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.

Wow, that's very catty!!

I thought the same about Harry Potter but my mind went to Glasgow Uni.

I think the phrase ‘not Garunteed exclusive use’ implies that the non exclusive use of the grounds IS included in your booking

Just to be clear, in your booking contract does it say you have booked the chapel AND access to the grounds, with the caveat that grounds won’t be for your exclusive use so others may be there. Because if they’ve got a contract with you to use the grounds then keep quoting it back at them and perhaps give a specific time of the day when you will take those particular photos so they can arrange with the TV production?

Strong case for mis-selling and misrepresentation.
You were not informed at time of booking that any area would be off limits completely.
The area that is on all their advertising, and led you to make the booking, is now, through their own actions, no longer available. As you were the prior booking, would have thought you should have had priority.
As I doubt you would be able to find an alternative venue in such a short space of time you are going to have to fight to (hopefully) prevent your special day being ruined.
Whilst it is far from ideal, I would go in hard with unless they make that area accessible to you for a set period of time, (with a financial compensation for the unreasonable stress etc) you will be going to the small claims court to seek a full refund.
Also name and shame.
I am so sorry that you are facing this when you should be enjoying your last few weeks of planning!

I get it’s disappointing and why you’d want some redress but honestly I wouldn’t focus so much on photos/ being insta worthy. It’s a day you’ll remember forever anyway.

Exclusive use of the grounds

They have use of some of the grounds, other parts are being used by others

So not exclusive

Covered by T&Cs

I agree with this point. Go back and carefully read the contract- if it says you have use of the grounds (exclusive use or not) then they have agreed to you having access. Do you have any legal friends who could take a look at the wording for you?

What’s the definitions of “grounds” in the contract? What does it say about reserving the right to prohibit access to certain areas of the grounds?

This is a good idea. Are they providing any catering? Maybe ask for a gesture of good will such as them covering the first drink? Are there other areas that might not be free access but would be good for photos. Could you request access given the circumstances. I think you might have more luck with this kind of thing than a straight cash reduction.

I'm not sure. If the grounds are a verified main aspect of a location the offering a different one may not be considered acceptable

If depends how much the location is why people book.

That's why you often have redress if a hotel that is known and promoted for its view and tranquility has building works going on.

OP perhaps they can get filming to schedule your shoot in or perhaps if it is a university different colleges, they may be able to find an alternative college that has beautiful grounds

No - it said "exclusive" use. Not NO use.

The wording says they may not have 'exclusive' use of the grounds. Not that they may have limited use of the grounds /that the grounds may not be available on the day of the wedding.

Very different things.

Non exclusive means they still have use of the grounds.

Would they allow you to return after the event to do a photo shoot as a compromise?

They will be hoping you don’t kick up a fuss - so if you push back quite hard to them - and ask if this filming booking was made before or after your wedding booking - i think they might try to be a bit more helpful.

That would be shit

Decide what you want and push very hard for that.

Whatever the contract says, they should have told you when they took the booking for the filming and given you the opportunity to cancel then. Very bad customer service not to do so. You don't have to be horrid about it or worry about being a bridezilla but decide on either a figure or - more likely - a compensating extra or workaround and do not stop banging on about that until you get it. Make it easy for them to appease you by giving them something specific.

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.

“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 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.

I immediately thought Glasgow too. Beautiful venue.

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 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 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.

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