Wedding Venue Contract

Mwesty

Hi All

Looking for a bit of advice please. We booked our wedding for the 29th March around 3 months ago (complete package including ceremony, reception and evening do all-in). We have 45 guests for the reception and approximately 125 in the evening which came at a total of £4,500. We just this week paid 80% of the total in line with our contract.

I have just checked the venues website and they are now running a 'winter wedding' special offer for £2,500 all-in. 50 guests in the reception and 150 in the evening for new weddings booked between Jan 2nd and 31st March.

Now I know this offer wasn't available when we booked ours but we feel a bit hard done by. We're having to pay £2,000 more just because we booked 3 months earlier.

Our contract says that we if we cancel before 3 months of the date we are subject to a 30% of £4,500 cancellation charge. If we cancel within 3 months of the date it's a 80% of £4,500 charge.

The contract also states 'You are required to insure your wedding against cancellation and we require sight of the policy prior to acceptance of your booking.'

We do not have insurance and have never gave them a copy. Are we able to cancel the contract and get a full refund based on the above? We do like the venue but feel a bit hard done by having to spend £2k more than everyone else and have less guests. We've had to let some people down that we wanted to invite but couldn't afford to. We would be happy to go ahead if we could pay £2.5k. It wouldn't actually bother us if we had to cancel and go elsewhere either. There's some lovely venues round here offering some good last minute discounts.

Thanks for any advice.

ellay864

Sorry but I can't see any way you could cancel and expect a full refund. The fact you don't have the insurance wouldn't be a clause to help you. I guess they ask for you to have insurance so that if you do cancel they will still get their money; if you didn't have insurance they could take you tocourt to recover any money you should pay. I would also say that insurance is something you really should get - there's been recent posts on here where people stand to lose a lot as they haven't taken out insurance; for the sake of around £50 it's a massive gamble IF anything was to go wrong. If you or OH were taken ill last minute and had to cancel the wedding you'd lose all the deposits you've paid and be entitled to nothing back
With regard to the fact they've lowered their prices they're simply doing what many other companies do in all areas - they're offering late booking discounts. It happens with holidays and in shops - it's just part of business. By booking early you know you have more chance of the date etc you want. If they had put their prices up and tried to charge you more you would quite rightly be unhappy, so you can't complain that they've changed their prices downwards, much as it is a pain for you

Mwesty

Hi Ellay

Thank you for the reply. That was kind of the response I was expecting to be totally honest. I can understand the way business work and they are only doing what any other business would do. My grievance is purely down to... I could literally cancel my booking now, pay their 30% cancellation charge (Approx £1150).. Rebook it and pay £2,500 which means I'm still saving around £1,000 and have all them extra guests.

Regarding the contract clause. I thought it was legally binding on both parts. They are saying they would ONLY ACCEPT a booking if they see proof of insurance. Granted it's for my benefit but that doesn't excuse the fact they accepted a booking without sight and have therefore not followed their own policies. This is a money saving forum, and that's precisely what I'm trying to do. All be it a bit of a long shot and maybe a bit sneaky but I'd rather have the money in my pocket.

I appreciate the advice about insurance and I'm going to look in to that now.

Regards

ellay864

I totally get how you feel and I'm no legal expert but it does seem that companies can enforce T&Cs when it suits them! It might be worth going to them and pointing out that you'd consider doing the cancellation thing and that they haven't enforced their side of the conditions; maybe they'd act out of goodwill. I would say you have nothing to lose but I guess there could be a risk if they also have terms about re-booking after cancellation (probably hidden in small print!). Also you're very close to the 3 month deadline where it goes up to 80% and with it being holiday time you might find they cant process a cancellation so quickly! Good luck if you do have a word with them - they may offer some concession even if they don't match the new offer
But definitely take out insurance - there's loads of posts on here about best places to go with and it really is a small price to pay

wanchai_2

Yes, do take out insurance whatever you do! Good luck x

becca0417

Give it a try but do take heed of ellay's advice above re cancellation. Most venues are up for a bit of negotation - no harm in trying.

floss2

Why not speak to the venue and ask if you can renegotiate your costs in light of their Winter Wedding offer....assuming that it covers the date of your wedding?

BabyBoots

I agree with Floss2. A 30% cancellation fee (cancelled by 29 Dec) would be £1,350, but you would make a saving of £2,000 with the new package.

Do speak to your wedding co-ordinator, and importantly before the cancellation fee goes up to 80% tomorrow. Say that you've been upset to compromise your guest numbers to be able to afford their venue, and it seems even with the hefty cancellation fee you'd save £600 by cancelling and re-booking, and is there anyway they could either move on the price, or allow you more guests for the amount you've already agreed. Hopefully they will have some sympathy with your situation. Also, as your wedding is a Thursday, I'm guessing it wouldn't be as easy for them to fill if you cancel altogether as if you'd booked a Saturday. Good luck.