Non-refundable photographer fee

sami4137

Hi, i'm in need of some advice. 
I booked a photographer for my wedding and paid a deposit of £212 but unfortunately, due to the outbreak, my wedding has been cancelled. I have informed the photographer and advised him of the new date but he is not available. Am i entitled to my deposit back?
I found a section in the contract which states " The  due performance of this contract is subject to alteration or cancellation by either party owing to any cause beyond their control, as recognised by the UK law as force Majeure of Act or God."
I have already asked him about the deposit but he says that I'm not entitled. I just wanted to get more advice before pursing it or leaving it alone. 

Thanks in advance. 

Grumpy_chap

You should get your money back.  The newsflash article at the top of this page might help "watchdog to investigate coronavirus cancellation policies"

diggingdude

You might want to consider facebook pages where they advertise and point out your experiences?  Or invite them to a shoot on that day regardless including close ups of people, if they refuse remind them you paid

Undervalued

sami4137 said:

Hi, i'm in need of some advice. 
I booked a photographer for my wedding and paid a deposit of £212 but unfortunately, due to the outbreak, my wedding has been cancelled. I have informed the photographer and advised him of the new date but he is not available. Am i entitled to my deposit back?
I found a section in the contract which states " The  due performance of this contract is subject to alteration or cancellation by either party owing to any cause beyond their control, as recognised by the UK law as force Majeure of Act or God."
I have already asked him about the deposit but he says that I'm not entitled. I just wanted to get more advice before pursing it or leaving it alone. 

Thanks in advance. 

Were you legally forced to cancel the wedding or was it your decision (regardless of how sensible / desirable that may have been)?

If it was your choice, rather than being forced on you, then it was not force Majeure / Act of God but Act of Sami! In which case the photographer is entitled to retain the deposit and it is possible, depending on the contract, that your liability may extend beyond that.

Undervalued

sami4137 said:

Hi, i'm in need of some advice. 
I booked a photographer for my wedding and paid a deposit of £212 but unfortunately, due to the outbreak, my wedding has been cancelled. I have informed the photographer and advised him of the new date but he is not available. Am i entitled to my deposit back?
I found a section in the contract which states " The  due performance of this contract is subject to alteration or cancellation by either party owing to any cause beyond their control, as recognised by the UK law as force Majeure of Act or God."
I have already asked him about the deposit but he says that I'm not entitled. I just wanted to get more advice before pursing it or leaving it alone. 

Thanks in advance. 

Were you legally forced to cancel the wedding or was it your decision (regardless of how sensible / desirable that may have been)?

If it was your choice, rather than being forced on you, then it was not force Majeure / Act of God but Act of Sami! In which case the photographer is entitled to retain the deposit and it is possible, depending on the contract, that your liability may extend beyond that.

Mrsn

^^^^ This....

If you cancelled of your own will then it’s much more difficult to reclaim anything back. What was the date of the original wedding?