Legality of Venue Canceling Because of Casino Renovations Last Minute

I was typing fast because of my anxiety but the specific ballroom is now not available.

Does your contract with them specifically state that you will have access to that particular ballroom? If so, you might be able to get a refund, since, in that scenario, they would have promised something they no longer can provide. In any case, check with the venue to see if they're willing to refund in this scenario. If they are not, maybe check with a lawyer to get their opinion.

View Quoted Comment Yes my contract specifically says a certain ballroom. They are willing to refund but I'm upset we are within 4 months. Like I feel like they should pay for more because I've already gotten things personalized with their hotel name ie invitations, etc for our guests and contracting vendors.

View Quoted Comment That's awesome that they're willing to refund! That is the right thing for them to do. I understand where you're coming from - it's definitely frustrating having spent money on those things, only to not be able to use them due to change in venue. You could always figure out the total cost of what you've spent on things that were personalized with the hotel info on it (and include copies of receipts and pictures/copies of the personalized items) and request that they refund you for them. However, I don't know if they'll actually refund you for it, since they aren't really liable for that. It may be worth a try though, worst they can say is no! I would maybe wait to ask about the additional refund until after you receive the refund for your deposits first.

I completely understand your disappointment, as well as the frustration with having spent money on items that will now have to be re-purchased because of the venue change. However, if I were you, I would take my refund and run! A lot of venues are going bankrupt, leaving couples completely out of all the money they have paid them. And many others are forcing couples to seek legal representation to recoup their money for canceled events. If this venue is offering to refund all your money without having to spend the time and money to get legal representation, go to court, etc. then I would definitely accept that offer ASAP and chalk up the rest as a loss. If you are dead set on trying to recoup some of that money as well, I certainly would not mention it until after you have received a complete refund from the venue. And even then, I would be fully prepared for them to say no, as it really is not their responsibility legally or otherwise.

I agree with others about taking the refund.

I agree with others, if you are being offered full refund and don't like their other options, then take it. Not to sound callous, as I know you had your vision, but there are so many brides postponing their weddings until 2022 that you should have no problem booking elsewhere in next month or so (and probably at a discounted rate). My daughter had to change her venue within 2 months of her wedding and, as heartbroken as she was, it was a blessing in disguise.

April I am so sorry for you!!! That’s ridiculous of this venue and they kept you out of the loop like that. Smh. Geesh so much for looking out for your fellow man. Like covid brides aren’t going through enough. I asked my lawyer husband and this is what he wrote (sorry it’s so long - lol)

Congratulations on your engagement, and I am sorry to hear about your situation. I am a lawyer, but let me first say that a lawyer can only give legal advice to an actual "client". Also, I am not familiar with the law in your state, nor have I reviewed your specific contract.

However, I can give some general information about contracts. My inclination is that the facility is likely violating your contract. Each part is entitled to the “benefit of the bargain” - what it signed up for and promised to give/receive. You are entitled to your agreed upon venue in exchange for paying the agreed upon price. Now if that specific room became uninhabitable (fire, asbestos, etc) or some cause beyond the facility’s control, it likely wouldn’t be in violation to offer a similar accommodation. Here though, it appears the facility is unilaterally rendering the ballroom unavailable by the decision to remodel, a decision entirely in its control. If it agreed to rent you that specific ballroom, and it’s only excuse is that it has now decided to remodel, I think that is a breach of the contract.
The practical problem is that not much can be done to save the space for your wedding date. If you went out and rented a comparable room at a higher price, your measure of damages (recovery) from the original facility is the excess amount you had to spend to get a comparable room elsewhere. Or if you elected to not use the alternative space proposed, I don’t think the facility would be successful in pursuing a claim against you for walking away from the deal. If you do elect to use the alternative space in the original facility, you should renegotiate the terms/price and know that you are in a position of strength. The only other option may be to negotiate with the facility for a later start to the project or to threaten litigation, but that gets expensive and is often cost prohibitive. I would (1) aim for a better price on the alternative space, or (2) walk away and try to find a comparable space, and try to get the original facility to cover the overage.
This comes from a couple who had to change both their ceremony and reception venues on short notice due to COVID. For what it is worth, our backup worked out better than the original and yielded a significant savings, and we are just as happily married as we would have been under the original plan. That’s because marriage isn’t about a date or a venue but the bond between you and your FH.
You have my best wishes. - Covid Lawyer Groom

Being that we are 3 months out? Can they compensate you maybe give you back some of the money and you still have the wedding there? It may be an inconvenience to change the wedding and all the vendors, and the favors, and resend out invites. As upsetting as it may be they seem to be working with you, and you may be able to pull a lot out of this for the inconvenience.


I love that they are willing to refund you, seems like they are willing to work through this mess they have caused.

View Quoted Comment Hi. What they are offering is a meeting space not a ballroom. That's not my style. Its just just conference room.. A bland conference room versus a lavish ballroom. She mentioned a refund so I'm hoping once I calm down and talk again tomorrow it's a full refund. I'd rather go somewhere else at this point. I don't know why they would sign a contract and take 8K and then 6 months later tell me they starting renovations for a casino and changing a ballroom into part of the casino. Absurd! Thanks for the comment. Definitely will be back tomorrow with a update.

I would be very concerned that they did not tell you till you paid the second payment. That is quite fishy to me - I would get that money as fast as possible.

View Quoted Comment Yes!! Take that redbud and run for the hills. In the meantime, start looking at other potential venues. Good luck.

Refund** (typo)

I would just change the venue. Why even attempt to book another room at this place who already let you down. I know you are in a time crunch but t can been done. I would start doing this asap so you can update your vendors. I would be very upset too.

UPDATE: I was able to get my money refunded and found another venue! Its great. However if you're planning a wedding at the Fairmont El San Juan in PR please be cautious. Thats the venue that cancelled on me last minute after I paid thousands of dollars and signed a contract due to they last minute deciding to do casino renovations and include the Gold Ballroom. Their communication and level of concern for the stress they've caused is absurd. I didn't feel like they cared. I asked for me to compensate me at least for the invitations and never got that. I'm pleased that they did give me my refunds back. They did offer me a meeting room which is literally a conference room even though what I was contracted for was for a ballroom. Major difference I actually chuckled that they thought that would be a suitable exchange.