Venues Are Creatively Expensive!

Venues I knew had you right where they wanted you, but the ones around here have some funny stipulations.
I ran into a venue that has a $250 opting out of catering fee. If I want to bring in my own caterer, we have to pa $250. I have also ran into a cop fee. Not only were two of their employed supervisors required to be at the site for $25/hour and 2 were required, but I need 3 off duty cops at $35/hour each.

I am hoping to purchase some linens from a fried/co-worker to cut back on the future cost of venues charging for their linen and I'm purchasing some bud vases from wedding bee to help reduce the price of cetnterpieces. Anything I can do to help cut my bride and groom's cost is going to help my budgeting abilities. If anyone knows anyone that has colored linen they purchased for their event that they don't want anymore, please give them my information.

Napkins are a bugger too. It's pretty standard for each napkin to be rented out for .50 a piece. I would love to get napkins to have on hand as well.

All in all, each venue has a way to get a little bit more money for something to customize it to make it feel like your own customized venue. I applaud them for it but at the same time, cringe when I hear each venues way to get a bit more money for something I'm NOT using or am planning on customizing to make my clients happy.

I am making a binder for each one I call so I know what venue offers what and charges for not using. I think that'll make my next event that I plan a lot easier.