Can I get my deposit back?

Megmarlene

Ok this may be long winded but bare with me as I really need advice.
My partner and I fell in love with this beautiful wedding venue so we decided to go ahead and book our wedding date with them. They told us that we would have to pay a 40% non refundable deposit for the venue and accomodation. Fast forward a few months and I'm struggling to book meetings with them to discuss things such as catering which they stated must be booked through them. Eventually we had a meeting and its added an additional 2k+ on top of the additional price.
Due to this and being told we have to pay the full price before the end of the year we simply can't afford to go ahead with this venue.
There is just a few days shy of a year before the date we booked. Would it be possible to get all or at lease part of the deposit back? We never actually signed any paperwork with them. I've also had a look at trading standards and they say usually a venue can only ask for a small deposit, so to me 40% seems rather high. What would be the best way at going about getting our money back as it's cost us over £2200

hollydays

For what reasons are you struggling to book meetings?
An extra £2000 extra on top of what exactly?

dj1471

Yes you should be able to get almost all of it back, but it will be a struggle.

Start by telling the venue that you're cancelling. So far in advance they should have little problem reselling the venue and accommodation on your dates.

They are allowed to retain some money to cover any costs incurred so far, plus any costs that result from your breach of contract such as advertising or lost profit. They are required to mitigate their losses, they are not allowed to simply keep the deposit.

Megmarlene

I struggling to book meetings etc because the person we've been allocated as our wedding planner doesn't respond to emails. And when she does respond she says she won't be in the office until Wednesday for example and that she'll email me then but never does so I'm constantly chasing her. One time when we did book a meeting with her she didn't tell the caterers we were going to see them so they weren't there and she herself wasn't even there. We had to have the meeting with one of the people who actually own the property who was totally unprepared. Since the initial meeting we haven't even seen our wedding planner and have only managed to get her on the phone once.
The extra 2k is for food and drink on top of the total price for the venue and accomodation that we've booked. I understand that the food and drink is going to cost but they never even gave us any idea as to how much extra it was going to be. Another thing to point out is that they're not transparent with their prices for food and drink either. They have never given us a list of foods, drinks and prices. It's always been a case of tell us what you want and we'll give you a rough idea of cost and not suggest a cheaper alternative although we have made it very clear that our budget is tight and that were struggling.

pinkshoes

What is the £2k for?

A typical cost per head at a venue is £50, but this can vary massively. That would be 40 people on your budget.

To answer your question, then no they cannot keep your entire deposit. They have to mitigate their losses. You would be held responsible for readvertising costs, and any losses should they not be able to re-sell that date.

kimplus8

Have they any kind of contract/terms and conditions vi post or email?
If not then I believe you would be within your right to ask for the money back.
I would double check that you haven't received anything like this.
Did you make the booking verbally or via email etc??

Megmarlene

We've never actually had a formal contract or signed anything. Their terms and conditions are at the bottom of the first invoice they sent us. I read through it and it just says that if we cancel before a certain time that they will keep our 40% deposit and not charge us an extra 25% if we cancel closer to the time

hollydays

Megmarlene wrote: »

I struggling to book meetings etc because the person we've been allocated as our wedding planner doesn't respond to emails. And when she does respond she says she won't be in the office until Wednesday for example and that she'll email me then but never does so I'm constantly chasing her. One time when we did book a meeting with her she didn't tell the caterers we were going to see them so they weren't there and she herself wasn't even there. We had to have the meeting with one of the people who actually own the property who was totally unprepared. Since the initial meeting we haven't even seen our wedding planner and have only managed to get her on the phone once.
The extra 2k is for food and drink on top of the total price for the venue and accomodation that we've booked. I understand that the food and drink is going to cost but they never even gave us any idea as to how much extra it was going to be. Another thing to point out is that they're not transparent with their prices for food and drink either. They have never given us a list of foods, drinks and prices. It's always been a case of tell us what you want and we'll give you a rough idea of cost and not suggest a cheaper alternative although we have made it very clear that our budget is tight and that were struggling.

But it seems you've booked it without knowing what the food and drink would cost?
Was that wise?
I agree they should have given you prices, but you should have seen these before you paid, but perhaps the venue doesn't know that the " wedding planner" didn't do this.

Aylesbury_Duck

Megmarlene wrote: »

It's always been a case of tell us what you want and we'll give you a rough idea of cost and not suggest a cheaper alternative although we have made it very clear that our budget is tight and that were struggling.

I must be missing something or be totally out of touch with costs because as I read it, your venue hire cost is approximately £5500 and that doesn't include catering. It's a large enough cost to be able to make savings to meet your budget, so I can't see how you're struggling.

Nevertheless, they aren't entitled to keep your whole deposit so I hope you get it back and are able to find a suitable venue more in keeping with your budget.