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Asking for compensation over a wedding day fiasco at
mk85 - 11/1/16 at 07:40 PM

Me and my now wife got married on Saturday. We chose a local venue and from start to finish we had nothing but problems.

As part of our price we should of had 30 rooms reserved for our guests they only managed to supply us with 20. This left my best man and wife and child UN able to stay the night and have to leave urly to get his wife and child home.

When the bridesmaids turned up the night before the wedding son one had cancelled her room so she had to go home again and return the next day. This was cancelled with out any notice.

Me my brother's and parents shared a room on the day to keep our clothes and belongings In a room we payed for. My mother returned to the room to change into her second outfit to find the room empty. She rushed Down to tell me as I had my valuable wedding gifts of my wife in there. We went to reception and was told that the ess a mix up and the room cleared and our stuff was in a store room.
When we went to the room or stuff had been dumped on the floor. Folded clothes now in a pile my mother's dress crumpled up. Her Jewry was put into a bag containing soap which caused a mess. My dinner suit all crumpled up.

My wife had her belongings and make post in her room swap so when she went to get touched up for some plAned photo's we had to cancel as we lost over an hour running around.
By this time I had broken Into a sweet with stress so decide to quickly shower.

[Edited on 11/1/16 by mk85]

[Edited on 11/1/16 by mk85]


mk85 - 11/1/16 at 07:50 PM

Once I got out the shower I found my hair jell after shave and body spray gone so I returned to the guests rather scruffy.

As the night went on we returned to our room and flu d we was still missing bags. So I had no phone charger for an alarm. I went to reception and asked for a wake up call before they bring us or breakfast in bed.

Wake up at 9 am to no wake up call or breakfast. As I go down to reception am told all of our supplied decorations we purchesed have been put away but they lights and speakers have been left and I have to have them removed by 10am for the next wedding therefore missing breakfast.

We finally have our room bagged up and the remainder of our missing bags found and brought to reception. I start to loAd my van up and find that most of our glass where as been smashed in the rush to empty the hall.

Well wishing notes that had been wrote to us on the day where in a bad with broken glass. We supplied all of the glass where wrapped in bubble wrap as we intended to sell it on to recoup some costs


jacko - 11/1/16 at 07:51 PM

Sorry to read your troubles i would see what they are going to do about it.
If nothing get a solicitor on the job
good luck
and congratulations to the both of you
jacko


mk85 - 11/1/16 at 07:56 PM

My wife purchased special storage boxes for the flowers to be kept Nd sent of to be preserved. Giving the staff instructions of this. We found them destroyed In a plastic box flattened by a heavy box making them impossible to salvage.

They offered us a free nights stay as compensation after spending £20,000 with them.


mk85 - 11/1/16 at 07:58 PM

How would you even value a claim like this.


sdh2903 - 11/1/16 at 07:59 PM

Sounds awful. Really sympathise.

I wouldnt bother messing around, they aren't taking you seriously by offering that as compensation. Go see a solicitor.


mac1ZR - 11/1/16 at 08:29 PM

Think I would want a 50per cent refund for all that inconvenience, they didn't fulfil their contract with you satisfactorily.


SALAD - 11/1/16 at 08:55 PM

Don't accept the free stay, that is taking the wee, contact the General Manager directly. You can refer to the contract you no doubt agreed upon, everything you paid for would be in there and can be compared to what was received. Add to that the hassle and upset and you should have a better idea of what sort of compensation or what value is reasonable. Be assertive but don't loose your rag and you are more likely to get the compensation you deserve.


Ben_Copeland - 11/1/16 at 10:22 PM

I would of gone mental and killed someone I think.

I feel a full refund should be paid because they basically ruined your wedding. What sort of retards do they employ there? Anyone with half a brain would of realised the room was occupied and left all the items inside and smashing glasses because they couldn't be bothered to put them in the right box is just not on. I would of been shouting as the next wedding guests came in just so they knew what to expect.

[Edited on 11/1/16 by Ben_Copeland]


mk85 - 11/1/16 at 10:30 PM


mk85 - 11/1/16 at 10:31 PM


mk85 - 11/1/16 at 10:34 PM

The four bridesmaids roses that where to be taken away and preserved and put into the supplied box but ended up under a heavy glass just they fell apart when taken out


mk85 - 11/1/16 at 10:38 PM

A glass jar with some of the messages written on Jenga blocks (I've no idea ask the wife) but people enjoyed playing it. The glass bowl was given to them in a box with a polystyrene protective cover. Instead ended up in a carrier bag with a heavy large glass candle


cliftyhanger - 11/1/16 at 10:44 PM

I do feel for you.

You need to get proper advice, as previously stated. A trip to a solicitor and be clear what your expectations are in terms of compensation. I have no idea if you can claim for the grief you have endured or just material damage, and that is why it needs specialist advice.

Don't let the hassle eat you up, you can't change what has happened so reflect on the good parts of the day, and let somebody else do the claiming part. Life is too short!


theduck - 11/1/16 at 10:47 PM

Small claims court. Full value of the booking.


Chris_Xtreme - 11/1/16 at 11:26 PM

really feel for you - that is beyond terrible.

hope there were some good parts to reflect on and that you are happily married ! congrats.


slingshot2000 - 12/1/16 at 12:18 AM

quote:
Originally posted by theduck
Small claims court. Full value of the booking.


^^^^ What he said, I remember a wedding venue having to re-stage the full wedding because of something like this.
Costs of guest returning, travel, accommodation etc etc etc would be a fortune. They will have Public Liability for this sort of thing.

