Wedding refund help

[weddinghelp1]

Hi,

I was wondering if someone can please help.

I booked my wedding venue with two years in advance, I am now 2 years and 3 months away from my wedding day.

This wedding venue is a " do it yourself " wedding venue.

We had to pay a £600 deposit and then we had different options on when to pay the remaining. The rest all had to be paid 8 weeks before the wedding. - fine.

We arranged with the wedding venue I would pay monthly £100 and therefore it would mean that I would off paid off the wedding venue with abit of money spare to go on welcome drinks for the guests.

We have been going through fertility treatment therefore we have now decided we would like to cancel our wedding, I'm sure this happens a lot.

We was aware that we would lose £600 as we know deposits are non-refundable.

I emailed the venue and explained the situation to which my surprise they emailed back saying that " as per the contract there will be no re-funds"

I have emailed back again asking for a copy of the contract as I'm sure I never received one!! I know I signed paper work but there was absolutely no small print with it that I remember having to read.

If I hadn't of chosen to pay monthly, they only would of had the £600 deposit?

I'm also giving them a year and 3 months notice, so they wouldn't of yet purchased anything etc for my wedding day?

Does anyone know if I am in my right to get the rest of the money back ( not deposit) ?

I'd be owed around £1100. The venue was really quick to email back to say I wouldn't be able to get a refund, now I have asked for a signed copy of the contract he has gone cold and not responded.

I really don't know what to do in this situation. I've been really polite in the emails and explained our situation. I just don't know what to do?? Am I right in thinking I should get atleast some of the money back or the £1700 I've paid? The venue was only £2700 all together.

So they are keeping over half of the hire cost for nothing?

Please someone clever come along and tell me I stand a chance of getting some of my money back.

Sorry 1 year and 3 months away from the wedding date

Usually depends what's in the contract - definitely get a copy if you can.

I lost £2.5k on my wedding venue when cancelling 18 months in advance - it all comes down on the terms you agreed to.

Good luck!

I agree, it will all depend on the contract you signed. At my venue how much you have to pay depends on how much notice you give.

Hi wedding coordinator here, sorry but I agree with the business. You’ll certainly not get your deposit back (fair enough) but you’ve paid in advance & if it is in the contract you don’t have a leg to stand on. However if it’s not in the contract about the further payments then I agree you should have your money back (I’d be very surprised if they didn’t explain this in contracts, that’s why they are for).

Also the venue haven't done nothing with your money, they worked hard to secure your date. Possibly turned down other brides & grooms who wanted that date so lost business!!

You have also been very silly not to have a copy of your contact! Contract books usually have three copies, one stays in the contract book, one on your personal file & then you get a copy. Surely you received one if they are a professional business.

Harsh @Mixitupalot! Our venue got us to sign a single sheet of T&Cs and then emailed us a copy. That’s not that hard to loose.

Good luck getting the rest of the money back OP. It’s probably not something they’ve come across before. 🤞🏻

@Mixitupalot

We didn't receive anything like this! We have emailed asking for it and they are not responding as we said!!

@MabelTheCow

Thank you!!

This is common sadly. My venue had a non-refundable £500 deposit but it also states in the contract that should we cancel all payments made to date will be forfeited.

How have you been paying? I guess not credit card so probably no recourse that way?

Hi ladies,

Thank you for your replies!

Okay so I finally received the contract back however it's not even filled out properly.

It states £1000 is a non refundable deposit. So fine, they owe us £700?

What do we do?!

Ask for a refund, you usually have to do this in writing. An email is sufficient.

If they refuse then it’s small claims court after that.

If your contract isn’t even correct believe me you’ve had a lucky escape. Imaging what your day would be like if they can’t even fill in a form properly.

@Mixitupalot

Thank you!!

Gosh I know!! I think we are going to contact citizen advise to ask them to help us write up one last email.

If they still dig their heels in we will have to go to the small claims court!

If it turns out that you can't get your money back see if they would let you change the date, maybe you could get married a year later (but don't pay them anymore money until eight weeks before the wedding this time - put £100.00 a month into a savings account instead so you have the money to pay when the date comes).