Cancelling or postponing your wedding is every couple’s worst nightmare. Unfortunately, cancelling or postponing has become a necessity for many couples due to the impact of COVID-19.
When you postpone your wedding, you are simply moving the entire wedding (or as much of it as you can) to a new date further in the future. Cancelling your wedding means cutting ties with every supplier and your venue. Then, starting the planning process again from scratch. Below, we have outlined the legal rights you will have when dealing with your suppliers if you cancel or postpone your wedding.
The CMA (Competition & Markets Authority) announced on 30th April 2020 that they would be issuing guidance on refunds and cancellations for the wedding sector. That report has now been published and will help couples and businesses understand their rights and reach a solution. Take a look at our summary of the report's findings for the latest information.
Deciding whether to Cancel or to Postpone Your Wedding?
So, should you cancel, or simply postpone? We'd strongly encourage you to postpone rather than cancel unless you really can't find a new date that works for all involved. Remember, there was a reason you fell in love with that venue and carefully chose the suppliers you want to work with. Cancelling incurs costs for the venues and suppliers. As prices have increased, you'll probably end up paying higher prices when you rebook.
If you choose to postpone
Many venue and supplier contracts treat postponements in a similar way to cancellations, with similar penalties. These penalties will usually increase as you get closer to the wedding date. However, all the venues and suppliers we've spoken to have taken a very lenient approach, allowing couples to postpone during COVID.
Your venue may already have bookings for popular dates so be prepared to be flexible in finding an alternative date. They are quite within their rights to charge a supplement if you choose a more expensive "peak" date. Some are waiving their usual annual price increases if you have to postpone it to next year but be aware that there is high demand. The important point to remember is that you probably don't have the "right" to postpone without penalties. So, work with your venue and suppliers to find a compromise.
Postponing will have implications on your payment schedule so agree to a new schedule in writing. Missing payments, without the venue's agreement, could constitute a breach of contract.
If you want to postpone but the original suppliers aren't available
Suppliers such as photographers, videographers, musicians and florists may already be booked up for your preferred date. However, they may be able to transfer your deposit to another supplier. These suppliers may appear to be competitors, but the wedding industry is a close-knit community that is pulling together to help each other out. They'll be happy to give you recommendations or to put you in touch.
If you change the date without prior agreement you are potentially in breach of contract.
If you choose to cancel your venue or suppliers
If you choose to cancel, you will be liable for anything from "reasonable costs incurred" up to the full, final balance, depending on the circumstances and timing of the cancellation. If you cancel at short notice, and the venue or supplier has already committed money or started work on your wedding, you should expect to pay for the costs incurred. It is worth checking carefully the cancellation policy in your contracts before you make a decision.
Does it help to have wedding insurance?
Wedding insurance will usually cover a couple if their venue or a key supplier has to cancel. However, when it comes to cancellations relating to Coronavirus, few policies have paid out. It isn't sensible to rely on insurance covering the loss. Some studies have estimated that less than a quarter of 1% of insurance claims will be paid as Coronavirus wasn't a notifiable disease until 5th March 2020. It is a much better approach to work with your venue and suppliers, find a solution that works and minimise possible financial losses for everyone.
What happens if you can't get the refund you are due?
The venues and suppliers that are being the most helpful by allowing couples to postpone and cancel without penalty will be working hard to manage their cash flow. The government has put various grants and loans in place for the hospitality industry, but it takes time to access this finance. In the meantime, not only have they lost their source of income, but they are also refunding payments they weren't expecting to. Try to bear with them while they make arrangements to refund any money due to you.
Be sure to stay up to date with how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting the wedding industry.