venue closing Down! :(

I can absolutely understand your desire to postpone, but legally the only thing that matters is your contract with this venue. What does the contract say about postponements and cancellations? They’re allowed to renovate and since your date isn’t with the renovations date or the shelter-in-place order, I’d guess you’ll forfeit whatever deposit you’ve given them if you cancel.

Oh, no, I'm so sorry!

I think the best thing to do is to look over your contract, maybe speak with a lawyer, but also wait it out a bit.

I'm not yet confident that New York will be allowing large gatherings by September, so your venue may yet have to offer refunds or other postponement plans. However, the best advice we have is: Have a Plan B, be flexible, and don't make decisions until you *have* to.

Also, see if you can find other couples who are having problems with this same venue. Banding together never hurts, in terms of brainstorming and negotiating.

What’s your venue? I’m getting married in Long Island as well.

I would read your contract again. If things doesn't work out with this venue, you can always cancel with this venue and seek another one. I am sure there are many great venues out there.

I would go over your venue contract and see how you can protest it. My venue contract is for "approximately 100 guests", so if the state/county/city/whatever is not allowing gatherings of 100 people, the venue is not able to uphold its side of the contract. I'm not sure what specifics your contract says, but depending on your intended wedding size, there's a good chance that the venue cannot legally hold your wedding, and therefore can allow you to postpone (or maybe cancel and get your money back?) It's worth a shot. Good luck!

I am so sorry that you are going through this, its really crappy for this venue to put its clients through this right now..

As other brides have suggested: First, read your contract very carefully.

Did you put down a deposit -or- a retainer? They are very different.

Second, decide what it is you truly want at this point. Do you absolutely want your wedding here? If so, ask if they would be willing to credit your amounts paid towards a future date.

If you are ready to wash your hands of this place, read your contract and seek a consultation with an attorney to figure out if you have any legal recourse AND which avenue will cost you more in the long run.

Good luck chica!