Alliey+Co (formally sash&bow) offers a wide variety of event and wedding planning needs. Our team of
03/19/2025
There are a lot of misconceptions about venues lately. I saw the news this morning about a venue closing in Milwaukee & recent questions on local wedding pages about catering fees, etc. The wedding planner in me has to try and help.
Engaged couples, a few tips/explanations:
- Read your contract for all fees/ask all questions before signing a contract.
- A venue can charge any price for services or products that they wish - a venue is a business. If it is NOT in your contract you are not liable to pay it. If a venue chooses to charge more for something than you can do it yourself for, then of course do it yourself and don't pay them. I would think of this as a car wash at home versus PAYING someone for the service they provide.
- Kitchen Use Fees or Catering Charge. At venues that do not offer food service, you will see this fee. Even county parks charge this! At our venue, we charge 15%. Why? What does it cover? Our fee covers items we provide for the caterer: cleaning supplies, trash disposal, ice, trays, jacks, and bussing bins). If your venue isn't being upfront about this they are probably getting a kickback from the caterers you are required to use in their space đ
- Service Charge. Have y'all been out to eat and had a group of 8 or more? This is the exact same thing! Service Charges cover the overhead of the food/beverage being served as well as gratuity to staffing. This is in all contracts!
- Regarding venues in general. It is a GREAT question to ask if the venue owns the building or is rented. If rented evictions can happen - like what we all saw on the news this morning. I have been approached to expand and rent spaces and for this VERY REASON I will not.
Brides & Grooms - a wedding is the biggest event you will likely ever throw. You have to be aware of the contracts you are entering into and ask ALL the questions. By all means, if you get an invoice & have a question ASK before paying it so you understand.
Wedding vendors are in this difficult business because they LOVE serving and making your day the MOST beautiful and memorable day it can be. They are ON YOUR SIDE. The wedding industry keeps getting hit hard with harsh social media rants. The business owners are people, they provide for their families from doing this work.
Let's keep the love flowing in the love industry đ
