My wedding is less than 60 days away on Oct. 28. My venue e-mailed me today and wants me to change the time or date of my wedding because they have another meeting being held there right as my wedding is starting. I've had a contract with them since February, and have been discussing the wedding stuff with them for over a year now.
I've had the opportunity to talk to some of my vendors, and they're ok with it (at least the ones we've talked with). The invitations have already been printed, so if we have to change the time or the date, this is something that the venue will have to pay for to be changed (I'm not going to get a Sharpie and DIY them, haha).
What do you think about this situation and what would you do?
Help and advice is appreciated. I've never even heard of this!!!
I would say it's up to you and what you want to do, plus the availability of all your guests and bridal party. Do you have a lot of OOT guests? Would a date switch be ok with them?
It seems like changing the time wouldn't be so much of an issue as date. BUT perhaps if the time/date change works for everyone, you could negotiating some freebies or discounts with the hotel in exchange for your flexibility. (throw in chair covers, waive cake cutting fee, plus they would have to pay for your invites, etc).
Hmmmm. I don't know if they can do that leagally. They may just have to cut that 'meeting' short. You might want to have a free consultation with a law office (or lawyer friend) to review your contract. Maybe pay a small fee for a legal letter explaining your rights to the venue corrdinator...
I would NOT change my date or time, not this late in the game. Maybe a month after booking when nothing was really set in stone. 60 days away NO WAY, that's awfully rude.
Are they asking you to push your time back fifteen minutes or five hours? Fifteen minutes OK / Thirty minutes or more NO WAY - If they are willing to give you a TON of money back (like cut your food cost and bar tab in half) maybe I'd consider it
Why can't I ever finish my thoughts in one comment? If you don't end up changing the time, make sure you double confirm the original time with what ever vendors you've discussed this possible change with...
(Imagine getting your day back on track, and one of your vendors NOT showing up because "Don't you remember, you called me and changed the time back in September" - YIKES)
As the first person who booked the date/time, I'd say your venue should have to work around YOU, and I'm shocked that they even asked you to adjust your date/time because of their mistake. That sounds unprofessional, and I'd make sure you get this cleared up ASAP with legal back-up.
I agree that if it's a minor change, like bumping things up/back 30 minutes, MAYBE I'd agree to it (but with them covering the cost of invitation reprints, as well as providing a VERY generous discount considering the extra work this will create for you)..... but there is NO WAY I would significantly change my event. After all, I'm sure the date/time availability of this venue is part of why you chose it for your wedding, and they need to realize that any changes will mean breach of contract and you can absolutely sue them. (I'm not saying to take it that far.... but they need to realize that you are under no obligation to make any changes and you *could* sue if it got to that point.)
I know it's hard, but you should absolutely put your foot down with a firm "no" and also make sure that if this other meeting does continue at the same time as your wedding, the venue can reassure you that it will not affect your wedding at all (in terms of staff, noise, availablility of restrooms for guests, etc.). I am sure it is a lot easier for a company to change the date/location of their meeting than it is for you to change the date and time of your wedding. It sounds like a case of your vendor trying to get you to fix their mistake, when really they need to take responsibility for double-booking by honoring your original contract 100% and helping the company find another date/time for their meeting.
I agree with Miss Blushing. Not to be a bridezilla or anything, but if you've been dealing with them all this time and have a contract with them, it is not your problem that they overbooked/have bad time management skills. That said, if you're willing to do the change, I would discuss this with your event person and get them to give you a discount or refund for change in time. As you've said, you've had invitations printed and will have to change times with your vendors so honestly, it's the least they can do for the inconvenience.
If you go through with it, you'd better recieve a HUGE discount! That is very unprofessional. They shouldn't have double booked. And nobody should be rushed on their wedding day, which is what could happen.
Actually I think if it's not a big problem to you or your vendors, and the venue will pay for new invitations, I would go with the time change but don't let them know that it's not a big inconvenience to you. Play up the stress factor and get them to waive a bunch of charges (I don't consider them paying for new invitations to be any sort of compensation whatsoever. That's just fixing their mistake and if they wouldn't do that I would't change the time, period. That's not compensating you for helping them out of their problem.)
I would NOT, however, change the date of the wedding. Only the time.
absolutely not! you have a contract!!! i say you have to remain firm that your time and date is clearly specified on your contract. seriously like moemarsita said unless they give you a 40% discount, i would not change a thing.
If you have a contract that indicates the start time, they can't force you to change the contract, unless there is a provision for such a change. If there is a provision indicating that they are permitted to alter the time for x,y,z, reasons, then you should ask for the appropriate proof of x,y,z. Â
<span class="Apple-style-span">If there is no provision permitting them to change the start time of your event, then it's up to you. If you feel that the service will be better if they have this additional time between events, then I would outline all your expenses to make changes, including a rush fee for the invites, and contact them. Get it <span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline">in writing that they will pay the expenses (which you should attach as a rider to the signed agreement to change the time and have them initial) and be sure to include that no further changes tot he start or end time of the event will be made by <span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline">them. (If there's a provisiont hat you can change it in there, that way you can keep your right to change it, not that you would).
Don't try to be too agreeable. I know that's hard for a lot of people, but a contract is a contract is a contract. They had it drafted by an attorney and I doubt you had an attorney review it before you signed it. So, be selfish, insist on reimbursement or that they honor the K and CYA!
That is a bummer. I am sure many family and friends are set with your date (and I am sure you are too). What if they can no longer come if you change the date?
My wedding is less than 60 days away on Oct. 28. My venue e-mailed me today and wants me to change the time or date of my wedding because they have another meeting being held there right as my wedding is starting. I've had a contract with them since February, and have been discussing the wedding stuff with them for over a year now.
