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Connecticut

WTF?!

So I got an email last night from the hotel for my reception – they said please call ASAP (I thought, this is not a good sign)

 They call me this morning and say they double booked my reception room. Said that the other group has been there for 5 years w/ a five year contract and they can give me the other (smaller) room. I said I’ve had my contract for at least a year, and there was no question there about getting that room, and that I have 170 people and they aren’t going to squeeze in the other room w/ a dancefloor. I have people coming from Poland and everything. I've had my deposit on that room for a year! She said she’ll have to talk to the powers that be above her and get back to me.

WTF?! How the hell can you double book the room? And why do you expect ME to move? Move the other party to the smaller room!

Needless to say, i'm freaking at my desk.

Re: WTF?!

  • calindicalindi member
    5000 Comments Second Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Hooooly shoot, that's not good!  Sorry you're going through this!

    Talk to a lawyer, if you know any.  You have a contract, and they're obligated to fulfill it.  It's not your problem that they double booked, so don't let them make you feel like you have to change anything.  Don't sign ANYTHING else until you talk to a lawyer (and if you don't know one, PM me and I'll give you some ideas).

    Maybe you'll get the smaller room for free, or they can make something else happen.  But don't feel like this is your problem that you need to solve - put the responsibility on them to fix their screw up.

    Hang in there and let us know how it goes!!!

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  • tannymcgeetannymcgee member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    WTF is right.  

    Don't panic yet.  You have a contract -- it specifies that particular room, right?  There isn't any language on it where they could possibly put you in a different room?  
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  • starrbuk13starrbuk13 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    oh man i'm really sorry.  hopefully she'll come back and say that you can have the room.

    my thoughts:  (1) i highly doubt that someone else had the room booked 5 years ago. my guess is that someone else came along with a larger number of guests and a bigger budget so they want to give them the bigger room.  is it written into your contract which room you will be in?  if not, they can likely switch the room on you without penalty.  (2) if they cancel, your contract should dictate what happens.  you should get your deposits back at the very least.  the venue can also be liable for your costs in securing a different venue (for example, if your current venue was going to cost you $10,000 total, and the next best alternative you can find is going to cost you $12,000, you can recover that extra $2k in certain situations).  you would probably have to take them to small claims court to get the extra money though.  (3) is there any way at all that your reception can fit into the smaller room?  if so, like PP said, you can maybe get it for a reduced cost or free, or have the venue cut costs elsewhere to make up for your inconvenience.  

    make sure you save EVERY email that you get from the venue.  i would hesitate talking to them over the phone - you want this stuff in writing just in case you do end up in court with them.  

    try to keep calm :)  everything will work out!!  (fwiw, i feel your pain.  our caterer booked out on us 2 weeks before our reception and kept our $3,000 in deposits!)
  • kls114kls114 member
    Tenth Anniversary 5000 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    5 years? NO WAY!! I thought we were massively advance in booking our venue with 2.5 years to go.

    Overall, this is their fault--why should you have to switch everything around because they messed up?!?

    Definitely talk to a lawyer to see what your options are as well as reading your contract.

    Keep us posted & GL!
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  • calindicalindi member
    5000 Comments Second Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    My guess is that it's a recurring client, if it's been signed for 5 years, like a conference or prom or something that happens every year.  They probably signed something promising them that date, or their pick of dates, and unfortunately you are the one to suffer because they don't want to alienate a repeat client when you're not likely to be a repeat client since you only get married once.

    Please don't let them push you around - you don't deserve to be put through this, and it's their fault, not yours!  Let us know if you need more advice, but a lawyer would be your best contact right now.  Get EVERYTHING in writing, print out all the emails, and even write down a written account of any conversations you've had regarding which room you were getting (if it's not explicitly spelled out in your contract) and who might have been a witness to these conversations.

    Don't communicate via phone anymore - in writing, or in person with a lawyer present.

