Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Just Said Yes September 2020

Venue won't let us move our Fall date.

Laura, on May 18, 2020 at 1:31 AM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 5

Saved

Flag
Hide content

Our original wedding date was September 26, 2020. After a ton of deliberation, we have decided that we want to postpone our wedding to 2021. Although Texas is opening up quickly, we don't feel confident that we'll be able to have our originally planned wedding with all 150 of our guests. We don't want to have to deal with all of the restrictions like each family gets their own table, everyone must be 6 feet apart, no dancefloor, no buffet, etc. Making these adjustments would change the entire vibe of the wedding. Not to mention 100% of our guests would be coming in from out of town, and we feel bad making them travel during this time.

On that note, we tried contacting our venue about postponing. They haven't started thinking about Fall weddings at all right now. Like most people's contracts, they have a force majeure clause; however, I'm guessing that this won't end up applying to us since the state has already began allowing weddings (with restrictions). If we want to reschedule, we have to pay a 50% fee. That's just way too big of a chunk of money for us right now. It doesn't feel fair that we have to be held to our original date when we can't even have the same wedding we signed up for. We would be paying the same price for a watered down version.
Do we have any leverage at all to get them to allow us to move our date for free (or even at a reduced fee)? We've explained our reasoning to them, but they said the only way for us to change our date is to pay the fee. I'm sure the answer is probably that we're SOL, but venting helps lol.

Flag
Hide content

5 Comments

Latest activity by Chelsea, on May 18, 2020 at 10:10 AM

Master August 2019
Rebecca · on May 18, 2020 at 1:53 AM
Flag

Hide content
Right now, I'd say either talk to a lawyer, or just vent.
That said, things may change before fall. Speaking as someone in the NYC metro area... it's just so hard to say what will happen now that TX is opening up.
If it is at *all* possible to wait a few weeks to see how things shake out, I'd suggest holding tight and calling back in June.
- Reply
Expert May 2021
Jaime · on May 18, 2020 at 7:54 AM
Flag

Hide content
Sorry you are dealing with this. We had contacted our venue about 3 months before our July 25th wedding and they weren't considering letting us pick a Plan B at that point as they were positive they would be holding weddings by late June. They have now reached out and are letting us pick a back-up and will let us officially change the date at the two month mark. So, I am not sure if this is true for your venue, but they may be holding out as long as they can until they will let you make an alternative plan. I know it is super hard to sit tight, but I think that is what you will have to do until the venue can come around the to the idea that events will need to be given the option to postpone.
- Reply
Expert May 2021
Michelle · on May 18, 2020 at 9:12 AM
Flag

Hide content
That sucks. Unfortunately when we are booking and paying we don’t pay much attention to what happens if we need to change it. Cause why would be change that date. I was very fortunate that regardless my venue will do one date change at No charge but after that it is the same as your 50% fee.
I know some companies are in trouble with class action law suits because they refuse to honour insurance or they have offered no money refunds for travel ect. Maybe call your local news to see if they are interested in Sharing your story, you never know, you venue may feel ashamed for not acting more human towards to covid situation
Having said all that, a contract is a contract. If it is in writing then there is not much you can do. They may be more flexible closer to the date depending on what’s happening. It may just be too far out to consider a date change. I’m sure they are dealing with a lot of date changes
Good luck!
- Reply
Super August 2020
Anna · on May 18, 2020 at 9:59 AM
Flag

Hide content
This is pretty standard right now I think. Our venue still isn't dealing with our August 8, 2020 wedding. I would keep waiting it out. Even if your wedding technically can happen they will likely be very flexible with you (guest count minimums, etc.)... but they can't guarantee the flexibility to you now because they don't know what September will look like either.
- Reply

Expert September 2021
Chelsea · on May 18, 2020 at 10:10 AM
Flag

Hide content
As it stands right now I don’t think there’s anything you can do. However, if you’re ok waiting to decide, I would wait until you get closer to the wedding and see what the state restrictions are.

If your contract is for a 150 person wedding and the state limits gathering to under 50 then the venue legally can’t perform their part of the contract (as in have an event for more than 50 people) and would theoretically be forced to let you move your date to a time when then can perform (have the wedding with 150 people).
Good luck!
- Reply