Do you think I've lost my deposit? Warning wedding related!!

[PanicPants]

Long story cut short:

Getting married in 6 weeks. Invites have been sent out, everything organised etc.

For our reception we were having a marquee in back of country pub. All good and fine.

Except we went out to it last night (for different reasons) and when we got there next to the marquee are about 15 caravans in the same field. At first we thought the landlord was allowing people to camp there, so I didn't panic at first. But it turns out that the landlord has rented them out to people to live in them. The majority being taxi drivers. So we have oldish caravans - some with satalite dishes, the people who are living in them plus the taxi's right on the doorstep of the marquee.

When we went to look at the venue back in the winter, it was always dark so we never saw the caravans, and from what the barmaid said yesterday the landlord has bought new ones since then.

I did have a bit of bridzilla moment but I'm now not sure what to do.

We could just carry on and try to ignore the caravans although it seems pointless to have spent money on a lovely dress, with guests all dressed up and some will have travelled a long way, to come to what looks like a scrapyard.

Or we can cancel. We have paid a large deposit. And signed paperwork, but nowhere does it say anything about a non-refundable deposit in the paperwork, or what happens if we cancel a booking.

My worst fear is that we will loose the deposit AND have to pay for the rest of the quote (Well over £1500).

So, any advice?

bump

I wouldn't cancel
The wedding is about you and your dp and what you mean to each other
You will have all your family and friends there who will understand
Just get your new dh to mention it as a umorous aside in his speech and all will be fine
It will cause you far more stress to cancel it

humorous aside

Tell him you want to cancel & see what he says?

Can any sort of temporary fencing be put up (trellis stuff?) to hide the vans?

You've sent out the invites. You aren't going to get another venue within 6 weeks. You will lose your deposit.

I sympathise, but it's time to take off your panic pants and put on your logical ones, grin and bear it. You will be so engrossed in all the loveliness of the day that you probably won't even notice, and if guests comment (which they most likely won't) then you can say that you thought it would be very handy if people could get a taxi home easily when the party ended!

If you are in the marquee you won't see them

Yes, but the idea was the marquee sides would be up and the children would play in the field and we would have our pictures taken there as well (weather permitting).

I have been ringing around other venues, and unbelievably there is one which has had a cancellation for the right day.

So, what to do?

I have tried ringing the landlord all day, on both his mobile and on the pubs landline, but everytime the phone goes to his answerphones.

get some temporary fencing from the local hire shop stick some flowers/balloons on it to pretty it up and you won't see the caravans

• or maybe the marquee company can put the tent up so the back is facing the caravans?

or buy a cheap marquee off ebay (I have one that is 9m*3m which was £90) and put it up with the 'back' in to screen the vans.

oh and tell the landlord you are "very disappointed" and is he able to do something (he may have had this before and be able to screen in some way???)

It isn't a marquee company, it's a marquee which is up all year, and owned by the pub.

did the landlord know you were planning to let children play in the field and have your photos taken there? If there was an understanding, you may be able to cancel without forfeiting your deposit, but could you get somewhere else at such short notice?

Yes, he suggested it!

I have found another venue, and I can live (just about) with losing the deposit. But don't want to have to pay for the buffet on top of it.

Do I have a legal obligation to?