Also, contact all your guest and ask for any / all photographs that could be handy as evidence.

Good luck and congratulations.


UncleFista - 12/1/16 at 02:04 AM

quote:
Originally posted by theduck
Small claims court. Full value of the booking.


It's a maximum of £5k for small claims, for £20k I'd pay for a half hour of a solicitors time.


Theshed - 12/1/16 at 08:25 AM

The maximum "small claim" is now £10,000.

Claims for spoilt weddings are one of the exceptions to the general rule that damages are not recoverable for distress or disappointment. You should expect a modest award only (low thousands). You could certainly claim the cost of any damaged items. You might struggle to obtain all of your money back as you would have to show "a total failure of consideration" - i.e. you got nothing for your money. Tricky as no doubt you ate and drank.

Your claim is likely to be below the small claim limit (incidentally there are special model directions for spoilt weddings). Your legal costs would not usually be recoverable. I would suggest that you get some assistance as the process is a little intimidating. You will need well written witness statements. Preserve all of the evidence including photos.

An alternative to a Solicitor would be a direct access barrister - usually cheaper

Final point.....£20K for a wedding...are you mad?




steve m - 12/1/16 at 09:29 AM

I would of killed someone as well !

Apart from the financial side, I would also get the local papers involved, as there are probably other disgruntled customers,
also, why should this place still be in business with service like this

Also the Police as the hotel are not allowed to remove your stuff from your rooms "and dump them in a pile"
unless they had given you prior warning they would do so

I do hope you have numerous photos of the damage, and receipts for all that was requested, versus what you actually had

steve


mk85 - 12/1/16 at 12:36 PM

They told us that member of our family ortherized for our belonging to be moved. I've asked for the member of staff who spoke to my mother In law to come forward they say they can't confirm who it was

quote]Originally posted by steve m
I would of killed someone as well !

Apart from the financial side, I would also get the local papers involved, as there are probably other disgruntled customers,
also, why should this place still be in business with service like this

Also the Police as the hotel are not allowed to remove your stuff from your rooms "and dump them in a pile"
unless they had given you prior warning they would do so

I do hope you have numerous photos of the damage, and receipts for all that was requested, versus what you actually had

steve



mk85 - 12/1/16 at 12:39 PM

£20k is a lot of money BUT I see people buying new cars and losing that in two to three years and I think that's crazy Our £20k Fed and supplied entertainment for over 120 people
And gave lots of our family great memories as the whole family travelled from all over the world to meet up.

If you have the cash you can't spend it when your dead


quote:
Originally posted by Theshed
The maximum "small claim" is now £10,000.

Claims for spoilt weddings are one of the exceptions to the general rule that damages are not recoverable for distress or disappointment. You should expect a modest award only (low thousands). You could certainly claim the cost of any damaged items. You might struggle to obtain all of your money back as you would have to show "a total failure of consideration" - i.e. you got nothing for your money. Tricky as no doubt you ate and drank.

Your claim is likely to be below the small claim limit (incidentally there are special model directions for spoilt weddings). Your legal costs would not usually be recoverable. I would suggest that you get some assistance as the process is a little intimidating. You will need well written witness statements. Preserve all of the evidence including photos.

An alternative to a Solicitor would be a direct access barrister - usually cheaper

Final point.....£20K for a wedding...are you mad?





mcerd1 - 12/1/16 at 12:57 PM

quote:

Final point.....£20K for a wedding...are you mad?



quote:
Originally posted by mk85
£20k is a lot of money BUT I see people buying new cars and losing that in two to three years and I think that's crazy Our £20k Fed and supplied entertainment for over 120 people
And gave lots of our family great memories as the whole family travelled from all over the world to meet up.

If you have the cash you can't spend it when your dead


Unfortunately £20k sounds not too bad for 120 people these days (especially if that was 120 at a sit down meal with drinks and entertainment)
anytime you add the word 'wedding' the price seems to double


last year our venue cost us £6k for a couple of drinks, some canapés, hot buffet meal for 60 people and bacon/sausage rolls later on and that was with most of the decoration supplied by us, a lot of the setup by us, stationery by us.... and a big discount for being in November!
(we had to work hard to keep that cost down!)
that's a local venue with no hotel rooms to book and doesn't count the band, flowers, photographer, cars and all the other bits and bobs.......... (all of which cost more than that again....)


apparently the average spend in the UK is now over £26k


good luck getting something back, it does sound like its tainted your day a bit


[Edited on 12/1/2016 by mcerd1]


Ivan - 12/1/16 at 04:41 PM

That's what happens when you book an event at Fawlty Towers!

Sorry - couldn't resist - my sympathy to you and the wife - it must have been terrible but it sounds like you still managed to keep your quests happy.


rgrs - 12/1/16 at 07:52 PM

Don't suppose by any chance you took out wedding day insurance ?

If you did time to call them.

Roger


Theshed - 12/1/16 at 07:59 PM

Just teasing! And mortally afraid as I have a 19 year old daughter.

If you want any legal pointers feel free to ask specifics.


mk85 - 12/1/16 at 10:24 PM

Just found out they have now lost our wedding cake figures and kitcar we had made for the cake.

They have been In touch saying they will be speaking with staff and letting us know the outcome.

In all fairness the food was absolutely amazing. The venue is fantastic. When I spoke with the manager today I told him that We was please with the food and quality of the rooms ect but I explained to him that the way the organise the events an staff is shocking.