To expect redress from wedding venue?

Non exclusive means someone else might be using the grounds

Which they are

You have some space to use

If you can find the details for the location manager of the shoot, you could try and shmooze them. Even offer money, just to take some pics at a time when the shoot is on break or something?
There's no way they'll disrupt filming for you but if they are nice they might give you a few minutes. But they also don't want to make themselves look awful. It does depend on the level of arrogance the producer displays. Usually a lot sadly. But the venue seems to have legally covered themselves. Not that it's right. It absolutely sucks.

"In which case"

I read the clause as meaning that OP might have to share the space, not which case it is the college which is breaking the contract in not allowing OP any access whatsoever

I may be totally wrong here but I am not getting a Harry Potter themed wedding vibe from the OP.

How disappointing though! Maybe going back at another date as a pp suggested would work.

What will happen if it rains? I mention this as my October wedding there was a huge storm and so the beautiful grounds were unable to be used, or even seen. Just had photos at the back of the church.

OP, call LBC tonight at 9pm and speak to barrister Dean Dunham. He does an hour on consumer law where people can call in and he gives free legal advice on their consumer issue including things just like this!

Is the photographs the most important thing? Surely the chapel is? The wedding ceremony itself, where you make your vows together, before God and your families and friends?
Yes it is nice to have some photos to remember the day, and you will have, just different ones to the style you originally thought of.

It is really disappointing OP. Can you return for photos of just you two at another time? Appreciate the other guests wouldn’t be there but that could be one thing they could offer?

No it doesn't. It says you might not get EXCLUSIVE use of that area. Comprehension is key

That’s not what “not exclusive means”.

”No exclusive use” means that they will have full use of the grounds, but others may be using it too so they have to fit in around other people being there.

It does not mean that parts of the grounds will be off limits. It just doesn’t mean that, so they are in breach of contract.

They have booker the chapel plus the grounds with shared use. They are now being told they cannot have access it all of the grounds, and in particular that they cannot have access to the one area which the university use in all their wedding venue advertising as the main selling point:

They are breaching the contract. “Not exclusive use” doesn’t mean “some of the grounds may be off limits to you.” It means they have to share use of the grounds.

If it's Glasgow Uni and they're not allowing photos at the cloisters then they're being totally unreasonable. The cloisters really are their USP.

I wouldn't be happy and would definitely be pushing this further. I agree 'not exclusive use' does not indicate no use of any area. Just that no area will be able, to be used exclusively by your party.

They still have use of the grounds though... just not the bit they want

I'm a wedding coordinator and it is unfortunately really common for venues to withdraw elements of the wedding near the day without any compensation.

It is totally unacceptable and I've seen it all eg couple being told they cannot have any hotel rooms in country hotel where wedding is miles from anywhere.

I wouldn't be hopeful that they'll apologise or accommodate and I would get a lawyer to review the contract and write a letter.

They count on the fact you don't want the stress of conflict with them and honestly brides always back down.

I'm assuming your photographer has worked with the venue before...definitely speak to them as to whether they've experienced this before and any alternatives they can suggest.

I'm guessing with an October wedding your final payment is due imminently?

When Chatsworth House had it's entire facade behind scaffolding due to window restoration, people getting married there still had the same shots but Chatsworth digitally enhanced the photos so that the building appeared without scaffolding. I think they had a bit of a discount but not much.

They are offering use of another area of the grounds, if you don't like the area they suggested can you have a look around and find somewhere you do like and push for that, if it's an old building there may be some interesting less obvious spots. Ask the film company if you can find out who they are, might be good publicity for them and they may not even be using that area on that particular day.

Has to be Glasgow uni. Also because there is constant filming in Glasgow these days.

I thought it might be University of Greenwich where a lot of filming tends to happen, including Bridgerton which will be going back into production by then. If so, OP, it’s a beautiful venue and I wish I got married there. But there are also plenty of photographic opportunities in the grounds and park surrounding it and lots of different buildings there which wouldn’t all be in use.

I think I’d try and establish exactly when the area was booked out for filming. If it was before or even shortly after you booked, then I think you’d have a decent case to claim compensation. In any event I think they should have told you as soon as they knew to give you time to seek alternative solutions.

No idea how you would establish this information though - ask the bbc or the college?

I would also argue that not exclusive use means other people milling around etc, no you can’t use it which they should have highlighted since it is there unique selling point. I would ask if the filming was taking place that day and they need to book you in 30mins with the filming crew to take your wedding photos, or bonus with the film set!

I immediately thought Glasgow too. Beautiful venue.

I think if you do negotiate to go back to take photos the venue needs to cover the costs of the photographer plus any other expenses. It could be shit, or you could make a nice event of it in itself. If you’re getting the ushers and bridesmaid back for it, you could head out for a drink/ lunch afterwards. So get the venue to chuck in a few quid for that, plus anyone’s transport etc.

“they do not guarantee 'exclusive' use of any area of the university grounds which I don't read as the same as having no access at all”

I think you’re right. Not guaranteed exclusive use would imply you may have to share use (ie with another event/party), not that some areas might be completely off limits. So that’s clumsily worded from them, at best. If not purposely misleading. I’d kick up a fuss about it with them and see what their response is, and also try and get a reasonably priced solicitor or whatever to give their opinion on that wording. They might owe you some pretty significant compensation.

I think @DoYouReally’s suggestion of asking for access at a later date, to do the photos you want in that area, is a really good one, @Coffeeandgranola - and it would be reasonable to say this should be at no extra cost.