What to do if a wedding venue double books?

Question

Our wedding venue double booked us. I'm not really sure what to do now. Their best solution was another room that is nowhere near comparison. I understand that mistakes happen, but this is ridiculous. I feel like I'm back at square one, because to get the room I want I'll have to change my wedding date.

Other venues are not an option, as I fell in love with this location and it is perfect for the needs of my guests. What should we do?

Answer 1

Hi,

I have found this site to be useful. Check it out.

Answer 2

Leave this venue. 10 days to get back to you and double booking is a disgrace! I understand that you dont want to go anywhere else, but if this is what they are like leading up to your wedding, what can you expect on the big day?? Dont let them ruin your day, move on and find somewhere else. Get your deposit back and if you had a contract with them, see what it says about double booking. You may be able to sue them for breach of contract!

Answer 3

i am very sorry to hear that this happened to you,

unfortunately, it is a common practice to over book reception halls in the idea that 50% of bookings will cancel by the event date.

and this guarantees that the hall and staff will not be standing alone.

did you research other property's before settling on this one ?

try the local golf courses and country clubs ,

they will normally have a couple public rooms for rent at a fair price.

the room you rented needs to refund your deposit plus the cancellation fee that they were going to charge you for the inconvenience. they canceled on you..

Answer 4

I had a similar issue.  We had booked a certain room, and then she told me that there was already another wedding planned there and she offered me a different room.  We didn't like that room as much, so we ended up changing our date for the following weekend.  It was disappointing, but it didn't turn out to be a huge deal.  Maybe you can ask them to tell you when that room is available and see if any of those dates will work for you.  If you really love the room, it could be worth it!  You want these memories to last forever, so don't settle if you're not happy.  

Answer 5

If you have a contract with the venue (I hope to lord you did) what does it say about situations like this? If it doesn't say anything, then the venue is fair game and they should be cutting you STEEP discount for making you change your room. Threaten BBB action or whatever else it takes to get them to make you happy. You can also have them make adjustments to the room so that it's more pleasing for you. This is your day and you should enjoy it! I'm so sorry they did that to you.

EDIT: After reading a posters comment about the previous question and reading the question myself, you do need to RUN not walk away from this venue. I don't care how much you love it. If you haven't sent out invites or anything yet, you need to get the heck out of there because you're only going to have more issues. Them double booking hopefully gives you the ability to bow out and get your deposit back, check your contract.

Answer 6

Who booked first, them or you?  Whoever signed the contract first should have room choice.

If you were second to do so request a size able discount on the other room due to their mishap.  

Or move it to an avaialbe date and get the room you want, but again request a discount for the trouble!

Answer 7

Tell them you need some other amenities or discounts in exchange for agreeing to the alternate room or you will pursue the return of your deposit and be looking elsewhere (even though you probably won't.)  This is absolutely ridiculous and you deserve to throw a controlled fit to get what you need from them.

I assume the other party booked first. Are you sure? Try to find out for a fact why they are moving you instead of them and try to convince them to ask the other party to move instead. It may be that they are less emotionally attached to the room. If they are, then it would be more fair for you to have the room.

Use the discount you get to get more flowers, lights, whatever to make the secondary room really beautiful.  You will be so happy on your wedding day, going to a different room really won't make a difference in the greater scheme of things.

It was really irresponsible of them to double book and they should be doing more to make it right.

But, you should be at least as focused on having a great MARRIAGE as you are on the piddly little details of your wedding.

Answer 8

If they made a mistake tell them that you will not change the venue and thats the venue you want ask them to approach the other couple to see if they may accept the other room, if that doesnt work speak to the manager of the venue and explain that this is the location you have set your heart on, and that you are not willing to take a room that is nowhere near as nice in comparison than the room you originally chose, ask him how he will resolve the problem for you explain that if you cannot get the room you chose that you will have to move your original wedding date and ask him if he is then prepared for covering all costs for doing this! as no doubt you may lose deposits already paid to other companies if its a last minute thing, if he is still refusing to do anything good for you then I would seek legal advice casually drop this into the conversation to the venue manager after all as you said its their mistake and its a mistake that should never have happened, and could potentially put your big day under threat not to mention the huge amount of stress you are having to endure because of it good luck! Gilly x

Answer 9

Ask for them to book at another time,but to give a discount and you talk them down, don't just take their first offer.  Also, ask for other things until you both have compromised and come to a deal.  If you are in the beginning of your planning then changing the date will be ok.  Just let them know that if it happens again, you will be seeing them in court and they will be seeing bad press about themselves. Let them know that you will be taking measures to find other complaints against them from other people. In the business of booking weddings and other events, it is important for them to have a good reputation, and by letting them know you are unhappy and you will take steps to let others know, they better do something to keep their good reputation. Find out why the other people are getting that date and time.  

Answer 10

Change your date, and push for a huge discount.  

Answer 11

Well, you can tell them that they need to accommodate you with what they originally agreed to or you want your money back.  You will need to check your contract though and see what it spells out for this kind of situation and what your rights are.

However, if you refuse to find another venue, and they refuse or don't legally have to accommodate you, then you are kind of stuck.

Good luck.

EDIT:  Wait a minute, are these the same people that never call you back in your previous question??  If so, you desperately need to find a different venue, this all is starting to spell disaster.

Answer 12

If you really want to use this venue, I'd ask them to lower the price or throw in an amenity for their mistake. But honestly, that's very irresponsible of them. I'd make sure that ridiculous mistakes won't happen on the day of your wedding...