Wedding cancelled - can money be returned?

Question

An October 4th wedding was planned. Couple cancelled in mid July. Notified appropriate vendors. The reception hall took deposit of $1,500.00 and then second payment was to be $6,000.00. The brides mom gave them $10,000.00 instead. The hall returned only $2,000.00 and the rest remains with them until they find out if they rent the hall on that day. If not I have lost $9,500.00. Should theyfight this in court? Technically they gave them $4,000.00 extra and should not have. Any advice?

Answer 1

You need to read your contract carefully.  Plus you should make sure that they are doing everything in their power to rent that hall for that day.  And you should carefully monitor whether or not it is rented and used that day (take pictures if you have to) to keep them honest.  The contract should spell out what happens and how much notice is needed in order to get a refund, partial or full or whatever.  But they do have to do due diligence in trying to rent it before just keeping your money usually.  Good luck and God Bless.

Answer 2

Read the written contract.

Answer 3

It depends what the contract says

post this on lawguru.com

Answer 4

Check the contract to see about refunding any monies with only 3 months notice.

I beleive that since you have payed more than the contract stipulated, you may have a case.

Good luck (and I'm sorry)

Answer 5

You need to look at your contract. That will indicate what your legal recourses are.  

Answer 6

Check your contract cause when i got married and every place that i looked at as long as you gave them like 90 days notice they only took the deposit-Contract is everything also maybe call a lawyer and see what they say even if you have to pay him like $200 it might save you the bulk of your money. GOOD LUCK

Answer 7

Unfortunately if it is in their contract then they can keep it. Have a legal advisor read the contract very thoroughly.

Answer 8

First- why the extra? Sounds a little funny unless paying the additional money towards catering fees or additional services.

Second- read the contract. There should be a portion on cancellations. Read that and see what their terms are on cancellations, what percentage they will keep, what portion will be returned if rented or un-rented for the date and if they have specific time frames that can affect the amount refunded if it is canceled 6 months or 6 weeks prior to the date.

Third- Depending on the specifics of the contract contact a local attourney to read over the contract and see if there is anything you may have overlooked. Then make sure they are working to rent the hall for the same day (have a friend call to see if the date is available) drive by the day of the event and take pictures to prove it was or was not rented.  

Answer 9

Just as the others say, check the contract.  

But many reception sites have that clause in their contract because they basically lost money that they could have made from another wedding or event that would not have been cancelled.  And October 4th is only one month away...not a lot of time at all to re-book the place.

Also, the couple should split the losses and pay the mother back.  It's not the mother's fault it was cancelled.