wedding in malta collapsed

welshkaz

Hi I am at a loss where my rights stand so wonder if anyone can help!!!!

my husband and myself are part of a group wedding to malta my hubby is bestman and the party is 25 people kids and adults mixed 19 booked with thomson 6 booked elsewhere to same destination , well we are due to fly 28th sept and friends getting married 1st oct...
all forms have been sent off and checked 3 weeks ago before the deadline but they received a phone call off thomsons today stating that the address that thomson gave the bride and groom was the wrong address and the forms have been sat on someones desk and not sent to malta and now have missed the deadline after at least 12k has been spent and just wonder what the best option if any would be as they have refused to refund us all

anyone have any ideas thanks in advance...

withabix

Did the wedding party take out a special insurance policy to cover things going wrong?

This sounds like it could end up in court, at least due to the six that aren't booked through Thomson and because Thomson will probably have some Terms and Conditions that exclude any liability for consequential losses.

Normal holiday insurance won't touch this I suspect.

spiro

The be married in Malta the bands must be published in your UK registry office for 3 weeks to allow you to obtain a Certificate of No Impediment. You then finalise details with the Marriage Registry in Valletta 2 or 3 days before the wedding (details of office can be found here http://www.foreign.gov.mt/default.aspx?MDIS=407

What haven't Thomson done? What were the forms for? If they gave the wrong address its there problem to sort it out. Tell them that is it is not resolved you will be claiming for the entire wedding from them due to their negligence.

welshkaz

thanks for the advise spiro but the paperwork has to be in malta for 6 weeks prior to the day of marriage which was yesterday, yes thomson should be liable for this but fighting in court isnt an option as money is tight after hiring suits bridesmaids dresses they offered them an option of flying 2 weeks later but from birmingham when we live 20 mins from cardiff and of course you then have the domino effect of the suit hires the reception etc etc plus the brides dad and step mum cant go those dates to be honest its all one massive mess without one hysterical bride and groom and 5 really uoset kids, im expected to work miracles today in thomson office and to be honest i havent a clue where to start lol arghhhhhhhhhh!!!

Thomson had checked the relative legal documents and gave the bride the forwarding address to post documents which she did on time and by recorded delivery but it was the wrong address and this didnt come apparent until yesterday on the wrong persons desk which was also the deadline for the documents to arrive in malta 6 weeks b4 date of intended marriage ..

fifeken

From spiro's advice the 6 weeks you mention is not required. That may be a Thomson requirement in which case they may be able to short circuit it somehow. Read up about Malta's actual requirements before you speak to Thomsons and if it helps your case take any evidence that suppports you along to show them.

welshkaz

I just have thanks and it does actually say on a link to that particular page he sent that it does have to be in malta 6 weeks prios but not before 12 weeks..



http://www.weddings-abroad-guide.com/legal-requirements-for-getting-married-in-malta.html


i know its not a govt site but it does seem that sadly thats the case

photome

I havent looked at any of the links but wouldnt it be better to check on a gvt site as opposed to a general wedding site

welshkaz

trust me i have tried but for love no money i cant find any info for less that 6 weeks notice x

spiro

Try calling the registrar in Malta (+356 21221775 ) directly and check the rules with them. You could also email ([EMAIL="pubreg.marriage@gov.mt"]pubreg.marriage@gov.mt[/EMAIL] ) but it may be longer before they see it.

Good luck.

fifeken

If they've just missed the six week deadline by a day or so, can they submit now and get married a few days later than planned? Obviously I don't know everyone's arrangements and what arrangements there are in Malta but it might be an option.

ailuro2

fifeken - that seems like a great idea - go ahead and have the reception the photos etc. on the original date then nip back and do it for real a few days later.