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Original poster

Lost our deposit....now what?

24 replies

SOSHelp · 28/12/2018 16:42

I posted about this on another section, but I hope no one minds me posting here.

We have booked a small registry office wedding in June. As e only wanted 15 people or so for the reception, it took a while to work out where to go for something to eat - church halls are not usually available during the week, and restaurants/hotels are funny about weddings, charging double etc. I didn't want to lie and say it wasn't a wedding as I thought this could cause problems.

We paid a £250 (50%) deposit to rent a tea room, with catering for our guests. The tea room has recently closed down, and the two former owners (ex partners), are blaming each other. Each is saying the other is in charge of refunds, and then saying they have no funds.

As a result I don't think I'm going to get the money back. Our reception budget was £500 so it's really upsetting.

I wondered if anyone could advise me on what we can do now for our reception? We don't have a garden so can't do anything at ours, and we don't know anyone with suitable space either. Is it really awful to have a ceremony with no reception?

OP posts:
WhenLifeGivesYouLemonsx · 28/12/2018 16:45

My husband and I got married in a registry office. Nothing bad about it at all! It's just a bit of paper at the end of the day.

FantailsFly · 28/12/2018 16:47

I'm so sorry - no one needs that hassle. If you paid by credit card you might be able to get it back from the credit card company ...

Original poster
SOSHelp · 28/12/2018 16:48

Unfortunately it was bank transfer

OP posts:
MooMummy12 · 28/12/2018 16:48

A local social club?

Redglitter · 28/12/2018 16:48

Cant you try and book a village hall type venue theyre usually cheap. Use the remainder of your budget to make your own buffet. You shoud be able to do a buffet for 15 well within your budget

LIZS · 28/12/2018 16:49

Village hall with food from supermarket ordering/ local bakery? Private room in a pub?

tattychicken · 28/12/2018 16:49

A local cricket club or rugby club? Good value, you can most prob provide the food yourself and the bar is normally cheaper than the average pub or hotel.

tattychicken · 28/12/2018 16:50

Whereabouts are you looking to get married? Someone local might have some suggestions.

AaahhwoooooOOOOooOOOOo1 · 28/12/2018 16:52

Whereabouts are you looking to get married? Someone local might have some suggestions

This.

veggiepigsinpastryblankets · 28/12/2018 16:53

We had our reception for 10 at a local foodie pub. They had a reasonably priced set menu (which they adjusted to include our favourite dish off their normal menu) and didn't charge us any extra despite knowing it was a wedding reception. Try Googling private dining rather than function room as that will hopefully get you venues suited to a nice meal with friends rather than a big party.

Really sorry to hear those bastards took your deposit. I hope someone with legal experience has some ideas about how you can get your money back.

FleeceDetective · 28/12/2018 16:55

Is it just a sit down meal for 17 you’re looking for? You aren’t obliged to inform them it’s a wedding if so, just a group booking meal in any restaurant/hotel would be fine.

Ragwort · 28/12/2018 16:57

Agree with the suggestion of a local cricket or rugby club, less likely to be busy during the week, sort your own catering out. Or what about a church ‘room’ rather than a church or village hall? Our church has rooms for hire during the week, you would not be expected to hold your wedding there.

MrsChollySawcutt · 28/12/2018 16:57

Have a look at local pubs - most are not doing at all well at present and would probably be delighted to have 15 covers for a meal and drinks without a huge wedding related mark-up. You may be lucky and find one that will let you have a private area for free.

mumsastudent · 28/12/2018 17:00

why did you start this new one- I don't understand as you got loads of helpful information & this is just repeating the thread?

Original poster
SOSHelp · 28/12/2018 17:03

@mumsastudent the other thread was more for help with the legal side/taking action about money. I've posted in the wedding section for practical help/ideas about what to do re. the reception.

Re. village hall - they don't seem to be available on week days

OP posts:
ArnoldBee · 28/12/2018 17:07

Community centres/ church halls etc may be a case of persuading someone to open for you. If you go down this route Morrison's party platters and job done!

Ragwort · 28/12/2018 17:07

Scout Hut? Grin

ArnoldBee · 28/12/2018 17:08

Www.farmhouseinns.co.uk and you can all have a carvery for around £6.00 ,each.

OliviaBenson · 28/12/2018 17:09

Set menu at a nice restaurant- you don't need to say it's a wedding. Lots of places might have a small private room to rent.

NorthernSpirit · 28/12/2018 17:09

Regarding getting your funds (£250) back - formally write to the business / both owners asking for a refund. Tell them you want a response in writing within 7 days or you will issue a money claim online.

www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/web/mcol/welcome

If you doesn’t get a response, or a satisfactory replay issue a MCOL (Money Claim Online). It’s the online small claims court. Your case should be straight forward and the debtor / s should be forced by the court to pay you back in full or in instalments. They will also have to pay your fees.

littlepotatoes · 28/12/2018 17:12

Are you near a beach/wood/Park? Can you do a picnic or BBQ type of thing?

ArnoldBee · 28/12/2018 17:13

Or www.tobycarvery.co.uk/restaurants#

Redken24 · 28/12/2018 17:15

Don't mention it's a wedding anyways it hikes the price right up.

mumsastudent · 28/12/2018 17:30

actually I mentioned ideas as did others on that thread - so I am a little confused about this...re pubs, outside venues etc & using supermarkets - you need to clarify this - others mentioned asking family if they could use homes/gardens as venue - I suggested approaching the partner - regardless of whatever he says he is still liable & you can use small claims court particularly as they are not a ltd company ask CAB for help/advice with that bit. See if your town has local facebook page where you can do open plea for advice for local room/space you do not have to talk about the loss of money. As its in June a garden party/bqb & perhaps seeing if you can get small marquee should it rain etc

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