What the law says. Wedding venues are potentially breaking the law by refusing to refund couples thousands of pounds for cancellations due to the Covid-19 outbreak, a consumer rights group has claimed. the supplier does not have to refund. In this case, there were three key facts that made it reasonable to order a refund: What about guests coming from abroad to a wedding in the UK? Which? Paying a deposit in a shop. The CMA has helpfully also issued a statement on its views on consumer protection law in relation to cancellations and refunds during the current crisis. said couples had effectively been “jilted at the altar” by venues which had cancelled their big day and then pocketed their cash. A ‘true’ deposit. Which? Since your contracts probably state that the deposit is non-refundable, there is a chance that they won't refund it to you, but all you can do is ask. MinLaw cited an example to illustrate how the new law would work: After placing a deposit with a hotel for a wedding to be held at its premises on March 21, … Return … High deposits and cancellation fees could mean serious sanctions for wedding businesses (particularly venues). – Sums payable (like a stage payment or the balance in full) cease to be payable. Since it’s difficult for vendors to schedule services for dates that are just a few weeks out, as opposed to months in advance, they often charge higher cancellation fees (aside from the deposit) the closer it is to the event. The refund requirement covers ''non-refundable'' deposits, although a venue or supplier has a right to subtract ''limited'' costs for services it has already provided, such as a wedding meal tasting. Check the government guidance on wedding and event contracts on GOV.UK. They signed a contract and paid a non-refundable deposit. The law means your credit card must protect purchases costing over £100 for free, so if there's a problem you could get your money back. An example of this could be where the venue has already baked your wedding cake. Alternatively, if the client is the one to cancel, you may still argue that no refund is required because you were prepared to perform, and in the event you and the client cannot agree, it will be up to a court to decide whether you are entitled to keep the full deposit, something less, or … My wedding was scheduled during the first or second national lockdown. For example, a payment due 2 weeks before the wedding will now be due 2 weeks before the date you’ve postponed to. If you return goods due to a major problem, you have the right to cancel any service contracts they were provided with. The venue are saying that them holding a wedding for 30 people is not feasible. It means “an unexpected intervening event that makes it impossible for BOTH parties to fulfil the contract. To be completely honest and straight up. The refund requirement covers ''non-refundable'' deposits, although a venue or supplier has a right to subtract ''limited'' costs for services it has already provided, such as a wedding meal tasting. In the USA a deposit is refundable but the UK law looks at this differently and has been a much heated debate with wedding suppliers when clients have cancelled. A ‘true’ deposit Overall, 17 couples reported that their venue charged a fee to rebook or cancel their wedding, and 15 said the venue introduced new terms and conditions. When you agree to pay a deposit, it becomes part of a legal contract. has said it believes the complaints it had also received might be “just the tip of the iceberg,” and that there may be a “serious, industry-wide issue with wedding venues ducking their legal responsibilities on refunds and cancellations”. 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