Wedding caterers cancelled the day before wedding

amylou789_2

Hi

Unfortunately for us, our caterers cancelled the day before our wedding. They had known there was a possibility they may have to cancel for a week but didn't tell us. The have offered to pay us a refund (we had paid the full amount up front) but this feels really unsatisfactory.

After a day of huge stress and lots of phone calls we did manage to find someone else to do it, but they couldn't match the quality and range of different dishes the original caterers were doing, so actually turned out to be cheaper despite being last minute.

My question is, do I have any further recourse against the caterers to be able to claim more money back from the caterers that cancelled? My new husband thinks they should pay us more, but I am not aware of anything that would entitle us to more than a refund.

Thanks

Amy

JReacher1

What is the extra money you want to claim for?

The cancellation has not cost you any money so I don't see what you expect the original company to compensate you for.

unholyangel

JReacher1 wrote: »

What is the extra money you want to claim for?

The cancellation has not cost you any money so I don't see what you expect the original company to compensate you for.

Thats only 1 head of damages. Even with a full refund, OP would probably be able to pursue for loss of enjoyment etc due to the nature of the contract. Its not a valid claim in most cases but contracts for holidays/entertainment/wedding events are the exceptions. I wouldnt expect it to be for a substantial amount of money though.

OP would also have a claim for interest on the money paid - although that might not amount to much depending what amount was paid and how long ago.

JReacher1

unholyangel wrote: »

Thats only 1 head of damages. Even with a full refund, OP would probably be able to pursue for loss of enjoyment etc due to the nature of the contract. Its not a valid claim in most cases but contracts for holidays/entertainment/wedding events are the exceptions. I wouldnt expect it to be for a substantial amount of money though.

OP would also have a claim for interest on the money paid - although that might not amount to much depending what amount was paid and how long ago.

You're being ridiculous......

globalds

Would it be worth comparing what you wish to claim with what they would have taken off you if you had cancelled the contract the day before the wedding ?
If they would have given a full refund it seems difficult to argue for anything .
If they would only give back say 50% ..Then surely that should work two ways ..
That logic may not be anything but fair ..But seems a starting point for the discussion

George_Michael

JReacher1 wrote: »

You're being ridiculous......

Loss of enjoyment can sometimes be a valid claim.

https://conversation.which.co.uk/travel-leisure/cancelled-hotel-booking-law-your-rights/

In November, the hotel offered £817.35 to settle the claim, including an amount for loss of enjoyment. The couple accepted.

There is certainly no harm in contacting the caterers and seeing what they say.

JReacher1

George_Michael wrote: »

Loss of enjoyment can sometimes be a valid claim.

https://conversation.which.co.uk/travel-leisure/cancelled-hotel-booking-law-your-rights/


There is certainly no harm in contacting the caterers and seeing what they say.

Problem with things like this is large companies E.g. Hotels like this often just offer a token amount to make the claim go away. its often cheaper to pay an extra £70 than it is to contest it in court.

The fact a hotel paid a small amount of money to stop a legal claim doesn't really prove that the OP will win a court case for loss of enjoyment.

unholyangel

JReacher1 wrote: »

Problem with things like this is large companies E.g. Hotels like this often just offer a token amount to make the claim go away. its often cheaper to pay an extra £70 than it is to contest it in court.

The fact a hotel paid a small amount of money to stop a legal claim doesn't really prove that the OP will win a court case for loss of enjoyment.

Its a well established principle/practice of law.

http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/benchmarks-matching-the-damages-to-the-distress-the-law-that-usually-leaves-distress-and-inconvenience-to-go-uncompensated/21737.fullarticle

The more expensive the holiday, the greater the distress which may be caused, particularly if the holiday marks some special occasion.In wedding cases, damages may be awarded for failures of photographers, wedding cars, caterers, and dressmakers.

But even for a spoiled wedding day, damages are unlikely to exceed the small claims limit and for individual failures, such as an ill-fitting bride's dress, the damages will not usually exceed £1,000.

JReacher1

unholyangel wrote: »

Its a well established principle/practice of law.

http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/benchmarks-matching-the-damages-to-the-distress-the-law-that-usually-leaves-distress-and-inconvenience-to-go-uncompensated/21737.fullarticle

Can you highlight the bit which states that you can get compensation because you believe the caterer that you've used wasn't as good as the previous caterer you had booked?

Ive always wondered where you've got your simplistic view of the law from. I'm glad to finally see its the "law gazette".

unholyangel

JReacher1 wrote: »

Can you highlight the bit which states that you can get compensation because you believe the caterer that you've used wasn't as good as the previous caterer you had booked?

Ive always wondered where you've got your simplistic view of the law from. I'm glad to finally see its the "law gazette".

Sorry, your joke implying the law society gazette gives a simplistic view of the law still has me chuckling.

So when shall I expect anything even remotely reliable backing up your own opinion? Or is it a case of not holding my breath?

kimplus8

I would certainly follow their complaints procedure and ask for them to compensate you for the stress and time it took you to find someone new etc plus missed enjoyment on the day etc. The worst that can happen is they say no and you get nothing, but if you ask you may get something.