Venue Change

That does sound like a tricky situation!

My first thoughts are - what are the cancellation terms of your current venue? I think you need to weigh up how much money you'd lose on the original venue plus how much money you'll be paying on your new venue.

Once you have that figure, how does it feel to you? If it's a number that you'd be happy to pay to make sure that you can have the wedding you wish for then I would say that's your answer!

I'm currently having similar thoughts about the venue we had booked on the basis of 100 guests, which we're now looking at 30 guests to be more confident of the day going ahead as we'd like it to (we're not until Oct 2021). We've paid a deposit of £1k which we would lose, but it may still be worth it for us if the price of a much smaller venue is less than what we'd pay for our current venue.

Hi Holly, the cancellation terms for the current venue for 6 months before is 50% which is the amount current amount paid plus also have to pay 50% of the reserved accommodation so that adds on about £1,300 on top.

To be honest, the smaller venue includes (for up to 40 guests) 5 course meal, fresh flowers and accommodation for half the price of what the bigger venue was for wanting 53 guests with no accommodation or flowers etc. I still have to pay for decor etc at the bigger venue. I've had to postpone once before and rather not have to do that again.

I'd hate to lose the money paid as it was paid by my dad but I understand what you mean, I think we would still save money even if we didn't get any money back.

I was considering postponing the bigger venue to April 2022 then either keep that for vow renewal or cancel in a couple of months when the charges aren't as much, is that bad?

Have you found a smaller venue that you would prefer for a smaller wedding? It's such a strange time, I heard on the radio today that a cinema spokes person has said they don't reckon cinemas will be back to pre-covid numbers until 2024!

Ouch, they seem to be quite tight cancellation terms for over six months before. It's good that you would still techinically be saving money with your smaller venue although I totally understand about not wanting to see your Dad's money go on a venue that won't be used.

Is there any way you can go back to your original venue and push back about the cancellation charges on the basis that the refurbishments and decoration promised hasn't been done, and therefore you have been 'missold' your contract? The only thing with that is I would say you'd need the fact that they'd promised refurbishment in some kind of written form whether that was email or in the contract.

I guess in this type of situation there really isn't any right or wrong choice. It's more about how your gut feels and how you want to remember your day!

We haven't looked at an alternative venue yet - mainly because our current venue is where we would love to get married, and would work well for a big evening do to invite more guests if we're allowed with restrictions when the time comes. So has the nice flexibility! Does feel quite painful paying top whack for a big venue we may not necessarily need but it's a wonderful venue so that eases the pain a bit!