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Kasey
Newbie June 2020 Ontario

Venue Troubles....help!

Kasey, on September 7, 2020 at 10:43 Posted in Plan a wedding 0 5
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Hi Brides!


Just wanted to post this here and see if anyone else had something similar happen to them because of Covid.
Me and my fiancé booked a venue back in April of this year. Our wedding was supposed to happen in June 2021. When we signed the agreement, the venue agreed to provide drinks and food as well as the use of the venue. But on August 7th, they emailed us saying they were no longer able to provide food as they had to shut down their catering side of the business. And our options were to either find our own caterers or we can cancel our wedding there and only get 50% of our deposit back. This is where we’re having an issue with all of this. We don’t want to give them anymore money because it seems like they’re in financial troubles and we don’t want to risk losing our money if the owner goes bankrupt. We also don’t think it’s fair that they’re keeping 50% of our deposit (approx $2000) if we decide to cancel because they’re the ones not holding up their end of the agreement by canceling the catering. So I guess what I’m just wondering here is what everybody thinks of this situation? Or what you would do if you were me?
Thanks for reading my long story!!

5 Comments

Latest activity by Vinod, on September 9, 2020 at 14:30
  • Vinod
    Top August 2017 Ontario
    Vinod ·
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    The venue is breaking their end of the contract deal. They can't give half back because of their catering closed and drinks not served. You have the right to sue in court. Emails and other documents can be proof they are responsible to pay back all the money you towards the venue.

    Finding the caterer of your choice will add to your budget per person to feed. A certified bar tender will also be costly along with liquor license to get online for LCBO.

    I hope you do get your dream wedding and the venue to help out given the circumstances if they are providing the services paid.

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  • Hank
    Featured September 2021 Ontario
    Hank ·
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    Does your deposit include the catering or is it just the venue? You mentioned your deposit is 50% so that means your total is $4000 all in? First ask for a revision of contract so that your total is just the rental and none of the catering costs (I don't know how it's broken down but I'm sure you have it when you signed). Tell them you're glad to stay at the venue and you want to give business to them but since they are no longer providing catering, it makes no sense for you to pay for it. If they're demanding the full amount despite them breaking their end of the bargain, you can let them know you'll pursue legal action for breach of contract.

    If the $4000 is just a rental and the catering cost is on top, than you may have a harder time getting compensation. They gave you almost 11 months advance notice to find a caterer (which all things considered is not that bad) and technically you're not out of money since that money was never going toward food anyway. Yes, it sucks that you have to spend time and energy to find a caterer but again, you have almost a year. Look at it positively - maybe you can find better food for a better price compared to the venue's in-house team.

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  • Geneviève
    VIP September 2020 Ontario
    Geneviève ·
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    Definitely speak to a lawyer. Most contracts have a substitution of service clause (which a venue might not) which would force the venue (since you paid them for food service) to find a suitable replacement for catering. Id get to a lawyer because it isn’t ethical to keep your deposit when they’ve breached the contract, and you’ll want to move quick if you think they’re in financial trouble
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  • Caitlyn
    Super January 2020 Ontario
    Caitlyn ·
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    As Michelle mentioned, if your contract states that food is included then they can be found in breach of contract and you could have grounds to sue and get out of your contract and get all of your money back. Of course, court proceedings take time, especially with COVID postponing preexisting court dates. That’s the unfortunate part. There’s the option of cancelling the contract now and then going to court to get back the 50% deposit. As you mentioned that comes with the risk that if they’re in financial troubles they’ll be bankrupt by the time you get a judgement.


    I would definitely talk to your vendor and as Michelle said, tell them that you want them to find another caterer for you or let you out of the contract and give you your money back. Based on what you said I’m assuming they’re not giving you any money back for now not supplying food, which isn’t right if your contract states they will because they’re now charging you the same price for fewer services.
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  • Michelle
    Frequent user June 2023 British Columbia
    Michelle ·
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    I think it all depends on the exact wording of your contract. If your contract clearly states that the food service is included then they are breaking their contract. Personally, I think they should be sourcing catering and include it, like the contract says, or a full refund. If they can no longer hold up their end of the contract then you should be entitled to a full refund. The problem lies in if they have the money to refund or not. I wouldn’t take the 50% loss. I would fight it.

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