Venue Witholding Money from Covid Cancellation

Are they saying you can reschedule for another day, or just saying you get nothing? You could go to small claims court which doesn't cost more than a couple hundred in filing fees as you generally don't require a lawyer for that. You would want to make sure you have a written contract and receipts.

Are they not offering you the opportunity to move your wedding to a new date? AND refusing your money? If so that's very shady.

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This is more money than small claims handles. When we started down the rescheduling route, they never sent a new contract. We started to pivot away from the idea when we realized that we would not be able to afford the wedding at this point, especially as they have been holding so much money, we have had to tap into other resources to get through the shutdowns. Because we never signed anything else, and they have very publicly stated multiple times that if we didn't want to move forward we would be refunded in full. I have our contract, and ever conversation via email saved.

That sounds so sketchy. Talk to the consumer reports team at local news stations to see what they are able to do. Then work with a small claims lawyer.

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Ugh I have no good advice, just sorry you have to go through that!

I want to make sure I understand this correctly..


1. The venue has never offered in writing for you to reschedule your wedding?
2. The venue has said in writing that you can cancel the wedding and they will refund you the full amount?

View Quoted Comment They have offered to either reschedule or refund. In emails, and very publicly in published interviews. We have requested a refund. They are refusing to pay any money. This is the same situation another couple I know is in.

View Quoted Comment This seems like a pretty airtight case in your favor then. A lot of venues have been able to successfully dodge refunding couples’ money by arguing that the couple signed a contract that said there would be no refunds in the event the couple decided to cancel the wedding. So, by offering to reschedule to another date, the venue was able to side-step having to refund the money. However, your venue stated in writing that they would refund you even though you were choosing to cancel, so they should be held accountable for that. I would contact a lawyer. At least get a free consultation with them and see if they think you have a case.

No, if it's in writing between you guys i would sue. who cares if they get upset with you, it's wrong. if the agreement was refund or reschedule & you picked refund i would expect the refund. if it's not been handled then sue. if they can't make it right for you, then you need to handle it for yourself. no one is going to look out for you like yourself. also sue for the fees you'll ecotour, because if they had just refunded like they stated they would you wouldn't have had to go to court.

I think there's no way around at least paying a lawyer for a consultation. There's no way any of us here can advise you about the legality of this, how much it might cost, or your chance of winning. But a local lawyer will be able to answer you pretty quickly.

Are you willing to share the name of the venue? In wedding planning mode myself, so want to stay clear of them.

I would go to a lawyer. They can reach out to the venue short of filing a lawsuit (called a demand letter). Once the venue sees that, they will probably pay (assuming they have any money left—if they don’t, that’s a different story).

Go to a lawyer, and have the amount for the money that you owe, plus attorney fees.

Call the police and record the conversion that you are having with the police and get a police report. Then go to the place that took your money and record yourself on what happen and possibly record conversions with them. If you go to court you will have lots of things for your case.

If you have evidence that they are promising a refund (emails, recorded phone calls, published interviews with them) and they are refusing to refund you, then I think you have a case. Its possible that by threatening legal action or with a strongly worded letter from a lawyer, you might be able to settle and get a refund without actually having to go to court and pay excessive fees.

Do either you or your partner have the option to consult a lawyer via your employer? Both my company and my husband's have legal counsel as a benefit. For my husband's company, its something he can sign onto for something like $100 year. For mine, its part of our Employee Assistance Plan and basically I have the option to consult legal counsel with a concern and they can give me advise on how to proceed. If that is something you have access to, you can have a lawyer or legal expert review your case at no/low cost and let you know what options you have to move forward.

I would also look at your contract and make sure there isn't any "act of God" wording in there that would void a refund. I'm not sure, but I think if you sign a contract that says your deposit is non-refundable due then even if a refund is offered, you aren't legally guaranteed one. Best to talk to a lawyer!

Before you record conversations with anyone, be aware that it’s illegal in some states to record conversations without consent.