Weddingbee boards

Can I get a woohoo from the hive?!? 

I just found out that that I AM able to transfer my non-refundable, non-transferable reception deposit! Persistence pays off!

So, last January, fi and I booked the first reception venue that we went to (yes we are impulsive like that).  We liked the food, we liked the service, we liked that it was close to our ceremony site and we liked that it was on the beach but still inside a quaint restaurant.  We ate at the restaurant and hung out around the area during the daytime.  Not being from this part of Los Angeles, we didn't realize it wasn't in a safe neighborhood at night! When we went back to visit at night time the crowd around the venue was a lot more rowdy than we would like for a wedding reception.  It was really tough to acknowledge but I really needed to consider the safety of my family and guests so it was a no-brainer. We couldn't have a night time reception there.

Since the contract said non-refundable, non-transferable we figured that our deposit was forever lost to us.  I cried many a tear since it was a good chunk of money (at least for me!)  It would have paid for the photographer or a videographer or a pretty nice wedding dress!  I called my coordinator once a month for the past four months without telling her who I was since all she said was that it was non-refundable and non-transferable. She said the manager would just repeat what she said and did I look at the contract I signed? I didn't want to give up my deposit just yet and tell her to cancel! 

I called around 6pm today and I thought I was going to leave a message again for my coordinator there when lo and behold I was transferred to a MANAGER!  I didn't tell him that I didn't care for the venue at night, I just said "our circumstances have changed and we can't afford a night time wedding reception anymore.  But do you have smaller room for a luncheon party that day?"  and he said YES!!!  He said that I needed to make sure that I use up all the deposit. 

So I'm having HUGE bridal shower luncheon! I think I have to at least have 60 people to meet the deposit but who cares!  At least the money gets used!  And Prime rib and lobster for everyone (hehe I have no idea how we're gonna use it all up without getting the most expensive dish!) 

I think in a better economy I would have definitely lost the deposit but I got lucky getting hold of a manager who was willing to listen to me.

The moral of the story? Don't give up!  

Does anyone else have a similar story to tell? Share with us! I hope yours is as happy as mine! 

Woohoo!  Good for you!