Wedding in Spain

spb261283

Hi, myself and my fiancé were due to get married in Spain on the 12/5/2020. The hotel is currently closed until the 24/5/2020. They have told us we can change the date for which they say they won’t charge us for ( how kind ) or if we want to cancel we will lose all of the money we have paid. Our booking terms state that the original €1000 deposit is non refundable but does not state that any of our other deposits we paid directly to the hotel for the suppliers are non refundable. Also our insurance say they won’t cover us as it’s an act of government that has closed the venue. 

We were wondering if the consumer rights act covers a wedding abroad if the venue is unable to hold the event.
we are totally lost and in need of some advice if anyone could help this would be much appreciated. 

Many thanks 
 steven

Life__Goes__On

What method did you use to pay the hotel?

spb261283

We paid the original 1000 in cash when we we met the wedding planners originally, everything else was paid by debit card by bank transfer so I have documented all the payments and dates so I can speak with my bank tomorrow for those payments. 

Life__Goes__On

Sadly I can't see an easy way out of this.
The Hotel is clearly is in breach of contract, but getting your money back I feel will be hard, as you will have to deal with the Spanish legal system , which  you will require expert advice in that field.
If you list a breakdown of how you paid (what in cash, what in bank transfers, and what on debit card)  and there are different rules on bank transfers and debit card.
Then able to see the best way to cut your losses 

spb261283

Thanks, I thought they would be in breach of contract  too but again I don’t know about Spanish law regarding this, it seems like we’re fighting a losing battle with the hotel and the way they have been acting towards us we would be reluctant to have our wedding day there now 

Life__Goes__On

I can totally understand not wanting your wedding there. You might get the money back you paid via debit card,  but the cash and bank transfers would be much much harder.
I would make sure your insurance company is correct in rejecting your claim as you should never just take there word for it.

spb261283

Yes the insurance policy states that we are not covered for any claim arising directly or indirectly from an act of government. I did query this with the insurance company as the first section of the policy said we were covered if the venue was unable to hold the event due to an outbreak of contagious or infectious disease but their response was that the wedding was cancelled due to the government’s act to close the hotel

Life__Goes__On

spb261283 said:

Yes the insurance policy states that we are not covered for any claim arising directly or indirectly from an act of government. I did query this with the insurance company as the first section of the policy said we were covered if the venue was unable to hold the event due to an outbreak of contagious or infectious disease but their response was that the wedding was cancelled due to the government’s act to close the hotel

I think you can fight that decision,  the pandemic was called on the 12th March ,the Spanish lockdown on the 14th March
The Spanish Government's action is because of the  pandemic.
I personally think you now have a lot better chance,  as if you are covered for the pandemic, then a Governments reaction is foreseeable and only related to what you are covered for.

spb261283

Thanks, so maybe contacting the insurance company again could be the best option then, would this be a case of stating that the government act was caused by the pandemic?

Life__Goes__On

spb261283 said:

Thanks, so maybe contacting the insurance company again could be the best option then, would this be a case of stating that the government act was caused by the pandemic?

Yes,  resubmit all your information saying you disagree with their decision.
Say that you are covered as the reason it was cancelled was because of the pandemic (declared 12/3/20) the Spanish Governments  reaction to this came after (14/3/20)  and the reaction is solely due to what you are covered.
Clearly how the COVID-19 has spread,  the wedding would have been called off, no matter what the Spanish Government rules were.

spb261283

This is what their original reply was after I queried their decision