Help! nyc venue charging $10k to reschedule!

Will NYC even allow a wedding of 200 people in October? If the state or county orders limit gatherings to under 200 and your contract is for a 200 person wedding then legally the venue can’t uphold their part of the contract when it comes time for the wedding.


It depends on what your contract says, but usually if the venue is unable to perform their part of the contract the venue would either have to move your date without charge, or refund your money. But look at your contract to see what it says, it’s usually under force majeure. The issue is you won’t know what the orders are until you get closer to the date if you decide to wait and see. Sorry you’re having to deal with this!

Wow! I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this situation! Of all places NYC venues should be understanding! I can see $5000 max to reschedule. But 10 grand?!?! Are they out of their minds??!! Any other time I would understand their rescheduling fee, but it’s not like anyone is going to be booking a wedding for your current scheduled date! I’m surprised they’re even allowed to have a 200 person capacity with the current restrictions.

$10,000???? That’s insane! I would contact the news if I have to pay that much. And also change the venue. Sorry, op. Seems like your venue is terrible and money oriented 😕

View Quoted Comment I agree! Its in NYC too!!!! Its not like its in a place where there’s hardly any cases of Covid

View Quoted Comment Yup, especially NY! Like they don’t know what’s going outside their walls.

View Quoted Comment Ughh the audacity! I’m legit frustrated for this girl right now. I totally think she should go to the news and blast them on social media if they won’t work it out with her.

OMG that's insane. I'd contact a local news station or something

View Quoted Comment Oooh, that’s a good idea. And a lawyer.

I'm so angry on your behalf!
Yeah, I don't think NYC will allow 200 people by October. Broadway has been shuttered until at *least* September, and all other theatres, too.

This is ridiculous, and I agree that you need a lawyer.

That said, I think they'll have to change their tune by August...

That’s ridiculous they are saying you can have a socially distanced wedding when we don’t know what the regulations will be in October! $10k to reschedule is pretty crazy. I’d also probably contact a lawyer to push back on them saying you can have a socially distant wedding when there’s nothing to say gatherings of 200 will even be allowed.

Wow yeah, I think they are being super unreasonable. They think they can have 200 people plus vendors in October? In NYC? Agree with the other suggestions of getting a lawyer involved.

Wow. I had thought I heard it all but this is ridiculous. Do you not have a cancelation clause? I mean to cancel today is still months notice so they might require the retainer but to tell you to pay the whole amount? Seems fishy. Check your contract. My guess is this is that these unrealistic rules are so they don't go out of business.

Im on Long Island and my venue contract holds us respinsible for the costs if cancelations werent 6 months or more. Smh...our wedding is in August aswell. I doubt they will be able to uphold their end of the contract though for the minimum number of people required, which to me, means the contract is void and we should be able to cancel without having to pay. I highly doubt we'll be able to have large gatherings by then. Shoot, we havent event come off the stay at home order yet and L.I. hasnt met the requirements for reopening....What a shame though...Not knowing what the restrictions will be is killing me...I just want answers and nobodys got them. Hoping everything works out for you. Im sure it will, like I said, if they cnt uphold their end, then ur not reaponsible for yous.

Thank you all for your responses! This is obviously devastating and sours the whole experience, so I appreciate the outpouring of support.

This matter is further complicated by the fact that we booked the venue through our caterer who has a special relationship with them, so we don't actually have a contract with the venue directly, just the caterer who has been flexible and agreed to wave all of their fees, but we'd still have to pay the venue $6,500 (we originally booked the venue for $5,000 so this is more than doubling the price we budgeted for the venue).

Unfortunately our contract protects the caterer and not us (and they have their own contract with the venue). If we cancel, we owe 100% of the money (to both of them). We guaranteed a minimum 175 guests and if we don't meet the minimum we still pay the full amount.

They did not guarantee anything, so if the law prohibits an event beyond a certain number of people, they can simply force us to reduce the guest list to comply. The venue can hold 500 people, so if they're allowed to operate at 25% capacity, we'd have to reduce our guest list to 125 people (whether or not they show up). Since most of our guests, including our immediate families, are from out of town (and out of country), it's likely that they will be unwilling (if not unable) to travel.

The contract also has a non-disparagement clause that prevents us from doing anything that could damage the caterers reputation. If we go to the press and disparage the venue, it's unclear if that would constitute a breach since they are so closely affiliated (the caterer works exclusively with this venue).

View Quoted Comment

I hope your contract is more balanced than mine - the guaranteed minimum only applies to us, not them. So as long as an event of any size can take place, they say they can force us to have it, even if it means we have to move the whole thing outside (rain or shine), socially distance, and wear masks.

View Quoted Comment This doesn’t sound legal. I would definitely consult a lawyer.

That's such a terrible thing they're doing. Smfh... the only other thing I can think of is that nobody knows what the restrictions are going to be when we reopen. They may say gatherings up to 50 only. In which case, they cant hold you to a minimum # of people more then whats allowed by law and they surely cant charge you for it. Its just terrible that you even have to deal with this. Idk what I would do in ur situation. Id probably cancel and take the case to court..fight for what I believe to be right. But, honestly, its your wedding and whatever you decide, will be the right decision. Im sending a lot of prayers your way and to all of us brides going through this crappy time right now.

View Quoted Comment The nerve of the venue! During these unprecedented times they should be lenient. My wedding is October 17,2020 I opted Citi Hall and tried canceling at no success. The venue said no refunds. We postponed for spring 2021 and no fees or extra charge. Try postponing your date and this way is a win win. Currently all my vendors are open for New date and will not charge any fees for 2021. I hope your wedding is magical and will be a success. Avoid seeking legal action cause it will get more costly.