Venues and covid

Hi Carla, I haven't had to postpone (yet), but I have spoken to our venue. They currently have 135 minimum guest count with a minimum spending of 19K, however we've been informed that if government restrictions only allow 100 (or less than that) and we choose to postpone we will not be held to the minimum $$ amount and our minimum guest count will be waved entirely (meaning that if they say 100 we don't have to have that many people). We will also be able to transfer over our deposit and any additional payments made to the venue to our future date should it arise. We have requested a new contract with these clauses, too. Hope this helps!

View quoted message Put in clauses that prevent you from being penalized for a cancellation due to covid. For example, some venues have been aggressive and demand full payment of services for over 200 people even though government restrictions haven't allowed more than 100 since the pandemic started (Bellevue wss one example shown in the news). Or that there are no price increases and fees for changing your date due to covid (Peter and Pauls venues have been terrible about this, again shown in the news). Another provision could be for deposits to be refundable in the event you cannot hold the event due to covid related shutdowns and you choose not to proceed with another date.

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What provisions should we ask for?

View quoted message Oh, if you haven't signed or paid anything then it's much easier. Just request certain provisions in your contract that ensures you won't have penalties if you have to cancel or downsize. If a vendor refuses, take your business elsewhere.

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It is our first and hopefully the last postponment.

We were right about to put down our deposit when the first set of lockdowns hit us, so we didn't sign contracts or pay anything. We are just thinking the worst case moving forward.

Is this your first postponement?
First you should review your contract and see what it says about cancellations due to pandemics and acts of God. Are you forced to be committed to the full guest list? Is there a minimum spend? Some venues ask for the final count closer to the date, some lock you in on a minimum number. Ask if that provision can change pending circumstances.
You can be proactive and ask about alternatives but with November 2021 being so far away, the venues may not entertain such discussions until closer to the date, especially with the talks of vaccines hitting everyone by end of year next year. It won't hurt to try as some venues are better than others at having such discussions.