Very small company complaint - wedding decoration

jessiebubble

I got married at the end of June. I employed a very small company (I think just husband and wife) on recommendation of the venue to drape the walls for the reception. This involves hanging material from the walls. I paid for the service and they draped the hall.

Just before the guests arrived one of the wall hangings fell down. The event manger was unable to contact the company and they never returned her calls all day. Later on another part of the wall hanging fell and it's in all the photos as it was during hte speeches and behind those who were speaking.

I spoke to the woman the next day and she was very rude and said it had never happened before as if we had done something ourselves. The people at the venue were very supportive and backed up what we were saying and the event manager had told us. In the end she said she would look into it and get back to us. She never did.

I have been away for a month and then been dealing with the after-wedding tasks. I called them again today and they were again very rude and said it was our fault for putting chairs next to the wall!

I have now written a comlaint according to MSA's goods and services guides. My worry is that this company is tiny and doesn't even have a public message board on their website where I can shame them. Any advice for this kind of thing or will I end up in court? It cost £700!!!

Thanks.

BJV

I would name and shame and join some wedding forums. Mistakes can happen, I may be wrong but i do not think it is the fact the it happened that upsets you more the way in which they dealt with it.

paddyrg

For 700 notes it sounds somewhat lacking, lazily or improperly installed. This was weeks ago now, so what did they say when they came to take the drapage down and found it hanging off when they could check the quality of the fit?

I'd be inclined to quantify your losses, then send a 'letter before action' stating that that's the amount you'll be taking them to the small claims court to pursue, see if they want to avoid that stress and hassle. Make sure you have some photos and evidence for the judge.