Advice please?

lilmisschick

Hi,

Not sure where to post this question really but I feel this part of the forum has lots of traffic and I could do with some help asap!

Basically its wedding related. My Fiance and I booked a venue for next May (2010) back in Feb this year. It was a bit of a rush as when we looked around and spoke to the owners, they asked if we wouldn't mind being models for them as it was a new venue etc.... So in March, we dressed as a pretend bride and groom and spent 9 hours being snapped. I felt like a real model wearing four different dresses, with different backgrounds etc.... And in return, they would 'sort us out some bits and pieces' It wasn't specified and we could have whatever copies of the photos we wanted!! :j Sounded like a good deal.

Anyway, that was, like I said in March and to this day, we have never seen any pictures or anything, despite my constant emailing. However, one of the independent photographers on the day had used two of our photos on her wedding photography website and in my last email to the venue, I said 'Why are they not available to us still and yet you have them posted on the internet without our knowledge?' - They were suddenly removed!!

So anyway, here comes the tricky part..... We have recently found out that we are expecting a baby and he/she is due 3rd March so therefore, I do not want to get married a few weeks after having baby. We emailed the venue and enquired a price to have it on a Friday in November this year as we're only having a small do but the price didn't budge an awful lot so after searching around, we have found the perfect venue (for our change of circumstances) and at a great :money:price!! :j And to be honest, I feel like I have a sour taste with the original venue now as they knew we had both booked a day off work to help them out, arranged childcare and felt shattered after that modelling day, and all for absolutely nothing??!! I have asked for the return of the £250 deposit and they stated, as per the contract it is non returnable. However, because of the whirlwind at the beginning, we have never signed a contract and they have since emailed to apologise as it 'slipped through the net' BUT they are still saying we cannot have the deposit back even though their wedding planner has told me that they have a queue of several couples chomping a the bit for saturdays next year as they are already fully booked, so its hardly a loss of business, plus they have done nothing in terms of wedding planning on our behalf anyway?!

Anyone know what I can do, any legal advice please as £250 is a lot of money to me and I could really do with having it returned.

Thanks Sharon

SugarSpun

Ask the wedding planner if you/she can sell the date - and the deposit - for £250 to the next couple in line for your date?

lilmisschick

SugarSpun wrote: »

Ask the wedding planner if you/she can sell the date - and the deposit - for £250 to the next couple in line for your date?

Thanks for your reply.

She works for them and is very much standing firm with them too!! :rolleyes:

bonty44

Why don't you post an ad in the paper or on Ebay? Say that you are selling your date at that venue for the deposit price, and see if there are any takers? I don't think you can use freecycle unless you want to give the date away ... or approach florists / wedding dress shops in the areas, etc., and see if they will let you put up a postcard saying that as you are having a baby, your date is now available, etc., etc. Even if you only 'sell' it for £200 at least you've only lost £50 not £250 ...

U've_been_framed

The venue has used you for publicity purposes for free. Now they won't oblige you with a refund. I'm sure that the local press could be interested, and that the venue would not like the negative publicity, especially as it is a new venue.
Alternatively, could you keep the date and use it for a christening celebration?

Zazen999

Hi

Did you sign a model release form when they took the photos?

If you didn't then they can't use them at all.....

mountainofdebt

How about sending them a bill for modelling services for £250 ?

when is the latest you can cancel without incurring any more costs?

Evansangel

Hi, im getting married in June 2010, and im due 3rd March to!

Anyway, as U've been framed said, the idea of going to the local press is a good one. Maybe mention to them that your willing to go to the local press in another email?

See if they jump up and take action then.

x

lilmisschick

Zazen999 wrote: »

Hi

Did you sign a model release form when they took the photos?

If you didn't then they can't use them at all.....

No we haven't signed anything at all?! Didn't even realise there is such a thing!

mountainofdebt wrote: »

How about sending them a bill for modelling services for £250 ?

when is the latest you can cancel without incurring any more costs?

Haha, I like this idea.... It's 6 months before that the next amount of the total venue fee jumps up (as per the contract I have never signed) So I was thinking this afternoon of saying, I hope you haven't given my date to another couple as I actually have until 7th Dec (the day before the 6 month deadline) to cancel without them charging me anymore- that would really mess them about!! :j

Evansangel wrote: »

Hi, im getting married in June 2010, and im due 3rd March to!

Anyway, as U've been framed said, the idea of going to the local press is a good one. Maybe mention to them that your willing to go to the local press in another email?

See if they jump up and take action then.

x

How funny is that!! I wonder who's will come first then? lol I also what u've been framed suggested - I am definitely going to mention the local paper. :rotfl: