Skip to main content
ARE YOU A VENDOR?

Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

A
Just Said Yes May 2020

Cancelling our venue and they ask us to pay the full cost

Ashley, on May 9, 2019 at 6:46 PM Posted in Wedding Ceremony 1 21
Saved
Reply
Hello,
We have to cancel our wedding due to personal issues and our venue is asking us to pay the full wedding cost in order to cancel. So far we’ve only paid the deposit. The contract says we are responsible for the remainding balance in case of cancellation. Is there any way to get out of this? We are cancelling for a financial reason and we cannot afford to pay $10,000 more... wedding is next May and it is a popular venue that will be booked instantly if we let go of our date. I think it is unfair that this venue gets paid twice for the same date. Should we get a lawyer? Please let us know if anyone has any experience!

21 Comments

Latest activity by Michael, on June 11, 2024 at 1:37 PM
  • Kelly
    Champion October 2018
    Kelly ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Unfortunately if the contract says you’re responsible for the remaining balance in event of cancellation there really isn’t a way around that.
    • Reply
  • Kiana
    Dedicated June 2019
    Kiana ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    If you signed the contract saying that I don’t think you can cancel and get out without paying. The only solution I can think of is to maybe push your date back a year with the venue so you aren’t “canceling” just “changing”.
    • Reply
  • Jackie
    Beginner October 2019
    Jackie ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    If it’s in the contract there’s really not much you can do. Ours stated we’d owe full amount unless they booked another wedding that day. I agree to try to push wedding back if that is not an option for you.
    • Reply
  • C
    Savvy September 2020
    Chrissy ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Not trying to sound harsh cause I really feel for your situation but this is why there are contracts. I don’t understand why you’d think you can change it due to personal circumstances. You signed it. I’m sure you can make payments. If it was me I’d just see if you can move the date up a year as opposed to cancelling. Best wishes.
    • Reply
  • earias
    Champion December 2017
    earias ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    While I am a lawyer in California that deals with contracts, among other things, this is not to be construed as legal advice. I recommend you find an attorney in your state who can help you. I have had to negotiate on behalf of my clients to help them get out of contracts due to financial hardships, especially several years ago during the recession. The venue has no legal obligation to release you from the contract, but often times getting an attorney to help advocate for you and negotiate with the venue will make all the difference. Attorneys get paid by billing you by the hour, and in my area this can be anywhere from $250-$360 per hour. When I have had to negotiate situations like these, it would have cost the client at least $1,000 or more. In your case, it is much cheaper to pay an attorney $1,000-$2,000 than $10,000 to the venue.

    • Reply
  • Meghan
    Master October 2019
    Meghan ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    If you signed a contract agreeing to pay the full amount if you cancel, then you are most likely stuck paying the full amount. Like everyone has said, this is why venues make you sign contracts 😕
    • Reply
  • CDickman
    VIP September 2019
    CDickman ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    You signed a contract that is saying you agree to
    the terms. So a lawyer can’t help. If you don’t pay they can sue you. You could ask to name payments. Also this late in the gams a month away most people already have everything booked.
    • Reply
  • CDickman
    VIP September 2019
    CDickman ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Oh sorry a year away. I would just ask about Payment plan. A lawyer will cost you money time off work plus the venue fee.
    • Reply
  • VIP September 2019
    ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Unfortunately I think you are obligated especially since it stated those terms in a contract that you signed.
    • Reply
  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    1) Can you explain to them enough of the situation as to why you’re canceling (you don’t have to share here), hopefully they’ll understand? Or 2) Can you postpone and choose a different date? Hopefully guests haven’t made travel arrangements yet and maybe pushing it back 6 months or so would help you?
    • Reply
  • D
    Super July 2020
    D ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I would try to change the date. Also unless your guests booked with a travel agent or perhaps directly with an airline they can't get tickets that far in advance. I'm even sure they can get them that far in advance from the airline or travel agent.
    • Reply
  • Katelyn
    Devoted May 2017
    Katelyn ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    As a lawyer in Virginia, great thoughts (not advice). Just because there's a written contract provision doesn't mean a judge will automatically enforce it. Also having an attorney advocate for you may make the venue willing to negotiate for with you over the payment. Plus if they have to fight to enforce the contract, it will cost them money too. I suggest at least talking to a lawyer.
    • Reply
  • A
    Just Said Yes May 2020
    Ashley ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Thank you everyone for the response! The issue has been resolved thank you Smiley smile
    • Reply
  • Katrina
    Just Said Yes October 2020
    Katrina ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    I am in the same situation can you please email me at *********@*****.*** to tell me what the solution was or how it was resolved. I booked a venue and I cancelled a year in advance and they are trying to get me to pay $10,000 for the facility and food.
    • Reply
  • Katrina
    Just Said Yes October 2020
    Katrina ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    Email or message me so I can figure out what to do in my situation lol. I think it blocked out the email.
    • Reply
  • Katie
    Devoted March 2019
    Katie ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    If you've signed the contract agreeing to pay the full amount in case of cancellation then you may be stuck legally. Review the contract again to be sure, as many will have stipulations such as "if bride/groom cancel within 60 days of event date, full amount will be forfeited" "if bride/groom cancel before 60 days of the event, all deposits will be forfeited"

    The language in your contract is very important here, and if you want it could never hurt to have it reviewed by a lawyer, but if the language is clear that the full amount is due any time the event is cancelled, then the expectation is clear. So sorry this happened!

    • Reply
  • A
    Just Said Yes November 2021
    Ashley ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    How did you resolve it
    • Reply
  • W
    Just Said Yes September 2023
    Wendy ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    But they can sue you?
    • Reply
  • M
    Just Said Yes June 2024
    Michael ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    I’d there are certain causes that are not in your control how can you say that. Lots of things can happen between the signing of a contract and the date of the wedding. Natural causes, financial issues, family emergencies that might happen. Things that you can’t see coming. There has to be a way to find a middle ground.
    • Reply
  • T
    Just Said Yes March 2025
    Teej ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    Hi ashely how as you able to get oput of the contract i am in the same situation can you email me @****.******@*****.***

    • Reply

You voted for . Add a comment 👇

×

Related articles

16 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Officiant
Officiants 16 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Officiant It's time to find the perfect person to perform your ceremony.
How to Deal With a Last-Minute Wedding Vendor Cancellation
Trends & Tips How to Deal With a Last-Minute Wedding Vendor Cancellation Even if you've planned your wedding to perfection, emergencies can still happen....
How Much Does a Destination Wedding Cost?
Advice and Etiquette How Much Does a Destination Wedding Cost? If you're in the early stages of wedding planning, you might be wondering how...
Read more articles
WeddingWire celebrates love ...and so does everyone on our site! Learn more

Groups

Show more

WeddingWire article topics