People of Mumsnet, please get out your crystal balls. I'd love to know the future, I think you're all full of wisdom so please help.
DP and I are meant to get married July this year. We have put a deposit of 1.5k on the venue and 1k on the food (unrelated vendors). The venue is singularly owned and the woman has basically defrauded a lot of people with 2020 weddings. She told them they lost their money and if they want a wedding in 2021 they'd have to pay again (£7.5k for most, we have a smaller wedding so ours was cheaper). The judge in several cases that have gone to court ruled her behaviour and correspondence was 'disgusting' 'disgraceful' 'illegal' and she has had to pay back every penny, plus interest, plus fees.
Of course her behaviour has given me the ick, the venue feels tainted (lots of news articles) and we don't want to risk it. So we are wondering whether that money will be lost or if there's a chance to recoup.
I spoke to a solicitor and unless the wedding couldn't go ahead, their costs would be the same as the venue so they said it isn't worth the legal side (although they're 90% sure I'd win).
So tell me, in Wales, in July, do you think a wedding with 50 guests will go ahead? The venue also must allow members to stay (40 guests as per contract), this is in the bedrooms (not a hotel, more air bnb style - giant house) and is not covid secure.
If any part of this cannot go ahead, the contract should be frustrated, and I should get my money back.
Through this process we've found out the woman is a known con artist and it's not the first time she has done this, however, as a sole trader, she will pay up in court and has so far.
YABU - weddings for that many will go ahead in Wales in July
YANBU - so unlikely, weddings may happen, but limited numbers / weddings will not go ahead.