Vent: Are you kidding me

Ugh sorry to hear that to take some of the stress off try to find a venue that does take credit card- I use chase freedom and get 1% back on all my payments (obviously none charge a convenience fee or i would do checks too) and then you can just withdraw the money from grannie when it goes through.

Sorry about this Everyone who's saying you should have tracked it I think you know is true, so here I am to agree with you that that really really sucks- but I do believe everything happens for a reason and I do think this was supposed to happen! Good luck and hopefully in a few months you'll be thinking about how this venue switch was a blessing

For what it's worth I write cheques (Canadian Spelling) too. There's a 3% fee if we use CC for our venue. Plus a lot of landlords take post dated cheques when you sign a lease.

I still write checks; my photographer nor my DJ accepts credit cards. Not that using a credit card makes it any better in terms of when the payment post; heck it took our venue 3 weeks to process our credit card authorization form. Like many of the ladies suggested, I say keep better track of payments and when they post (especially those where your grannie offers to help). She's 78 and probably forgot she even wrote the check a month ago. I'm sure your much calmer now than when you wrote this; so look for a new venue ASAP.

We use checks for the wedding venue for the paper trail. used to for the mortgage but the 2nd one we sent, FH forgot to sign so i setup online payment.

but even my 97 year old (friends) grandmother will write a check for $5 for birthdays then hound you to cash it so she can see her bank settle it. thats just responsible money managing as an adult.

venue isn't in the wrong in any shape. just an unfortunate situation that could've been avoided. things will work themselves out. maybe ask if they have the 22nd available and do a Friday wedding? but they may chose not to work with you after bouncing a check.

I still write checks, as well. We didn't use any for our venue though.

If the venue already has another booking for your date, ask them to waive the cancellation fee. They will probably say NO, but it is worth a shot.

We ONLY take checks or cash, and if it's less than two weeks away from the date, usually only cash.

One would think that bouncing a check on your minister is seriously bad karma, but I've had two couples completely bounce checks on me, (one for the entire amount) and never look back.

That was my lesson learned; this is yours......

With small businesses, it is actually pretty common to only accept cash or checks, and to hold checks for a longer period of time. I run a small business (not wedding related), and that is exactly how we operate. Credit card fees are too high to justify, since our margin is so small as it is (not saying that is the case with your venue owner, but it could be). I'd say take this as a lesson learned and move on sadder but wiser.

Thanks again for all the feedback, knowledge, and suggestions ! I'm off my soapbox and hopefully one of my runner-up venues are still available.

That's an unfortunate situation for you, but I think it's a valuable lesson for other brides. A lot of wedding businesses (including myself) have stopped taking checks because of the amount that bounce. I had a clients check bounce and the bank didn't notify me for several weeks. Of course this ended up putting my account into the negative therefore costing me fee's along with the bounced check balance. I don't think the venue is wrong for charging you a fee, this could have very well cost them money.

Next time pay with a money order, cash or by debit card and keep track of all of your wedding expenses in a book so that you know how much money you have. Good luck!

Wow that's sucky! Wishing you the best right now, things will work out and you never know, you may fall even more in love with another venue!! Good luck!

Well at least you have time and learned a solid lesson about finances and contracts. Good luck going forward.

Much as this stinks, sounds like it is what it is.

in truth, I wonder how often anyone pays that 240 dollar thing he was talking about it- whether they should or not.

how much would it cost them to come after you for it?

I hope it works out and you find a place that works for you. guess this one just wasn't mean to be!

Lots of businesses have returned check fees. I once had a paycheck bounce (the company was going bankrupt, so not surprised), but I wrote checks for bills in the meantime… so every once of those bounced. I had to pay bounce fees because of it. So returned check fees protect them just in cast.

I write checks for most of my stuff.

Anyway... I feel for you. That's a terrible situation, especially when someone else wrote the check for you. My mom has written checks for me and I'd have no idea if something were to bounce. They should have had the courtesy to call you and tell you before hitting you with a fee and giving up your spot. That almost sounds sketchy to me. They basically are making extra money. I know you have to pay them but I'd write bad reviews about them for sure.

I hope you find an even better wedding venue. Seriously Whatsup with all these comments. She came here to vent not have everyone tell her she's wrong. I bet if this happened to anyone they'd be upset.

Jess - Bad review for what? Enforcing their policies? That makes no sense.

And in an open forum whether the OP is here to vent or not, we're going to express our opinion. She doesn't have a problem with the comments. Why should you?

Ha!! I'd say good luck trying to collect those $240 sir. Arghh I hate when people act like that on such an important occasion! Try speaking to another person! If not hey, thing happen for a reason. Don't lose hope. ☺?

StitchingBride, the company will more than likely sell it to a collection agency who will in turn make sure it appears on her credit report. This will have as negative effect when she's in the market for a home.

OK guys I'm home an have read the contract . First and foremost I don't have a issue paying the $40 for the return check. But in regards to the early-cancellation fee of $200.00 it states it only applies if I cancel my event . Or they are unable to book another client for that day . He mentioned they booked another couple so why am I paying the $200 again. They will be getting a call in the morning .

I am a little curious as to how they feel they are justified in charging an "early cancellation fee" when *they* were the ones who cancelled the event, and then re-booked the venue with another client. I think I would be fighting that part of the $240 fee if I were in that situation.