How far in advance should you book a wedding venue?

annersinoz

Hi just wondering how far in advance you should book your wedding venue?

we are looking to get married in may 2013 but are currently living overseas and won't be home until April next year, we really want to look at venues before booking but are worried a year in advance is not long enough, we are pretty flexible and happy to have a midweek wedding!

Any advice./thoughts are appreciated!

Teyla Emmagan

You'll be fine. If you had your heart set on somewhere in particular I'd say book it immediately, but as things are even in a year's time you will have your choice of venues. Especially if you are willing to take mid week. I wouldn't worry about it in the slightest. Also, if you book something now they could well be gone out of business (with your deposit) in two years time, so if I were you I'd hold your horses a bit

Heineken Helen

I'd completely agree with Teyla. We booked a year in advance. Some of the Saturdays were booked up but we'd no problem with pretty much any other day... and that was in all the hotels we looked in.

BC

You'll be fine.
We booked 9 months in advance and got a saturday no problem. We knew what month we wanted but we were flexible on the actual date. Unless you have a really specific date in mind I wouldn't worry about it.

thumper10

we're provisionally booked our, its during christmas so wanted a particular date, think it depends on when you want it and how important the date is, and if its a busy time of year, ie bank holidays etc.....
holding off paying a deposit though until they come looking for one;)

Betsie_xr3i

im getting married in april 2013 and have the hotel booked already, but then again i like to be organised, we booked a mid week wedding and some of the dates were already booked up,

annersinoz

Thanks everyone, yes i think because we can be flexible, pretty much happy to do anytime in early may we should hopefully be fine. i think i would be happier to wait and see the venues rather than booking one that i haven't visited and then being disappointed.

Dostoevsky

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

You'll be fine. If you had your heart set on somewhere in particular I'd say book it immediately, but as things are even in a year's time you will have your choice of venues. Especially if you are willing to take mid week. I wouldn't worry about it in the slightest. Also, if you book something now they could well be gone out of business (with your deposit) in two years time, so if I were you I'd hold your horses a bit

Just for the record, pay your deposit with your credit card because if they go out of business your credit card will probably have a "chargeback" facility which can refund you the deposit. This should be highlighted more.

I read it in The Irish Times: Buyers Beware: company closures can cost you (25 April 2011)

gimmick

If its 2013, just get it done before the raft of engagemts which happen every Christmas.

Pay your deposit by credit card. That way iof they do go belly up, you can get your money back.

thumper10

thanks for the credit card advise, i'll be taking note of that one, never even thought of it, and getting a letter from hotel to guarantee return of deposit is one to remember, cheers:D

the_syco

thumper10 wrote: »

getting a letter from hotel to guarantee return of deposit is one to remember, cheers:D

Question: if the hotel goes under, who will honour the letter?