Wedding Venue - Non Refundable Deposit.

weddingsos2023

Myself & my partner have booked to get married on 14.07.2023

Upon viewing the venue, we agreed a date and paid a £2000 ‘deposit’ which would come off the balance of the venue. We have had a change of mind and no longer wish to proceed with the ‘big wedding’ we want to have something small and intimate with our immediate family. Looking back through email correspondence, which is the only correspondence we have had with them (no phone calls or meetings etc) it has never stated that the deposit is non-refundable. They have sent a contract out to us which has NOT been signed and returned. What are the chances or being able to get any of this ‘deposit’ back? I understand if they must keep a fair amount for administrative fees, but they have done nothing towards the wedding so far, no meetings, prep work. As the wedding date is over a year away and they are voted number 1 wedding venue in Essex, this date can easily be filled again – surly they cannot profit from this date twice if it was to be rebooked by someone else?

It states this in the contract (again, which hasn’t been signed and returned)

“Confirmations Once a booking is confirmed with a deposit payment, a contract is deemed to exist. All wedding bookings will be considered definite when the Terms & Conditions have been signed and returned.

Wedding Cancellation/Amendment Policy

Under no circumstances is the deposit refundable. The following cancellation charges apply:

Date of Cancellation Cancellation charge payable by you

12 months before date of wedding £2000 deposit (non-refundable)

9 months before date of wedding £2000 deposit (non-refundable) and full venue hire fees

6 months before date of wedding £2000 deposit (non-refundable), full venue hire fees and 50% of all food costs based on numbers stated in confirmation letter

3 months before date of wedding £2000 deposit (non-refundable), full venue hire fees and 100% of all food costs based on numbers stated in confirmation letter

We advise clients to consider purchasing an appropriate wedding insurance policy which covers cancellation costs as a precautionary measure. If the numbers we confirm in writing to you drop by 30% or more or you change your package to one of a lower value, Greenwoods have the right to charge a £500 amendment fee” 

I have been looking at the consumer rights act and some of the key points stand out to me:-

-          Excessive cancellation fees  Terms that allow the trader to take too much of your money if you back out of a contract can be unfair. If you want to end a contract, a trader can claim for administration and marketing costs and for any work they had started and loss of profit but no more.

Do I have any rights? 

Thank you. 

weddingsos2023

The contract was sent our after paying the deposit

Browntoa

Probably better posting this on the consumer rights part of the forum for best advice 

But it does state that once you have paid a deposit a contract is deemed to exist 

Slithery

Your question has nothing to do with buying, selling or renting property.
Try asking on the consumer rights board instead.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/consumer-rights

weddingsos2023

i have just noticed I commented in the wrong group - apologises. 

MSE_ForumTeam5

Moved to Weddings board