Wedding lawsuit due to pandemic

You may want to re-read the contract throughly. Mines read along the lines of there was nothing I could do in a situation like this or "an act of God, etc."

This might sound harsh but, I don't think anything will come out of your lawsuit. Unless your contract states that you can cancel due to acts of God, I'm not sure you'll find a lawyer to take your case. It makes sense that your venue wanted you to move your date so you can get to keep your spot. However, if you cancel many venues state in contracts that they get to keep the money.

Here are some aricles I've found:
https://www.kmov.com/news/st-louis-couple-suing-wedding-reception-venue-for-not-returning-money/article_1a2c72a6-cbc0-11ea-844e-f3b49550625a.html#:~:text=louis-based%20attorney%20ken%20schwartz,due%20to%20covid-19%20restrictions.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/07/with-couples-wedding-on-hold-nj-banquet-hall-refuses-to-return-45k-deposit-suit-says.html%3foutputtype=amp

If you are based in America, I would particularly encourage you to re-read your contract in very fine detail. Where I am from in Australia, we have a thing called a 'costs order' where essentially, the winning party can have the losing party pay for their legal fees. From what I have been told (don't hold me to this), this doesn't exist in America, hence if you are from there (I say this purely because the majority of users are), then you will be out of pocket for legal fees, and you may incur more money fighting the venue than is worth while.

I am a lawyer here in Australia and I'm curious to know more about the circumstances though. You said your venue themselves cancelled and is asking you to choose a new date. What were the government restrictions at the time re COVID? What did the venue tell you when they cancelled? What is the venue saying now regarding a new date? and above all, what does your contract say?

Are you unhappy with the fact that your venue closed down during a deadly pandemic? Were you expecting that they‘d stay open for your wedding? I’m not sure if I understand the issue / basis for the lawsuit.

We need a little more detail. What exactly are you seeking legal counsel for? Sounds like the venue didn’t close but can’t accommodate your original plans so are asking you to pick a new date? Are they refusing to accommodate the same date with a smaller guest count or certain restrictions related to the pandemic?

I’m sorry you lost your dream wedding, this entire situation has been rough on everyone. It sounds like your venue was not able to host you in April on your date and wants you to choose another date, is that correct? They can’t force you to pick a new date, but depending on what your contact says they also may not have to refund you if you decide not to reschedule.
What are you hoping to get out of suing the venue? Are you hoping to get your deposits back? If your goal is to get back the money you paid, I would definitely read your contact and see what it says about acts of god.
I don’t know how much money you put down, but to me the cost of hiring a lawyer and going through the hassle of a lawsuit would just make this whole situation even worse. Nothing is going to give you your dream wedding on your original date. Not to sound mean or harsh, but it has been almost five months since your original date (per your WW profile), and it sounds like you’re still struggling with how this pandemic ruined your day. I think it’s important to mourn the loss of your dream wedding, figure out a new plan, and move on. Good luck.

View Quoted Comment I spoke with an attorney who went over the contract and said they in fact breached the contract. Nothing written in the contract that says if they have to reschedule or cancel they can do so. Only states no refunds if WE chose to cancel. Nothing along the lines of “an act of God” either.

View Quoted Comment The fact of the matter is, they cancelled. We were still willing to go through with it, they had no choice but to cancel due to state mandated orders.

Im with you crystal. Yes it is a breach of contract. I didnt book a city venue but we recently had our mayor shut it down... not sure why we arent a “hot spot” for this exaggerated “pandemic “, not to offened anyone but the numbers are not true. I work in a hospital and the news is reporting incorrect numbers since day one. So it sucks. Get your lawyer!!! Im just glad my wedding date is after the election .. good luck!!! Prayers

View Quoted Comment I had an attorney go over our contract and they said they have breached the contract. In America, you can sue for legal fees to be paid for as well. Yes, the venue had no choice but to cancel. The state of Texas had a mandated order for no gatherings. When they contacted us they told us unfortunately they had no choice but to “postpone”. I asked if we had the option of a refund and was immediately denied. They are only offering to postpone to a new date, forcing a new contact that is re-written and different from the original. Original contract stated that they would not reimburse for any reason if WE were to cancel. It said nothing about force majeure.

View Quoted Comment We eloped on our property on our initial date, nothing to reschedule. Even if we would consider rescheduling, we’re the only ones located in our state. All family members are located throughout the US and Europe. With the world in shambles, we don’t feel comfortable locking in another date. Especially re-signing a new contact that is re-written that would definitely screw us if we had to postpone again.

View Quoted Comment

What was the actual government mandate about no gatherings? If they had to cancel, then depending on what the contract says, you should be getting a refund. Again, it depends on the contract because they may have the right to cancel the booking without reimbursing you if another date can be accommodated.

Good luck!

So I was in the exact same situation. I consulted with a lawyer who said I had to file a small claims suit. Our deposit was 1500. It confused me and I was too stressed to actually do it so we just let it go. But the lawyer thought we would've won. But I couldn't figure out how to file and there was no point of paying a lawyer to do so for the amount we wanted back it probably wouldve been a wash anyway.

View Quoted Comment The mandate was no gathering more than 10 people

View Quoted Comment Our dream wedding was completely paid in full, 25k. We were two weeks away from our wedding date when they called us and cancelled. The contact saying nothing about acts of god. All it states is, for any reason we cancelled there is absolutely no refunds. We didn’t cancel, they did. My husband and I eloped on our property on our date. So there is nothing to reschedule, like they’re trying to force.

View Quoted Comment I’m so sorry y’all went through similar circumstances. Our wedding is paid in full, 25k

View Quoted Comment The venue couldn’t have any gatherings. The mandate was for no more than 10 people gathered. My husband and I eloped on our date so there is nothing for us to reschedule.

View Quoted Comment Oh man yea then it would definitely be worth getting someone to help you get that back. It sounds like yours was worded like mine and you have a case. Good luck!!!

View Quoted Comment The state was closed due to a global pandemic lol you are wild. You’re about to lose a ton of money and energy on this.