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  • edited December 2011
    I agree with calindi.  It's probably a repeat client, but that isn't right.  Especially since you booked so long ago.  I'd seek a lawyer for advice.
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  • starrbuk13starrbuk13 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    danielle, you have PM (well, you will in a sec lol)
  • edited December 2011
    Danielle,

    I would definitely limit my phone calls and stick to emails- as phone calls don't hold up in court but emails do...I do agree with the other girls that it is probably a repeat customer so they figure they will just move you around well that is some B.S. and I would be totally pissed!! At this point I wouldn't even want to do business with them!!  5 years??? really I don't think so!! who books a venue 5 years in advance?..

    Good Luck... Maybe you will end up finding a better place to have your wedding!!
    Keep us posted!
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  • Vanessa630Vanessa630 member
    1000 Comments Fourth Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    The other girls have given lots of great advice so I really don't have anything to add other than I'm so sorry this is happening to you!! That's awful!   Definitely keep us posted. 
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_wtf-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:65Discussion:f798e862-17ae-4a36-a802-f0036bac7c7dPost:d5150473-8f80-46aa-b18c-a72216d093e5">Re: WTF?!</a>:
    [QUOTE]The other girls have given lots of great advice so I really don't have anything to add other than I'm so sorry this is happening to you!! That's awful!   Definitely keep us posted. 
    Posted by Vanessa630[/QUOTE]

    <div>^exactly!</div><div>
    </div><div>That sucks! Try to remain calm though hopefully it will work out :(</div>
  • edited December 2011
    Oh wow! I'm sooo sorry you're dealing with this! How horrible! The ladies have given you some great advice! Hoping things turn out in your favor.

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  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_wtf-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:65Discussion:f798e862-17ae-4a36-a802-f0036bac7c7dPost:d5150473-8f80-46aa-b18c-a72216d093e5">Re: WTF?!</a>:
    [QUOTE]The other girls have given lots of great advice so I really don't have anything to add other than I'm so sorry this is happening to you!! That's awful!   Definitely keep us posted. 
    Posted by Vanessa630[/QUOTE]
     
    Ditto again - all PPs have given great advice.  Maybe someone did come along with more money, or maybe it is a repeat customer that comes along every year on your date and they didn't put it on the calendar for the new year yet.  Either way, double check your contract if there is wording about the EXACT room you are supposed to be in at the venue.  Stick to e-mail so that everything is in writing.  Contact a lawyer about your options.  If the other room is nicer and doable for less money, then possibly go for it.  Otherwise get your deposit back and sue the crap out of them if you have to pay more for a comparable venue due to their mistake! lol

    But definitely keep us posted!  I'm so sorry you have to go through this, but you'll get through it...we're with ya!
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  • Vikki2payVikki2pay member
    Sixth Anniversary 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I'm so sorry you're going through this.  I can't believe someone would book 5 years out.  I think the venue really botched something up.  I hope they can fix it for you.

    Keep us posted.
  • MuddyInsigniaMuddyInsignia member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011

    I am sure it is a reoccuring client with an annual meeting or some such. On the possitive side, you might be able to try to see if the other booking is willing to move to a smaller room. In 5 years, their needs might change, meaning it might be a smaller group now and they might be willing to move to a different room. That might be your only hope at this location.

    If they insist you move rooms. then that would p*** me off enought, that I would just look elsewhere. CT is an amazing state with so many beautiful reception venues that would love to have you. It might be a blessing in disguise and you could end up with an unexpected and wonderful reception elsewhere.

    Best of luck--let us know what happens!

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  • edited December 2011
    Gosh, how awful.  A year ago, my DAD thought this was a HILARIOUS April Fool's joke to play on me.  I didn't laugh. 

    As a lawyer (admitted in NY, not CT, and certainly not expert in these types of disputes), I would strongly recommend contacting an attorney.  The venue has two contractual obligations to fulfill and the mistake was theirs.  You had no reason to know of their mistake, so it's on them. 

    I would double check your contract with respect to the desired room and cancellation procedures.  Then contact an attorney by contacting the CT bar association.  They have a referral service to connect you with the best attorney for this task. 

    Best of luck!
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