My wedding venue is breaching their contract, what should i do?

If its in their contract they have to follow it since its been signed and dated by you both and it was a legally binding agreement.

I would scan in a copy of their contract and let them know that the contract was signed at the agreed upon price, which needs to be honored for this wedding.

Agreed, I'd fight it since it's written in writing. The venue should've anticipated any potential vendor price changes and added a line stating so. As long as you keep it professional, I don't think they will do anything to harm your wedding. They're still a business and counting on their clients to be happy and write great reviews for future brides/grooms.

Just curious - is the chair vendor "preferred" or "exclusive". If it's preferred you should be able to find a different vendor to rent from, potentially saving you money. I might be misunderstanding.

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My understanding is that this is their preferred vendor since they've been working with them for so long and giving them so much business, they get a really great rate from them.

They argue the updated rate is still very competitive compared to other rental companies on the market but we still feel jipped.

I would fight for the price, if the contract states that's the price you are getting, that's the price you should be paying. Its been signed.

Otherwise you should be able to have something in exchange, is there an upgrade they can give you that is a comparable cost?

Get your copy of the contract and maybe look into a lawyer on the side. Tell them per contract, they must agree to that price, regardless of if the rental company raised prices. If they do not want to honor it, tell them you will be speaking to a lawyer about this issue. They'll straighten up.

Does it say anything about an "estimated" price from the vendor? It doesn't sound like they are authorized to act on another company's behalf, which is what they did by offering the chairs at this price. I would think that means they are obligated to provide these chairs (by contracting them from this or another company) and thus have to take the loss, given you are paying them X amount for it. I would send it to them and see what they say. If they don't agree, you might be out of luck because it will probably cost you more than $400 to fight this legally.

Unfortunately, the amount of money needed to hire an attorney to fight this will exceed the $400. Here, in California, the standard rate is anywhere from $250 to $400 per hour depending on location. I would shop around to see for yourself if this company really is cheaper than other companies. Don't be afraid to push back either. You mentioned you didn't want to ruin the relationship with this venue, but you also don't want to be a pushover either. I had to go a few rounds with my venue's coordinator and each time I won and got something extra added at no charge. As a lawyer, I'm used to that, though, but it doesn't mean you can't stand up for yourself and do the same.

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No it does not say estimated anywhere on the line. They verbally said this is an estimate but in writing it says they will supply for $x.

We definitely do not want to take legal action (given time and cost) so just wanted recommendations as to how others would proceed.

View Quoted Comment I mean I would nicely show them where they added that line in and say that you expect them to follow through with their contract. If they don't budge I would see if they would be willing to upgrade something to make up for that cost. I would include this in an objective, fact-based review of them afterwards.

Before doing anything I would go speak to a lawyer who offers free consults. Get their legal opinion and then go from there.

I do see your point. I agree with the other posters, see if they can give you some additional upgrades or add time to your event, whatever would lower your stress level. Make sure they know that this may effect their on-line review if their business is listed on Yelp, etc and I would also add that I will be making a video and reviewing my experience with their business on youtube as well.

They should then shave $400 off of something else to make you whole. If they can't make the chairs happen, they will have to shave $400 off somewhere else where you can see it line itemed out as a discount. Let them know you don't want upgrades or other stuff, you want your $400 applied elsewhere.