I've had the opportunity to talk to some of my vendors, and they're ok with it (at least the ones we've talked with). The invitations have already been printed, so if we have to change the time or the date, this is something that the venue will have to pay for to be changed (I'm not going to get a Sharpie and DIY them, haha).
What do you think about this situation and what would you do?
Help and advice is appreciated. I've never even heard of this!!!
Beth
posted by Beth 19 posts 1 year agoWow, you are definitely flexible!
I would say it's up to you and what you want to do, plus the availability of all your guests and bridal party. Do you have a lot of OOT guests? Would a date switch be ok with them?
It seems like changing the time wouldn't be so much of an issue as date. BUT perhaps if the time/date change works for everyone, you could negotiating some freebies or discounts with the hotel in exchange for your flexibility. (throw in chair covers, waive cake cutting fee, plus they would have to pay for your invites, etc).
posted by eggplant 73 posts 1 year agoHmmmm. I don't know if they can do that leagally. They may just have to cut that 'meeting' short. You might want to have a free consultation with a law office (or lawyer friend) to review your contract. Maybe pay a small fee for a legal letter explaining your rights to the venue corrdinator...
I would NOT change my date or time, not this late in the game. Maybe a month after booking when nothing was really set in stone. 60 days away NO WAY, that's awfully rude.
Are they asking you to push your time back fifteen minutes or five hours? Fifteen minutes OK / Thirty minutes or more NO WAY - If they are willing to give you a TON of money back (like cut your food cost and bar tab in half) maybe I'd consider it
posted by karianne 25 posts 1 year agoWhy can't I ever finish my thoughts in one comment? If you don't end up changing the time, make sure you double confirm the original time with what ever vendors you've discussed this possible change with...
(Imagine getting your day back on track, and one of your vendors NOT showing up because "Don't you remember, you called me and changed the time back in September" - YIKES)
Good Luck
posted by karianne 25 posts 1 year agoHey there...I have to head to school so don't have time for a big reply...but as far as pushing back the time - its like a 2-3 hour time difference.
posted by Beth 19 posts 1 year agoAs the first person who booked the date/time, I'd say your venue should have to work around YOU, and I'm shocked that they even asked you to adjust your date/time because of their mistake. That sounds unprofessional, and I'd make sure you get this cleared up ASAP with legal back-up.
I agree that if it's a minor change, like bumping things up/back 30 minutes, MAYBE I'd agree to it (but with them covering the cost of invitation reprints, as well as providing a VERY generous discount considering the extra work this will create for you)..... but there is NO WAY I would significantly change my event. After all, I'm sure the date/time availability of this venue is part of why you chose it for your wedding, and they need to realize that any changes will mean breach of contract and you can absolutely sue them. (I'm not saying to take it that far.... but they need to realize that you are under no obligation to make any changes and you *could* sue if it got to that point.)
I know it's hard, but you should absolutely put your foot down with a firm "no" and also make sure that if this other meeting does continue at the same time as your wedding, the venue can reassure you that it will not affect your wedding at all (in terms of staff, noise, availablility of restrooms for guests, etc.). I am sure it is a lot easier for a company to change the date/location of their meeting than it is for you to change the date and time of your wedding. It sounds like a case of your vendor trying to get you to fix their mistake, when really they need to take responsibility for double-booking by honoring your original contract 100% and helping the company find another date/time for their meeting.
posted by MissBlushing 130 posts 1 year agoI agree with Miss Blushing. Not to be a bridezilla or anything, but if you've been dealing with them all this time and have a contract with them, it is not your problem that they overbooked/have bad time management skills.
posted by Jillibean 12 posts 1 year agoThat said, if you're willing to do the change, I would discuss this with your event person and get them to give you a discount or refund for change in time. As you've said, you've had invitations printed and will have to change times with your vendors so honestly, it's the least they can do for the inconvenience.
If you go through with it, you'd better recieve a HUGE discount! That is very unprofessional. They shouldn't have double booked. And nobody should be rushed on their wedding day, which is what could happen.
posted by moemarsita 36 posts 1 year agoActually I think if it's not a big problem to you or your vendors, and the venue will pay for new invitations, I would go with the time change but don't let them know that it's not a big inconvenience to you. Play up the stress factor and get them to waive a bunch of charges (I don't consider them paying for new invitations to be any sort of compensation whatsoever. That's just fixing their mistake and if they wouldn't do that I would't change the time, period. That's not compensating you for helping them out of their problem.)
I would NOT, however, change the date of the wedding. Only the time.
posted by smartl 353 posts 1 year agoabsolutely not! you have a contract!!! i say you have to remain firm that your time and date is clearly specified on your contract. seriously like moemarsita said unless they give you a 40% discount, i would not change a thing.
posted by spider 23 posts 1 year agoIf you don't have a problem with the time, then I say make them pay for your orginal invites, and the cost to reprint them. :)
posted by MissStrawberry 3 posts 1 year agoWell, I've sent them an e-mail letting them know my terms. We'll see how it plays out. I'll let you guys know!
posted by Beth 19 posts 1 year agoIf you have a contract that indicates the start time, they can't force you to change the contract, unless there is a provision for such a change. If there is a provision indicating that they are permitted to alter the time for x,y,z, reasons, then you should ask for the appropriate proof of x,y,z. Â
Sorry, K = contract.
posted by MJ 78 posts 1 year agoThat is a bummer. I am sure many family and friends are set with your date (and I am sure you are too). What if they can no longer come if you change the date?
I would say NO WAY. What a pain to change.
posted by suz 3 posts 1 year ago