help!!

pandc2012

my fiance and i chose a catering hal because it was in our budget. we picked the date and signed the contract. we were never 100% about the location but it was all we coulld afford.  We recently came acros another catering hall that we absoluty loved!! The owners of this new catering hall told us to break our contract and go over to them, which we would LOVE to do. Problem is the catering hall we signed the contract with wont let us leave unless we pay half of the balance (which is crazy because there is more than enoug time to book another event) ... is there anyway we can get out of this contract so that we can have a place we both love or are we stuck with this one  can someone help me!??!!

ElisabethJoanne

Why did you sign a contract while there was still plenty of time to look around?

You don't mention whether the first hall already has any of your money. Usually they'd have required a deposit to protect them against this very eventuality. If they have a deposit, you could cancel, never getting your deposit back. Even if they have a contract saying you owe them for canceling beyond the deposit, it's unlikely they'll try to collect that from you. They could, though, taking you to court, etc.

If they don't have any money yet, it's still the same story, they're just more likely to want money.

Bottom line, unliess you can sweet-talk them into letting you break the contract, you run the risk that they'll try to collect on it. They probably have a few years to make the decision, too.

DramaGeek

There's no harm in asking them, but they don't have to acquiesce.  If they say no, we're holding you to the contract, then you have a decision to make.

deanozzi

I agree... just ask them AGAIN! If they say no then that really sucks.. You are legally binded to your contract.I am so sorry!

jessicabessica

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_help-25?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:c0322149-20ff-430d-9b9e-3740370caceePost:4278eda6-c3ee-4cc0-b957-7c0812e47f9c">help!!</a>:
[QUOTE]my fiance and i chose a catering hal because it was in our budget. we picked the date and signed the contract. we were never 100% about the location but it was all we coulld afford.  We recently came acros another catering hall that we absoluty loved!! <strong>The owners of this new catering hall told us to break our contract and go over to them</strong>, which we would LOVE to do. Problem is the catering hall we signed the contract with wont let us leave unless we pay half of the balance (which is crazy because there is more than enoug time to book another event) ... is there anyway we can get out of this contract so that we can have a place we both love or are we stuck with this one :(  can someone help me!??!!
Posted by pandc2012[/QUOTE]

<div>Of course they said that (to the bolded part).  How desperate are they for your business?  If the first catering hall is holding you to the contract, tell the new catering hall how much you'll be out if you break your first contract, and see if they'll reduce their price.  </div><div>
</div><div>I wouldn't try to fight the contract without hiring a lawyer.  At that point, you have to ask if hiring a lawyer is cheaper than losing half the balance.  </div>

MyNameIsNot

You are bound by the terms of your contract.

If the new place wants your business that bad, see if they'll buy you out of the first contract.  

Otherwise, consider this a lesson in thinking things through before you commit yourself financially.

Maggie0829

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_help-25?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:c0322149-20ff-430d-9b9e-3740370caceePost:7cbeab2a-023d-404e-b3ac-4f780b4d6397">Re: help!!</a>:
[QUOTE]You are bound by the terms of your contract. If the new place wants your business that bad, see if they'll buy you out of the first contract.   Otherwise, consider this a lesson in thinking things through before you commit yourself financially.
Posted by MyNameIsNot[/QUOTE]

This.  Did you even read the contract with the first catering hall?  I am about 99.99999% sure that the terms for canceling an event are listed, including what you would have to pay.

calliopeia2013

The contract YOU agreed to said that if you broke it, you have to pay half the balance.  If you thought that was crazy, why did you sign it?  The contract is a legal obligation.  You are obligated to pay half the balance, because you promised you would.  If you don't pay it, you will be in debt to them and they will try to collect- and it's not exactly difficult for them to sell your debt to a collection agency and completely destroy your credit rating, either.  Your options are to either go with the original venue, or pay the fee you promised to pay if you broke your original contract.

alithebride

you signed a contract and agreed to it. if you want to break it go ahead and suck u p the penalty.
even if you haven't given the 1st place any money and you break the contact they can sue you for what you agreed to.

Avion22

Some contracts will only charge you for cancelling if they are unable to re-book your date.    If you can find someone else who might want your first venue on your date (maybe someone on your local board?), then you MIGHT not have to pay the cancellation fee.  

But seriously, check the contract you signed.  Everything you need to know will be in there, in black and white.