Corkage fees and mandatory bar packages.
Some venues allow you to bring your own wine or Sekt but charge a corkage fee per bottle — typically €5 to €20 per bottle, sometimes more for champagne. For a wedding that goes through 40 bottles of wine, that is a real number.
Others require you to use their in-house bar package and do not allow outside drinks at all. This is not always disclosed in the first conversation — but it is in the contract.
Ask directly: "Can we bring our own wine for the welcome drink? What is the corkage fee?" The answer tells you both the policy and how transparent the venue is about it.
Mandatory vendor lists.
Some venues require you to use their preferred caterer, their preferred florist, or their in-house DJ. This is not hidden — it is usually in the contract — but it is not always mentioned on the first visit.
Mandatory vendor lists are not always a problem. A caterer who has worked the kitchen 200 times knows the space. The problem arises when the vendor's pricing is above market and you have no choice.
Ask which, if any, vendors are mandatory and which you can source yourself. If the caterer is mandatory, ask for a full menu and pricing before you commit to the venue.
Late-night surcharges.
Venues that advertise a midnight curfew but offer an extension for a fee. €500 to €2,000 per additional hour is the typical range. A wedding that stretches from midnight to 3 a.m. at €800 per hour is a €2,400 surprise.
The reverse also applies: venues that say they run until 4 a.m. but then charge extra for having staff there past a certain time. Ask "Is there any additional charge for the late-night hours?" The answer should be a clear no or a clear price.
Cleaning deposits, damage deposits, and final billing.
Most venues require a refundable deposit for cleaning and potential damage — typically €500 to €2,000. This is standard and not a red flag. The question is how it is returned: automatically within 14 days, or only after they itemise any deductions?
Ask for the full list of what constitutes a chargeable damage before you sign. Broken glasses, stained tablecloths, noise complaints — the policy should be written down, not just verbal.
Final billing surprises often come from service charges added to the catering invoice (10 to 15% is common) and from "setup fees" for bringing in external vendors. Ask for a sample final invoice from a previous wedding to see how the numbers land.
At Villa Renting
At Villa Renting, we send one full written quote with every line item before you decide. No mandatory vendor lists — you choose your caterer, photographer, and florist. The standard package runs to 3 a.m.; the extra hour to 4 a.m. is optional and costs a flat €700, stated up front rather than added later. The deposit structure and any applicable cleaning fees are listed explicitly in the contract.
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