5 Venue Lies You’ve Been Told (And What to Actually Look For)
Look, we're not here to throw shade at other venues (okay, maybe a little). But after hosting 80+ weddings a year, over the last 13 years, we've heard every horror story, every "wait, WHAT?" moment, and every regret from couples who didn't know what questions to ask.
So consider this your cheat sheet. The insider info. The stuff other venues hope you don't figure out until after you've signed the contract.
Lie #1: "Our venue fee is only $X"
Cool. But what's not included in that price?
The cleaning fee? The staff? The coordination? The insurance? The cake-cutting fee (yes, that's a thing)?
Some venues lowball the hire fee and then nickel-and-dime you with add-ons that weren't in the brochure. Always ask for the total cost breakdown, not just the shiny number on the website.
What to actually look for: A venue that tells you upfront what's included and what's extra. Transparency isn't sexy, but surprise invoices are way worse.
Lie #2: "You can bring any vendor you want"
Sure you can. As long as they're on our Preferred Vendor List. And oh, by the way, if you go rogue, there's a $500 "external vendor fee."
Some venues lock you into their mates or charge you for the privilege of choosing your own. That's not freedom, that's a shakedown.
What to actually look for: Ask if there are vendor restrictions, fees, or required suppliers. A good venue will have recommendations, not requirements.
Lie #3: "We're a blank canvas"
Translation: We've got four white walls and a concrete floor. Good luck making that look like Pinterest.
A blank canvas sounds romantic until you realise you need to hire (and pay for) every single thing: chairs, tables, lighting, décor, florals, linens, glassware, the lot.
What to actually look for: A venue with bones. Character. Something that already looks good before you spend $10k on styling. You want a venue that does half the work for you.
Lie #4: "We can fit 150 guests, no problem"
Yeah, if you're cool with everyone eating with their elbows tucked and dancing in a conga line.
Capacity numbers can be... optimistic. Some venues count "maximum occupancy" (aka sardines), not "comfortable celebration capacity."
What to actually look for: Ask how many guests they've actually hosted for a seated reception with a dance floor. And ask to see photos. If they hesitate, that's your answer.
Lie #5: "The photos on our website are from real weddings here"
Sometimes. Other times it's a styled shoot. Or a wedding from 2015. Or, and this is our favourite, a completely different venue they thought looked similar.
What to actually look for: Ask to see recent, real wedding galleries. Real weddings = real vibe.
The Bottom Line:
You deserve a venue that's upfront, honest, and actually gives a damn about your day, not just your deposit.
If you want to see how we do things (spoiler: no lies, no sneaky fees, no BS), come have a sticky beak.
Book a Look and we'll show you around. Bring your questions. Bring your partner. Bring your mum if she's the one with the clipboard.
Let's make sure your venue choice is one you're still happy about on the other side of "I do."