To expect redress from wedding venue?

[Coffeeandgranola]

Last summer I booked the ceremony venue for my wedding this October. It's a university chapel within the wider campus grounds which have a very unique and atmospheric area for wedding photos. It's a really well-known wedding location in the area and I would say getting these photos is one of the top reasons couples choose it (including us).

When we had our viewing of the chapel ahead of booking we spoke about a range of things with the events coordinator which would have absolutely included at least a passing mention of our photography plans, and no concerns were raised.

I've now - 6 weeks out from the wedding - found out indirectly that this area of the grounds has been booked for 'filming'. From googling I have a good guess what for, and the university will be making £££ from it. I've spoken with the events team to understand the impact on our photos and they've confirmed the area will indeed be inaccessible to us.

I've pointed them to the booking T&C's which say that for photography, 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 (when I read that at first I took it to mean there might be other people milling about, there might be belated graduation pictures being taken we would need to work around...). I've also reminded them how all their official social channels for the wedding venue use images of this specific part of the grounds as profile photos, cover photos, lead post images etc. They have offered a different part of the grounds as an alternative but it's in no way comparable.

We've spent a huge amount of effort and money planning our weddings around a specific theme/vibe (e.g. our wedding outfits were picked with this photo location in mind). We have no alternative options for sheltered wedding party photos (mindful of October weather).

AIBU to not let this go and push for some kind of redress? If so, what? The cost of the chapel itself is a drop in the ocean compared to the overall wedding cost.

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable to want some kind of solution, although I suspect that legally you have no grounds. You could ask them for a reduction in the fee, although they might refuse.

Not sure what you mean about choosing your outfits to match the location… is it something like a medieval themed dress to match the architecture? I don’t think that kind of thing could be considered the responsibility of the events team.

Unfortunately I think this is something you’ll just have to put up with, while trying to focus on the marriage rather than the wedding. Sorry!

I can understand why you’re frustrated, but legally you have no leg to stand on here. You’d be relying entirely on their goodwill in doing anything to help.

I think that's terrible, they will have known that having a wedding booked they'd want to use the area for pics.

With the wedding outfits mention - I was trying to be a bit vague. It's maybe better to say we would have gone with a different theme for our wedding styling entirely!

They've offered another area, booking says you might not get use of an area and presumably you'll get everything else in the package

They aren't denying you anything.

Absolutely understand your frustration and think the uni/chapel have been really unfair to you.
If, as you say, this venue is known to be chosen for this particular place for photos, then I think they should have informed you that it was going to be unusable and given you the opportunity to cancel.
However, it doesn't sound like you have any rights to this part of the venue due to the wording you mentioned.

Is there no way they can let you take a couple of photos in that space? Or are you needing more than that?

Monetary compensation doesn't really cut it dies it?

If this is the university in southeast London, outdoor photos will be nicer anyway! I may be completely off about the e venue though.

It's unfortunate but not guaranteed in your contract.

Decide what you would like most:

• an opportunity for you and you STBH to dress up in wedding outfits again and take some photos at a later date
• Access on your first anniversary to take some photos
• An opportunity to discuss with thr film crew what may be opposite on the day
• A discount on current costs (can't see it being much)

Decide what you want and that ask it it's possible. No guarantees but it's worth asking.

which would have absolutely included at least a passing mention of our photography plans

Sounds like you didn't give any firm indication you would definitely want these photos and hadn't made any firm plans with the wedding planner about using this space - 6 weeks before, I'd have expected you to well have given firm plans now of what you wanted

I'm picturing one of the Oxford Colleges used for Harry Potter and it is an all out Harry Potter themed wedding! I suspect the chapel would say they are providing the wedding service.

Films, tv programmes, etc.

Our favourable English Heritage place is frequently used for filming things like Bridgerton and often has parts of the ground closed for filming.

No they said they might not get exclusive use which is different

It doesn’t seem fair that the college is profiting twice for the same venue on the same day so I think you are right to request a partial refund.

It doesn't sound like they have guaranteed you the location you want in the booking.

If I was basing my entire wedding on the photo location I would have made sure they knew rather than a passing mention.

They are allowing you to take photos in the grounds. I think that meets the T and C.

Nobody is filming the wedding. They’re filming something else which is preventing OP getting access to the part of the grounds she wanted for photos.

This is sensible. I understand why you’re disappointed OP but I’m not sure legally you have much case for redress. If you come with a concrete suggestion like these they may do it out of goodwill.

I can understand entirely, that you are very disappointed that the area for the venue is now off-limits due to filming going on, however since the wording of the booking contract says exclusive use can't be guaranteed, I think they haven't broken any laws here, although you could try the argument again, that you already mentioned, that saying exclusivity isn't guaranteed is not the same thing as saying you can't get access and how will they make this up to you and see what happens

I think it is unlikely that at the time they took your booking last year they would know about the filming taking place to be honest. Members of the Public visit a place that I worked at and filming for something well known took place a year or 2 or 3 ago there. But dates were often vague and only confirmed much nearer the time. Dates had to be changed on occasion too, very last minute.

That doesn't help you much now though, I do understand. I don't think there is much you can do now, though, except come to terms with your disappointment before the wedding and just enjoy the day?

Afraid I'm not sure there's much you can do legally! Could ask them whether you'd be allowed even a 15 min slot to pop in & get one particular shot, or be allowed back another time to get the photos but in your shoes I'd probably let these photos go & enjoy your wonderful day!! X

I think you could have a go at it, but not sure you will get anywhere. I can understand why you are annoyed though.

I get why you are so disappointed - it's very close to the date and part of the day you have been imagining has suddenly been taken away

I would focus on the phrase 'not guaranteed exclusive use'

That is very different from not getting any access at all

Will you have any access or us filming covering the whole area for the whole time?

You still want use, even if it's not exclusive!

What a nasty comment. It's quite reasonable to be inspired by something and use that to inform your theme, or to pick a particular venue as it chimes with something of interest, importance or symbolism for you.