reception venue unable to accept deposits?

[AllieLuv83]

I contacted a possible venue that we might use for our wedding in June 2009. They told me that they have availability and would be able to put us on the calendar but they are unable to take a deposit until they renew their permits on October 1st. Can someone help me make sense of this? Would you count on having this place?

 

[neatfreak]

Al, if it is a public park it is a normal thing. Most parks have a certain date where you can''t reserve a date until that date passes. For the park we got married in I think dates "opened" October 31 of each year. And some parks are a year in advance, etc.

Otherwise it''s a bit odd. But if it''s Look Park I wouldn''t worry.

 

[AllieLuv83]

It''s a location on the water in Glaucester, MA. It is a warf, it has a reception site called the harbor room. I believe it is a two business location, next door is a boat rental place.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 3/11/2008 7:55:38 PM
Author: AllieLuv83
It''s a location on the water in Glaucester, MA. It is a warf, it has a reception site called the harbor room. I believe it is a two business location, next door is a boat rental place.

Hmmm...well then I''m not sure! But it''s normal for publicly owned places. Can they sign a contract/promise with you even though they can''t take a deposit?

 

[AllieLuv83]

I am going to have to ask.

 

[Stephanie]

Well, could it be alcohol license related? Or are they possibly building an addition or making improvements?

 

[AllieLuv83]

it''s all possible, i was so taken aback by this that i totally did not think of the right things to ask. I have a ton of questions now to ask when I call back tomorrow. thanks girls!

 

[CaliCushion]

It seems like some venues in So. Cal are unable to accept deposits until 1 year from the wedding date. I know that the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel told me that this is the policy they have. If that is the policy for the venue you like, do they have a waiting list? Will you be first in line on the list? Or are they going to give the date to whoever calls first exactly one year out? Just a few things to think about....

 

[Selkie]

Hi Allie-I got married in Gloucester too! Not at the Harbor Room, but that''s a great location. I would bet it''s liquor license related or something like that. I also found that a lot of places in that area were not very concerned about getting deposits so far in advance. Definitely give them a call back to find out for sure why October, though.

 

[AllieLuv83]

Selkie...where in Gloucester did you get married? I love that location and being by the water is just icing on the cake!

 

[Selkie]

The wedding was at the Charles Hovey House B&B, which is up on the hill overlooking the fisherman statue, and we went for a sail afterwards on the schooner Thomas E. Lannon. We also looked at the Gloucester House Restaurant but it was under renovation last summer.

 

[AllieLuv83]

Selkie, did you ever see the Harbor room?

 

[Selkie]

No, we never went in. I've just seen the outside. Have you had a chance to visit it yet? It is something of an industrial area. Have you looked at this place? Cape Ann Marina Resort

 

[AllieLuv83]

great idea selkie! Any other great waterfront massachusetts ideas for a wedding?