Wedding deposit refund

[BlackST]

Hi,
Placed a deposit for our wedding next June roughly 6 months ago.
The deposit was £500.
My fianceés grandmother has been given 2 months to live due to some form of cancer so we want to bring the wedding forward.
The venue sent us a contract after we placed the deposit which we haven't actually signed and sent back yet.

How likely is it they would give us a deposit? I understand if they'd take an admin fee, £100 or so.
The venue is a busy venue, it's on a Saturday in June if that makes any difference regarding them being able to get a booking again.

I know I should call them, see what they say, but a quick PH thread only takes a few minutes to create and gather opinions.

[grimmac]

Call them and see what they say..

[LoonR1]

And the opinions will be a load of crap. You'll only thank those who say you'll get a full refund and the whole thread will have been a waste of time. Time that could have been spent ringing the venue.

[ging84]

call them up quick
they might bite your hand off to let you change the date if they've got a space to fill in the next couple of months.

[Soov535]

Call them. Explain. See what they say. Report back.

[Sheepshanks]

You'll get a full refund.

Is it this June (2015) or next June (2016)?

[btcc123]

So 6 months ago you gave the wedding venue a £500 deposit for your wedding in June 2016.After paying the deposit they sent you a contract to sign and send back to them so why did you not sign it and send back,seams a bit strange.

As others have said ring them to see if you can have an earlier wedding or for them to give you your deposit back.

[mgtony]

I take it you don't want to use the same venue for you brought forward wedding?

[BlackST]

June 2016.
The venue is quite alot of money which we just won't have in the next 2 months.

[FrankAbagnale]

I dont see why they wouldn't refund in full considering the circumstance. They'll be able to fill that spot!

But, there's only one way to find out...

[dingg]

I think you will have to let it go

non refundable deposit I'd say - tough luck

otoh they may be able to fit you in the next couple of months before the old dear snuffs it

[Rangeroverover]

Alas a deposit is there for a reason, I would only refund you if I managed to re-sell that date

[xuy]

Rangeroverover said:

Alas a deposit is there for a reason, I would only refund you if I managed to re-sell that date

My thoughts too, and was also my policy.

Wedding insurance would have covered this regrettable situation. Did you take it out, now you have started paying out for the wedding?

Also, what do their T&C's state?

And finally, the fact that the contract has not been signed and returned does not mean that it has not been accepted by both parties.

Edited by xuy on Monday 30th March 14:28

[Jasandjules]

June 2016? They should easily be able to refill that date so can refund your deposit.. Can't see they will suffer a loss, especially if as popular as you say.

[Rude-boy]

As said the only people who can really tell you is the venue.

Any intransigence would be met with the offer of a fee towards the admin but with it being well over 12 months away I can not see how they can claim that they claim any moral hold over the money and even if contractual would have fun in court.

Add to that that they will possibly be thinking of the come back via the local press, Tripadvisor and the like - I don't think that you will have an issue.

Put it this way I'd be after £100 fee and sending you back £400 in their shoes. It's not like it's only 3 months notice!

[Cyberprog]

I think given enough notice you should see almost all (save perhaps an admin charge) back from the venue. They have after all, over a year to re-sell that slot. Hell, even with 3 months I bet they could re-sell it.

[oldnbold]

I have both daughters getting married in the next 12 months, so I've looked at and read the booking conditions of a lot venue's, and just put 2 x £1k deposits down.

I can't remember one venue that has said that the deposit is refundable, most infact recommended that wedding insurance should be purchased once the deposit was paid.

I hope you do get your money back OP, but don't hold your breath.

[wolfie1978]

Whilst planning my wedding i remember the venue stating that if we cancelled they would only refund our deposit if they managed to re sell our slot. I expect most are the same

[allergictocheese]

The venue will refund you the money and send you a nice bouquet.

Do I get a prize?

[TankRizzo]

Why wouldn't you just pick up the phone instead of making a thread about it on a forum where nobody will be able to give you an answer?