our rights?

[tracymort]

We booked our wedding reception venue in september but now, just 3 months from our big day they cancel on us (and 3 other couples). Now we have to cancel as we can't find another venue and will lose deposits. We will never be afford to get married again as we were on a very tight budget anyway. Nothing was signed when the reception was agreed but do we have any rights at all? i am so upset and very cross!

[andy hughes]

Hi Tracy. I'm so sorry to hear that your plans have been thrown off course in this way. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but in view of the fact that you have no wrotten contract, only I assume, a verbal agreement, it;s your word against the venue management's that you ever booked in the first place - nothing you can take to court. Is it not possible to find somewhere to hold your reception - even a village hall, or room above a pub, and ask all your friends and family to chip in with the food and drink? Scarely a replacement I know, but it's better than no wedding at all. I really do hope you sort this out before your big day, very best wishes, and I'm sure I speak for all on the AB wqhen I say youve had a real bum deal here, and I hope yourself and ytour partner can find a way around it.

[poadster]

4 couples all in the pooh! If I had all the spending power that lies behind 4 (even cutprice & basic) wedding receptions I recon I'd find a place .... get together, go bulk-buying, don't take no for an answer, & be imaginative. Try your local rugby club ... they'd be delighted to have the income. Or maybe outside catering at the community centre.

[sft42]

Ok....make a decision....you are either going to have to expend a lot of energy to try and get recompense from this venue or you can try and go ahead with you plans for the day.....don't try both.

If I was in your boat I would be tempted to get in touch with the other couples if you can and get together and fire off a solicitors letter to the effect that you intend as a group to take them to court to all recoup your losses....four sets of people acting as one plaintiff will have a much better chance of winning a case if as you say you all only have verbal contracts (they hold just as much sway in fact as a written contract but are just harder to prove they exist(ed) - ergo the idea behind four groups speaking as one voice).....an idea might be to get a friend to go in and see if they can book something else in the place and see what they use to keep track of their bookings...they must have some sort of diary system running, or perhaps not and that's what has caused the hassle in the first place.

If you do decide to get married then good luck....I would have more fun suing the ar5e of the reception venue.

[tracymort]

thanks all! actually all i fancy now is an apology. they won't even acknowledge the fact we booked it now! Even though we booked our wedding for that day (in person) and they said that would be the most convenient day for them! Now they reckon they have never spoken to us!!! So rude! 2 of the other couples have found alternative places. Problem being on a small budget is the cheap places go first. there's just one place free on that day but we can't guarantee we can raise the money for it, they want hire charge and minimum spend etc This place have just decided they don't want to do weddings anymore. No explanation!

[rinkytink]

Whatever you do next make sure you get some wedding insurance. It's sole purpose is to protect against instances like this.

[BenDToy]

tracyh - sorry to hear about this. This may help although I guess it won't be very grand. Many pubs have function rooms which they would be only too happy to let you use, most of them for free. They will be only too glad of the extra revenue. Ask around because I am sure you will find somthing to suit. Good luck, I hope you find a venue in time.

[apricot]

Tracy - it shouldn't spoil your day. Celebrate the fact that you are getting married and just enjoy yourselves. Have you considered hiring a marquee? They can be draped with chiffon and can look great. You would need a large garden/field though. Under the circumstances I am sure family and friends would rally to help. That's on the positive side. Conversely I would book a huge do with the venue and 'change your mind'. Nothing in writing of course. Revenge is sweet, childish but sweet nontheless. Please don't cancel for the sake of money, a flash wedding is not important in the big scheme of things