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Original poster

Cancelling wedding - the law

18 replies

showmethegin · 22/01/2023 10:45

Hi, wasn't sure where to post this but want some advice.

My partner and I found a wonderful wedding venue for our wedding in July 2024. We asked three times whether we could have live amplified music ie a band and were told yes, absolutely, they just have to put the sound through their PA system (fine). We read the terms and conditions which again stated this re PA system, happy to go ahead on this basis we happily signed it and paid our 2k deposit in October 2022. Following confirmation of the deposit we were sent a link to a planning portal for the wedding.

We have now started looking for bands and have found 3 that we love, they have all asked for information around sound systems/noise etc. I went into the planning portal and found the document which is unbelievably onerous to the point that all the bands have refused to play our wedding. There are around 4 additional conditions in there that were never mentioned to us either verbally or in the terms and conditions that we signed.

Do we have a leg to stand on to get the deposit back?! Music was always a priority for our wedding which we made clear to the venue both times we met with them and it just won't be the event we had always hoped for without a live band. I feel really let down and disappointed; I feel they have deliberately misled us.

OP posts:
Original poster
showmethegin · 22/01/2023 11:57

Hopeful bump!!

OP posts:
Ariela · 22/01/2023 12:18

Yes, I think you absolutely do, given they didn't explain the full terms without giving you access to them planning portal details. I would talk to trading standards (via local council ) before you speak to the venue to be absolutely clear.

AnuSTart · 22/01/2023 12:21

The full T&Cs must have been available to you in order to sign the contract with full knowledge. Are you saying that these weren't available to you? Or there are extras on the portal?

AnuSTart · 22/01/2023 12:22

Sorry just re-read.
If you can prove that you had no access to full T&Cs then you can get your deposit back (all other things being equal)

Comefromaway · 22/01/2023 12:28

If you definitely had no access to those extra conditions then I do think you have a case.

Out of professional interest what are these onerous conditions (family of professional musicians/band member here)

Original poster
showmethegin · 22/01/2023 13:21

@AnuSTart I have an email from the venue thanking me for signing the terms and conditions/contract and confirming receipt of our deposit payment. The email then goes on to explain that I will shortly receive a link to activate my account for the planning portal. Planning portal is where the document relating to the additional noise conditions is located. So it is clear from the email that at the time of signing the contract and paying the deposit that I had no way of accessing those further conditions.

OP posts:
PragmaticWench · 22/01/2023 13:23

OP, I'd ask for this to be moved to the Legal board.

Original poster
showmethegin · 22/01/2023 13:31

@Comefromaway That bands must use an electric drum kit that they provide, that no monitors are allowed as it is a 'silent stage', that there is a sound limiter, that they have a special sound system that alters the bass phasing (therefore completely changing the sound of the band!!!) Its no wonder that no band will play it.

I'm sure there would be semi acoustic type bands that would but that's not the kind of music we like!

OP posts:
Original poster
showmethegin · 22/01/2023 13:32

PragmaticWench · 22/01/2023 13:23

OP, I'd ask for this to be moved to the Legal board.

Good idea, do you know how I do that? I've been on Mumsnet for about 4/5 years but have never needed to do it until now! Sorry!

OP posts:
TheSnugglyDuckling · 22/01/2023 13:33

You can also rely on statements made by the venue’s staff to induce you to signing the contract.

Original poster
showmethegin · 22/01/2023 13:33

Ariela · 22/01/2023 12:18

Yes, I think you absolutely do, given they didn't explain the full terms without giving you access to them planning portal details. I would talk to trading standards (via local council ) before you speak to the venue to be absolutely clear.

Great idea, thank you

OP posts:
catmademedoit · 22/01/2023 13:36

You report your own comment and ask them
to move it to the other section
I've done it for you , hope you get sorted !

Original poster
showmethegin · 22/01/2023 13:36

TheSnugglyDuckling · 22/01/2023 13:33

You can also rely on statements made by the venue’s staff to induce you to signing the contract.

That's interesting as they definitely didn't mention these in person either. I was full of beans going on about how excited we were to have a great band, how much we liked music and she mentioned the PA system (again, fine) then swept her arm in the direction of the dance floor saying yes great, that's where the band would go. Surely at that point you would say, ok but these are some rules we have here around live music?! Feels very underhand.

OP posts:
Original poster
showmethegin · 22/01/2023 13:37

catmademedoit · 22/01/2023 13:36

You report your own comment and ask them
to move it to the other section
I've done it for you , hope you get sorted !

Thanks!

OP posts:
CheeseFiend40 · 22/01/2023 13:57

You could ask if they have a list of bands they could recommend/have played at the venue before. Then see if you like them, then at least you know those bands can work within the restrictions of the venue.

Comefromaway · 22/01/2023 15:58

showmethegin · 22/01/2023 13:31

@Comefromaway That bands must use an electric drum kit that they provide, that no monitors are allowed as it is a 'silent stage', that there is a sound limiter, that they have a special sound system that alters the bass phasing (therefore completely changing the sound of the band!!!) Its no wonder that no band will play it.

I'm sure there would be semi acoustic type bands that would but that's not the kind of music we like!

Wow! No monitors, how the hell do they hear themselves or do they expect everyone to have in ears? Electric kit, well my son’s band drummer uses an electric kit for various reasons unless there is an acoustic house kit but it is different and I imagine if a player isn’t used to one.!

Original poster
showmethegin · 22/01/2023 20:15

@Comefromaway exactly, it's outrageous isn't it!

OP posts:
Cleanthatup · 22/01/2023 20:44

Have to spoken to the hotel wedding planner about this? See what they say about it first.

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