Post # 1
Member
3501 posts
Sugar bee
I contracted with my ceremony venue in 2011 for 45 minutes of chapel time. The package I chose has been changed to 30 minutes for 2012. We planned everything afterwards based off those 45 minutes and even had day of itineraries made.
Now they are saying we only get 30 minutes. That 15 minutes skews everything off believe it or not with our post plans and photography. I sent a “WTF” email this morning and am waiting for a response. I’m looking at the contract and it says this in its own paragraph:
“Ceremony begins promptly at reserved times. Venue reserves the right to change the ceremony time or cancel the ceremony if the wedding party is more than ten minutes late from started arrival time (not the contracted wedding start time). Fees to then change the time of ceremony, date of ceremony, or package will apply.”
I saw it as a start time based on tardniess not duration because they change their mind. This is the only mention of time in the entire contract.
How do you interpret this? Am I screwed out of 15 minutes or should I fight?
Post # 3
Member
9168 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
I don’t think that language addresses what happens if the venue changes their packages and at the very least it is too unclear. You should fight it because they should honor the package that you put a deposit down for. Just threaten legal counsel and I’m sure they’ll give you your 15 minutes!
Post # 4
Member
3292 posts
Sugar bee
The problem is that the terms of your contract have changed. Under your original contract, for 2011, you’re right, you should be guaranteed 45 minutes unless the wedding party is late.
Now the contract is for 2012, so it’s understandable that they might have different policies in place for a different year. They needed to tell you this, though. It’s hard to answer without knowing all the details. Did you change the wedding date? How did you handle the changing of the contract at that time? Was it understood that only the date would change and everything else in the contract would remain the same? If so, then you’ve definitely got a leg to stand on.
Post # 5
Member
3501 posts
Sugar bee
@MrsWBS: i thought it was vague too.
@stillme: I havn’t changed a thing. It states in the contract that changing dates/packages will incur a fee. There is actually a breakdown on my contract of what my package includes “2 free nights, $200 floral credit, etc” plus it does say “45 minutes of chapel time”
Post # 6
Member
7111 posts
Busy Beekeeper
Do you have anywhere in writing (the contract or even emails) that you have the space for 45 minutes? You should definately get what was presented to you at the time you signed the contract, but you may need it in writing somewhere for it to hold up.
Post # 7
Member
1174 posts
Bumble bee
My opinion is that they should honor the package that you actually signed up for. The entire point of the agreement & the package listing the information is that you are agreeing to that particular package. They have every right to change the package whenever they want, but you signed up for a particular package. I would definitely fight it.
Post # 8
Member
7111 posts
Busy Beekeeper
@MASPA: Just saw your new post. If it says 45 minutes in your contract that is what they are legally bound to supply. Tell them that you expect them to honor their contract. Don’t take any of their BS!
Post # 9
Member
4913 posts
Honey bee
Does it say anywhere that they reserve the right to make any changes or something like that?
It sounds to me like you contracted for 45 minutes and they cannot take that away from you just because they changed their package after the fact. Tell them when you signed the contract and picked them, you relied on the fact that they gave you 45 minutes and planned your ENTIRE wedding around that and cannot change it on such short notice. I agree about threatening to “speak to your lawyer” about it if they don’t budge.
This is not legal advice.
Post # 10
Member
3292 posts
Sugar bee
@MASPA: Then it’s a non-issue. How can they change your ceremony time when it’s written in the contract right there? I would just show them the contract and remind them that they have to give you 45 minutes. Period. They can’t agrue with the contract…??
Post # 11
Member
3501 posts
Sugar bee
@futuremrsk18: the only other “make changes” part is this paragraph.
“Any changes or derivations from this contract must be approved in writring by Coordinator’s Name, and must be submitted in writing. All changes may result in rate increases. Venue reserves the right to relocate any function to a comparable space if necessary. Venue is not responsible for outside noises in or around our ceremony locations. Prices are subject to change.”
I tookk this in relation to any additions we may add thru them for a fee- floral, music, photography. Additionally, the coordinator who’s name is on my contract has since left the department and I have been assigned a new coordinator.
Post # 12
Member
1410 posts
Bumble bee
@MASPA: If your contract states that you get 45 minutes, they are legally obligated to honor that time frame. As long as you havent changed your time (which it sounds like you haven’t) I would point out to them that this is the agreement they signed. If you have a friend that’s a lawyer, have them make a phone call if the venue is continuing to give you a hard time. Often, that’s all that is needed to have them back down.
Good luck!
Post # 13
Member
4913 posts
Honey bee
@MASPA: Sounds like they can’t unilaterally make changes. Stick to your guns, missy! Again, not legal advice 🙂
Post # 14
Member
3501 posts
Sugar bee
@futuremrsk18: totally not taking it legally, no worries.
Post # 15
Member
3501 posts
Sugar bee
I did send a nice email this morning saying we were contracted for 45 minutes. With the time difference not sure when I will get a reply. But I can easily turn off the nice 😉
Post # 16
Member
6610 posts
Bee Keeper
@MASPA: From the perspective of a former bride, I think everything you’re saying makes sense. It doesn’t matter what the 2012 contract is if you signed in 2011. We signed a majority of our contracts in 2009 for our 2011 wedding and despite the fact that our reception venue made MAJOR changes to their terms by 2011, our 2009 contract was honored, as your 2011 one should be.
Keep with the nice as long as possible, but don’t be afraid to be stern if needed! 🙂