October). He said he completely understands. The snafu is he said someone else is also interested in the venue for the same day. If we were to request a contract, it will only buy us two weeks until we need to decide and even then, would be about a month out from the completion date. Also, we would be out the deposit (25% of the expected cost of the reception) if we sign and subsequently back out.
What should we do?
Thanks,
Nhi
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9 Responses to “Open Question: Should They Book?”
what Holly says is exactly what i was going to suggest. Utterly reasonable and entirely to be expected. You would have to be very clear on the wording so that there are no remnants of construction work or associated blips in the room, as well as the definition of ‘completed’ may be - it may have a roof but no paint on the walls - be crystal clear and maybe get a lawyer involved so they can’t schnook out of what they say they are going to do.
I also agree with Helen. Also, ask to see the blueprints of the construction so you can get a general idea of what the space will look like. If the over all place is gorgeous, the new space will probably fall right into place, but you can never be too safe.
Good luck!
I wouldn’t book it - my experience with construction is that it is never finished on time, meaning years - I signed a contract for a condo that was new construction in the winter of 2004 and it still isn’t finished, despite promises that it would be done in spring 2005. Luckily I was able to get out of that… wedding planning is different, however… you want to book someplace and have PEACE OF MIND that it is final once you do it - trust me! Planning is hectic and stressful and the last thing you want to do is worry that you don’t have a venue. Keep looking… I am sure there is someplace else that it beautiful, in your price range, and built!!! Good luck…
Hmmmm….honestly, if the venue is that gorgeous, I would think that the ballroom wouldn’t look trashy or bad or anything…although, I don’t know if I would book, still…and they might be saying that there’s another couple interested to persuade you???
Oh, I guess I should have mentioned the following: My wedding is not until next year, the venue is slated to be finished this October (with an event scheduled 10.13 so they HAVE to be done). My worry was that this alleged bride ( K, I’m thinking the same thing, that maybe he is just turning up the pressure and saying someone else is interested) will take the date.
Thanks, ladies for your advice. This is why this community is awesome! 
Always,
Nhi
Don’t give in to the pressure. Ask if you can wait to sign until you see the completed ballroom in six weeks… just because they have something scheduled doesn’t mean it will be finished, unfortunately… you have every right to see the finished product and if it doesn’t work it, it probably wasn’t meant to be… and you have PLENTY of time to book it!
i also agree with holly… we actually booked our church 5-6 months inadvance… they were underconstruction… it was a new church…
long story short… the church was ready to go, but they did not have all their permits… so month before the wedding we had to call all our guest to tell them the ceremony was going to be at the reception site…
Open Question
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I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV. But, I would think that you could resonably request an out in the contract (with full financial reimbursement) if construction is not completed with a certificate of occupancy received from the state (within x amount of time before your wedding). This may not help a situation if they for some reason put in a hideous carpet or whatever, but at least it will protect you from losing a deposit on a place that never gets finished. It should be a clause that they would agree to easily if they are that close to being finished.