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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be annoyed at wedding venue?

230 replies

LolaDo · 31/01/2018 13:51

I’m getting married in 3 weeks at an English country house hotel type venue.

They have called me today to advise that there will be roof works going on on my wedding day complete with the usual scaffolding etc. Fine. However, this goes round the perimeter of the whole venue so will be at the entrance. This means no pictures outside or under the beautiful archway. There’s a huge path leading up to the entrance with gardens either side so I won’t be able to have pictures here either as the scaffolding will be in the background.

They have also “advised” that the main bar and sitting lounge (it’s like a cigar lounge type thing where guests would have waited when they arrived) will be boarded off for refurbishment and they will be putting a temporary bar/ lounge round the back of the hotel.

I have guests coming from all over and the first thing they are going to see it bloody great scaffolding/ tarpaulin and builders.

I am so upset. What would you do?

We have spent a huge amount of money on this venue because it was “perfect” and now I just feel like the whole day will not be as I imagined. Am I being over dramatic?

OP posts:
thenightsky · 31/01/2018 14:14

My God, I'd be gutted too OP Shock

Can you check your contract and if it doesn't say anything about them having the right to alter things or carry out major changes, think about seeing a solicitor and suing them. They should be falling over themselves to put this right for you.

Valeriemalorie · 31/01/2018 14:14

A friend had similar, they went to look round and realised it wasn't as bad as they thought and they got a discount. They also managed to get some of the building works covered etc. You need to go there in person. Hope it all works out x

JaneEyre70 · 31/01/2018 14:14

Wow that's really offputting OP, for you and your guests. I'd try and get in touch with someone from Trading Standards or similar to see if there is anything you can do to try and claim some money back etc. They will have know this ages ago.......

barefoofdoctor · 31/01/2018 14:14

That has royally screwed you, the whole wedding has been devalued and they are in breach of contract. If you are still happy to go ahead there I would be demanding (politely but non the less insisting on) a hefty discount. If not postpone the wedding and sue them for any expense incurred or social media appeal for another venue and small claims for deposit back.

MichaelBendfaster · 31/01/2018 14:15

YANBU. I think I'm fairly laid-back –if a venue had a bit of scaffolding or one of several photo areas wasn't going to be useable I wouldn't really mind – but this is a litany of things that have changed and gone wrong!

I'd go and see them and make clear that you want to be shown round the venue and see how it will look/what parts you and your guests will have access to and be able to see etc.

Tell them calmly but clearly how upset you are and how much this changes your day. Point out, as you have here, that if you had known this in advance you would not have booked the venue and that it must have been in the pipeline for a while because it sounds like a big job.

Remind them that you chose to spend a lot of money on this specific venue because you found it perfect, and now it isn't; and that they have offered no discount or even apology.

They really need to show willing to make it up to you in some way.

Angrybird345 · 31/01/2018 14:15

Read the contract first before you make any comment! Really appalling actions from the venue though.

WinteryWalk · 31/01/2018 14:16

I worked in hotels for a long time. They know you'll be cross they're just trying to see if they can get away with it in the first instance. I would make a big complaint, in writing, you'll get something.

AmIAWeed · 31/01/2018 14:17

Do not let this go. We got married in our local pub and all the time leading up to the wedding I was told by family and husband to leave it and complain afterwards....BIG mistake. The day was terrible (well the wedding was wonderful, the venue was terrible!) I have refused to step foot in the place ever since and feel really bitter that I spent so much time planning for them to make it so shit, almost 3 years later and I still hold a grudge!!!
so make a plan:
Can you find another venue close enough, phone them, explain see if by any miracle they can save you - remind them of the PR for SAVING a wedding
If another venue really is off, what are the alternatives. Do you want them to pay for hair/make up, photographer the works once the scaffolding is down so you have the pictures albeit later?

What are the rainy day plans, imagine the weather is crap, where are photos taken, is this area suitable with a hefty discount? Insist on them showing you prior to the wedding.

