Wedding Services - prices and value?

Anatidaephobia

rosie-lee wrote: »

The most important thing is for the basics at the venue to be 'just right'.
Very clear to the couples what is included.

I agree. However, my problem is that so many venues do not include things that I consider to be "basic" in their packages - such as decent chairs, etc.

CoconutJay wrote: »

Venues charging several grand just to walk through the door. Food, tables chairs etc etc all came as extra.
IMO the venue, furniture, cutlery, plates, glasses and food should come as a whole package. Different food options should obviously be in tiered pricing options.

Most venues also listed a cake stand and knife as coming 'free' with the package or charged extra for it. Seriously?! This should just be included as standard in the package as it's almost a given that there will be cake.

I echo the responses about chair covers- these should be included or the chairs be nice enough not to be covered.

I totally agree with all of this and the fact that venues do things like charge extra for silly things that are essential (chairs, cutlery, etc) is what makes me feel like they're ripping you off and it's all just a big money making exercise. It should be included as standard. If they need extra money to provide these things then they should be factoring that into their package prices. It feels so petty to have to discuss ridiculous things like the price of an individual chair sash.