Wedding in 2021 - How does Covid impact refunds?

Tom161992

Hi All,
My partner and I are planning on getting married in October 2021. We got engaged during the first lockdown and were lucky enough to get a date in 2021 before many people rearranged their dates further.

Before I explain the situation, I'd like to make it clear that we are planning the wedding based on multiple scenarios and number restrictions. Despite everyone speculating that it will be fine, we are far more realistic than that, and will be planning for the worst case as well as the best case. 

Regardless on numbers allowed etc. as long as our siblings and parents can attend, we will be getting married in October.

Anyway, we have so far paid a deposit of just over 1k to the venue for the reception. We paid this via bank transfer (i'm aware this was a bit silly and should've been on a credit card). Going forward, in Feb we are due to pay 50% of the remaining balance, and then 50% closer to the time of the event. 

Ultimately my question is what protection do we currently have in terms of paying this and getting the money back? We are unable to get wedding insurance for obvious reasons. If we pay this on credit card, will we be able to claim it back if the wedding doesn't happen?

Also, we have minimum number requirements in our agreement with the venue, which at the time they said was standard and obviously they will flex if Covid hasn't gone away - there is proof of them doing this with weddings pre christmas so I do believe them .

However, their main policy is to offer different dates to push the wedding to if we can't have everyone, however we do not want that. 

If we couldn't have everyone, do you think it would be reasonable to ask for a refund on the basis of the venue no longer being able to provide what we agreed? 

I appreciate this is awkward one, but just want to find out before we pay anymore.

Any wider advice is always appreciated!

Tom