Finally check out your wedding insurance, see what they can suggest in these circumstances

squeaver · 31/01/2018 14:17

Never mind it being awkward on the day, hey need to sort this appalling customer service out. They will not be providing what you have booked and paid for.

Don't just ask for a discount, ask them: what are you going to give me to compensate for all this upheaval? Then, whatever they offer, consider that an opening bid in the negotiation.

Tbh - and I know this might be a pain if you've got guests staying there - I'd be asking them to find another venue and covering any additional costs including informing your guests, extra transport etc.

Parsleyisntfood · 31/01/2018 14:18

We didn’t book a wedding venue in a historic building because of massive refurbishment. The entire external area would be covered and internally totally changed. This was more than a year in advance. The wedding coordinator could not understand why I wouldnt pay through the nose for this amazing historic venue even though you couldn’t even see it.
I’d insist on a tour and say that you books precisely for the aesthetic. I’d be expecting a discount (amazed they didn’t offer off the bat) and another weekend to retake photos!

Thistlebelle · 31/01/2018 14:18

“Awkward” Hmm. This is a Ish was transaction not a personal one.

I’d be going in and (politely) demanding a huge discount.

Thistlebelle · 31/01/2018 14:18

^^ business transaction

damelorente · 31/01/2018 14:20

What WinteryWalk said.

I bet the person who rang was shitting it and couldn't believe his/her luck at your response.

What exactly did you say to them by the way?

Hissy · 31/01/2018 14:21

I'd go in there and say you want a full refund of the venue cost.

When did you book this? I'm sure they knew what they were planning and didn't tell you. that is deception.

Kezzamo · 31/01/2018 14:21

When I saw the title I was thinking it was going to be a bridezilla type drama but I would be bloody furious!!!!

Can the works be delayed?

You need to deal with it before the day. Tell them if you had known before you wouldn't have booked etc etc. It's totally unreasonable of them!

Hissy · 31/01/2018 14:22

Are they part of a chain? can you move venues?

hibbledibble · 31/01/2018 14:22

I would also be very unhappy about this.

Can you book another venue at late notice?

I would be asking for a large discount of you still have your wedding there.

Mitzimaybe · 31/01/2018 14:23

No doubt you've had this booked for months or even years, and they give you three weeks' notice of the works? Not acceptable, not by any means. I would suspect they have deliberately left it late to tell you so it's too late for you to find an alternative venue. I would be looking for a massive refund, probably the whole "venue" element of the fee and you just pay for the catering. That would certainly be my starting point. The look of the venue was a major factor - THE major factor - in choosing it, and you would never have booked it if you were aware of the works. Therefore they owe you big time.

peachypetite · 31/01/2018 14:23

You don't want it to be awkward - they have fucked you over and you need to be assertive now.

Trinity66 · 31/01/2018 14:24

Oh that's really shit, a place that hires itself out for weddings shouldn't take bookings while huge maintenance like this is being carried, unless you're told all that before you book. 3 weeks notice doesn't give you much options to change either

bettytaghetti · 31/01/2018 14:25

Not a lawyer but agree with others that they have breached the contract with you and you should be compensated. These works sound like they were planned rather than for an emergency situation so they really should have blocked out the bookings for the period of building works. Very greedy on their part.

Just wanted to check OP; you haven't got a friend getting married at the same venue?

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 31/01/2018 14:26

Very very bad. I don't know what the answer is but I'd start with demanding a full refund as their service is not "as advertised"; or go for the hefty discount on the same basis - you're not getting what was advertised and they're not offering a sufficiently decent alternative.

Is there anywhere else you could book at this short notice?

Daddynosharing · 31/01/2018 14:26

That’s awful! Definitely complain and get huge discount!

Mitzimaybe · 31/01/2018 14:27

If you change venue you have to reissue the Registry Office notices, don't you? Check the rules regarding that before doing anything hasty.

Trinity66 · 31/01/2018 14:28

Just wanted to check OP; you haven't got a friend getting married at the same venue?

That would be Karma if it was the person who booked her friends venue and jumped her wedding date Grin

I'm sure that would be too much of a coincidence though!

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