Can a Banquet Hall Require a Couple to Reschedule the Date If a Wedding Is Cancelled Because of Covid19?

Only In Rare Circumstances Can a Supplier or Vendor Keep a Deposit or Require Rescheduling If a Wedding Is Unable to Go Forward As Planned Because of Covid19. In Most Cases, Irregardless of What Might Be Said Within a Contract, Deposits Must Be Refunded By the Banquet Hall, Caterers, Disk Jockeys, Among Others.

Similar Questions About Cancelled Weddings Include:

  • Do I Have to Pay the Caterer If My Wedding Gets Cancelled?
  • If My Wedding Gets Cancelled Do I Get Any Deposit Money Back?
  • Does a Banquet Hall Have to Refund a Deposit If a Wedding Gets Cancelled?
  • What Happens If My Wedding Gets Cancelled Because of Covid?
  • If a Wedding Is Cancelled, Should the DJ Refund the Deposit Money?


Your Legal Rights Regarding Contracts and Deposits When Your Wedding Is Cancelled Due to Covid-19 Restrictions

Disappointingly, you planned your special day right down to the very last detail; except of course for Covid19 which has become an unplanned wedding crasher.  Among weddings, jack and jill parties, stags and stagettes, wedding showers, among other events involving gatherings with more than ten (10) people must now be cancelled or delayed.

The Wedding Lawyer Discusses Wedding Cancellation Legal Rights on CBC's The National:
Venue Attempting to Reschedule Events

Many banquet halls, among other suppliers, are attempting to impose a rescheduling of wedding dates upon unwary brides and grooms.  For those willing, and able, to reschedule including those able to reschedule all other suppliers, vendors, and guest availability, venue rescheduling may be without a concern; however, for most couples who are already disappointed with lost plans, the thought of the reception venue, or any another supplier, mandating your back up plan is very unsatisfying.

What May Be Done?
Remember, Your Wedding Is Your Wedding and
It Should Be Your Choice For When to Reschedule Your Special Day.

While unfortunate to your wedding plans, there is some saving grace for engaged couples whereas it is your right to decide to accept a rescheduling or whether to cancel whereas your money paid in advance as a deposit is, in almost all circumstances, refundable.  Even where a contract with a venue, or other supplier, expressly states that should an incident occur, such as Covid19, cause the inability for the event to go forward, your deposit is usually refundable.  This right to a return of your deposit, and your right to decide whether to reschedule by treating the existing contract as frustrated and arranging a fresh contract, arises statutorily by law.

Religious
Ceremony

Without the need of a wedding ceremony, and without the ability for your guests to attend whereas weddings with more than ten (10) guests are forbidden, the contract with your house of worship is quite likely frustrated and therefore unenforceable.  With this said, it is notable that although a refund of your deposit is likely legally required, a reasonable monetary donation towards assisting and supporting worthy causes may remain a kind gesture.

Reception
Venue & Halls

Without a wedding reception, a banquet hall or other venue is unnecessary; and whereas a wedding contract contained plans for more than ten (10) guests, and therefore the event is currently forbidden by law, the contract is most likely frustrated.  Furthermore, even if the contract contains a force majeure clause specifically addressing pandemic, if the event is delayed by thirty (30) days or more, it is still within your statutory rights to cancel.

Catering
Services

The food and drink supplier was booked to provide services to more than ten (10) guests and is now forbidden by law from performing services.  Accordingly, the supplier is unable to sue you for breach for failing to fulfill the contract as previously agreed; and equally, you are unable to sue the supplier.  When a contract becomes legally frustrated, you are both exempt from further obligations.

Photography
Services

Without a married couple to take a picture of, what is the point of a photographer or videographer?  The contract set the date and all was well until Covid and the government flipped your visions, and the need for pictures, upside down;  As with other vendor agreements made before the pandemic and government ordered shutdowns, obigations within agreements become frustrated and unenforceable in most circumstances.  Deposits must also be refunded in most circumstances.

Entertainment
Services

What is a wedding reception party without awesome entertainment?  Perhaps the better question these days is, what is an awesome entertainment without a wedding reception?  Sadly, with wedding receptions for celebrations with gatherings of more than ten (10) people forbidden, entertainment becomes unnecessary; and, similarly to other vendor and supplier contracts, where the law unexpectedly makes a contract impossible to fulfill, the contract becomes frustrated.

Tuxedo
Rentals

The attire for the guys in the wedding party is unnecessary for a cancelled wedding.  Usually, if a wedding were cancelled due to a personal reason, there may be legal issues; however, where the cancellation of a wedding occurs due to a pandemic and government orders without the fault or choice of anyone, most contracts legally come to an end.  Additionally, where the supplier is unable to deliver services within thirty (30) days of the scheduled date, consumers have a statutory right to cancel.

Limousine
Services

Without a wedding for a wedding party to attend, transportation of the wedding party is moot; and accordingly, issues involving contracts with vehicle providers are affected.

Florist
Services

The beauty of flowers become wilted by the cancellation of a wedding; and thus, negotiating alternatve arrangements may be required for the flower arrangements.

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