Wedding Venue Deposit - Non-refundable?

octoman

clearing_out_my_pockets wrote: »

Whereabouts in Kent are you?

Also wedding insurance wouldn't have helped in this instance - every policy excludes the couple deciding not to get married

hiya....the venue is near Maidstone

clearing_out_my_pockets

Ah well - a little too far for me!

Chinkle

Non-refundable is just that - if you're nice they may cut you a deal but they're not obliged to. Given that you've already had one enquiry here and there is usually such high demand for quality wedding venues I would look to sell it on first. Put it on ebay and you could recover the full cost or even make a profit from it!

octoman

Sorry....me again.....are there any legal experts out there?????

Since my partner rang them we have received the following letter:

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Dear XXXXXX

Re: Cancelled Wedding at Xxxxxx Xxxx, Saturday X September 2010

Further to your telephonce call on Tuesday 11 August, I understand that your wedding on the above date will no longer be proceeding.

This date has therefore been released back into our reservations diary with immediate effect. The initial deposit paid will be retained as a cancellation charge.

It is your responsiblity to advise all other suppliers book for your wedding of the cancellation.

Obviously, I am very disappointed that you will not be holding your wedding with us, but I wish you both all the best for the future

---

However, their terms and conditions state:

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All cancellations must be received in writing from the client and will be deemed to take effect from the date of receipt.

---

I rang them upon receipt of the letter and the lady who sent the letter was very rude and stated that she sends that letter to provoke a response from the couple as not all couples send in confirmation of cancellation.

Is it me or is this letter rather, well, rude and breaks their own rules where cancellation can only be made in writing?

Seeing their rudeness and abruptnes (I appreciate again that they are a business and want to position clarified), we are thinking that if we do go ahead with the wedding we would not want this venue.

I am therefore going to send a letter stating that they have broken their own rules and that we will seek legal advice ..... unless of course I do not have a leg to stand on!

Beebop

"Seeing their rudeness and abruptnes (I appreciate again that they are a business and want to position clarified), we are thinking that if we do go ahead with the wedding we would not want this venue."


Sorry I'm confused - i thought your first post said you'd split and had to cancel the wedding?

Craftyscholar

octoman wrote: »

Further to your telephonce call on Tuesday 11 August, I understand that your wedding on the above date will no longer be proceeding.

However, their terms and conditions state:

---

All cancellations must be received in writing from the client and will be deemed to take effect from the date of receipt.

---

I rang them upon receipt of the letter and the lady who sent the letter was very rude and stated that she sends that letter to provoke a response from the couple as not all couples send in confirmation of cancellation.

Is it me or is this letter rather, well, rude and breaks their own rules where cancellation can only be made in writing?

I am confused.
You know that your cancellation must be made in writing, but you did not write to them.
Presumably they could have waited and then claimed the full amount from you as you had not cancelled in writing as per the T&Cs.
Instead they wrote to you, possibly in order to confirm that the person who phoned had authorisation to cancel the arrangements.
You have studied the T&Cs in order to find a fault on their side, but you did not comply with them yourselves.

pinkshoes

How fast are they likely to fill the venue again?

I would wait a while until you know they've re-sold that date, then write to them (recorded delivery) and state that further to their letter dated <date>, as per their terms and conditions, a written confirmation was required for cancellation, and could they please provide evidence of this written confirmation, as neither you nor your partner have given them this.

Obviously they won't be able to provide this written confirmation... so this would then be the point to say you still want the venue (are there any other T&Cs stating you have to pay more at some point??). If they then say they've re-sold it, you could ask for the deposit back.

You don't have to say you were cancelling because you split up. You could say you were just thinking about moving the wedding forward, hence enquired about the cost of cancelling the venue on that day.

LilMissEmmylou

This would be a good website to try and sell it on

http://www.youandyourwedding.co.uk/chatroom/?catid=104

lifeisgood

pinkshoes wrote: »

I would wait a while until you know they've re-sold that date, then write to them (recorded delivery) and state that further to their letter dated <date>, as per their terms and conditions, a written confirmation was required for cancellation, and could they please provide evidence of this written confirmation, as neither you nor your partner have given them this.

Obviously they won't be able to provide this written confirmation... so this would then be the point to say you still want the venue (are there any other T&Cs stating you have to pay more at some point??). If they then say they've re-sold it, you could ask for the deposit back.

A good idea.
The venue should have written asking for confirmation in writing before re-booking.

Isn't the way this venue are acting open to fun and games?;)

A jealous ex could ring up in tears to say she has split up with her fiance., The venue cancels and re-sells the date on the basis of an un-checked phone call. Her ex and his new wife-to-be then have their plans ruined and lose their deposit! What revenge.:rotfl:

octoman

Beebop wrote: »

"Seeing their rudeness and abruptnes (I appreciate again that they are a business and want to position clarified), we are thinking that if we do go ahead with the wedding we would not want this venue."


Sorry I'm confused - i thought your first post said you'd split and had to cancel the wedding?

sorry, should have been more clear (you are not the only confused person!!)

we've reconcilied our differences and thinking of going ahead again :-)