Wedding caterer

welshie113

I booked a wedding caterer as they were recommended by my venue, when I visited the venue later that year they advised they no longer want the caterer on site due to not showing up on more than one occasion and standard had dropped massively when they did show up. My venue sent them a cease and desist letter advising them not to take any more bookings for the venue. I booked in February 2024 for a wedding in May 2026, I emailed the caterer to say I’d been advised to cancel as the venue were not permitting them to be on site and asked for my 25% deposit back. There was no contract between us and the only place the word deposit was on the invoice no mention in writing that it was no refundable. He has refused and after going back and forth has agreed to give me my deposit back if the date is rebooked which is highly unlikely to happen after the bad reviews they have received since not showing up to weddings. They have now taken their website and Facebook down so looks like they are out of business. I have wedding insurance but as he’s not on companies house I can’t get proof that the business is no longer trading. 

I know someone has taken him to court for the full price of their wedding which he still hasn’t paid the money back for. 

Is there anything else or anyone else I can go to for help getting my £700 deposit back?

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

I'm not sure the catering person is to blame here, the venue recommended them and then said they don't want them there, if you are out money I'd be making some noise towards the venue! 

Legal position is costs or loss of profits if they can't find another customer which is seems like they are hinting at but if they go out of business and aren't an LTD they still have personal liability.  

In terms of insurance can't you email the caterer to say "look if you aren't trading can you confirm so I can claim on my insurance"?

Aylesbury_Duck

There is a contract because you agreed a price and to pay a deposit.  Sadly, I think you don't have any right to that deposit back unless the caterer gets a replacement booking, as he's said.  He hasn't breached your contract, you want to.

HampshireH

I too would be going to the venue.

You are the one breaking the contract with the caterer. Your venue is putting you in that position.