Wedding cancelled

lovespainsomuch

I paid in full for my daughter's wedding 14 months in advance. Unfortunately we had to cancel 10 months before the event. The contract states they will make every effort to resell the date and any potential refund would be calculated after the event. We are now very close to the date and the venue has been telling me since Christmas events for that date are pending. Today they tell me potential events are still pending and the decision rests with management. Clearly there is not going to be another wedding at this late stage. No one in management will talk to me or answer my emails. My feeling is that they have not made any effort to resell the date and I will be out of pocket for the whole amount. Any advice gratefully received.

oldernonethewiser

Does the contract state no refunds if space is not used by anyone else?

Harsh if so.

Robin9

At least some of the costs should be refunded after all they will not have bought the food or the drink or paid for additional staff .

A message on Facebook advertising the vacancy ??

oldernonethewiser

Most event bookings have a sliding scale of refunds.

Too late now but insurance is a good investment.

If the space hasn't been rebooked go round on the day for a party and use everything you have paid for.

Gonk1967

Go to the venue on the day, see if anyone else is having an event.

elsien

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82003472#Comment_82003472

Although insurance is not always relevant, would not pay for change of mind for example.

oldernonethewiser

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82003570#Comment_82003570

True but insurance will potentially pay for other reasons for cancellation.

Grumpy_chap

There was another recent thread about event cancellation. I can't locate it but it might be worth searching.

A lot of the points about why not all the money can be charged were discussed, also with counter-comments as to why some seeming "not incurred" costs might actually have been incurred by the venue.

EDIT - I found the previous thread I was thinking of and, within that, the OP links a prior thread again

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6635424/another-sad-cancelled-wedding-question

Can the OP share what the cancellation terms were in the contract they signed with the venue? As others mentioned, there is often some kind of sliding scale. If the contract affords the OP a remedy that might be an easier route than trying to pursue on the basis of consumer rights / long notice / venue not entitled to costs above what could be mitigated.

With regard to the efforts to resell the function by the venue, the OP has said the date is soon but is the original date a Saturday in the summer, or a Wednesday? Reselling a Wednesday wedding will be somewhat more difficult for the venue.

itsthelittlethings

Tell her next time she's going to the registry office and you'll put £500 behind the bar in a pub nearby. If they are the right person they'll be happy with that or pay for the flouncy dress and posh meal themselves.