I was engaged for the past year and my wedding date was March of this coming year @ Waters Edge in LIC, NY. As of Christmas Eve, I'm now single and looking for a replacement couple for the venue that we had booked. I know this sounds RIDICULOUS but the venue is stating that I would have to pay the full amountregardless of if there was a wedding or not..unless a replacement is found. I'm hoping not to just leave this in the hands of the venue and be able to be proactive about this by trying to at least attempt to find someone.
My question is: how would I go about doing so? Are there any message boards or etc that would be helpful? I mean, there are freaky things out there online so I'm assuming there has to be SOMETHING out there or SOMEONE HERE.
Any help would be appreciated. I have my dress, the bridesmaids' dresses, gifts and etc that I can't return. I really do not want to be responsible for this when it's hard enough with the situation at hand.
Thank you!
-Anne
kaw2be
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How to find replacement couple? - Long Island Weddings
I'm sorry you're going through this. Make sure you read the contract you signed and don't just take their word for it that you have to pay full price.
Amanda2022
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Re: How to find replacement couple?
Posted by kaw2be
I'm sorry you're going through this. Make sure you read the contract you signed and don't just take their word for it that you have to pay full price.
I agree..most venues told us if we cancelled we wouldn't get the deposit back
xBudgetBridex
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How to find replacement couple? - Long Island Weddings
I'm so sorry to hear! hope your doing ok!! as far as the dresses and wedding supplies u can put picks up here and try to sell them on here.... the venue I wish I could help Idk where to tell u to begin I'm sorry! hopefully someone will come along with info for u soon! good luck and I'm sorry again!
annem13
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How to find replacement couple? - Long Island Weddings
I'm so sorry to hear about that..You may have luck selling your dress, BM dresses and other wedding related stuff here, on other wedding forums and websites such as oncewed.com or tradesy.com. Good luck
rcotter90
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How to find replacement couple? - Long Island Weddings
As far as selling items, google wedding websites. Almost all of them have 'stores' to try to sell your items and you'll have especially good luck with unused items. Try wedding bee I know for sure they have a place to sell stuff. So sorry you're going through this!
MissToMrs
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How to find replacement couple? - Long Island Weddings
i am sorry you are going through this. However, I do believe that you just forfeit the money you gave them and don't have to pay the full amount! that's a little nuts! additionally, if you want you can try selling all your items on here- lots of brides do! :) and as for the hall, if you do have to pay in full maybe see if a charity can use it to host an event because then you can use it as a 'donation' to a charity and write it off in your taxes! sorry your going through this! know you have these boards to help! <3
Jack84
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How to find replacement couple? - Long Island Weddings
I totally agree with the other ladies. I'd def read through your contract. Most of the time you just lose your deposit on account of damages. Any chance you know an attorney? Also def try to sell the items you have. You can post pics i your album and then post a message in all the boards to see if anyone is interested. I am so sorry you are going through this but it's better to know now than later.
HRM2015
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How to find replacement couple? - Long Island Weddings
I would carefully reread your contract. You are likely responsible for a percentage of the total contract price. The reason being is that you have had that date booked for X amount of months, so they need to recoup lost revenue. The chances of them rebooking that date in a little over 60 days is slim to none. They can't be expected to let the room sit empty when they could have had $20k, you know? So you are probably going to have pay something. My dad is a lawyer and this is how he explained it to me when we signed our contract with Flowerfield.
Soon2BeMrsPy
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How to find replacement couple? - Long Island Weddings
I am so sorry to hear this! Keep your head up!
YES he asked me
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How to find replacement couple? - Long Island Weddings
I would also suggest any groups you belong to and putting it up on FB if you have a page. If not I do any maybe I can out it up for you. I have LOTS of people on my page, someone may know someone. Just a thought.
Anniebee
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How to find replacement couple? - Long Island Weddings
I don't have a facebook! Ive been trying to find a bunch of websites that you can sell your event date to and haven't had any luck since. The lady at the venue is already talking about suing me when it's not even 100% sure that another party can't be booked/it's not even the day before (so it definitely is impossible to book another party).
larlynn
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How to find replacement couple? - Long Island Weddings
I'm so sorry you're going through this. Perhaps you can expand your search to parties other than weddings? Sweet sixteens, bar/bat mitzvahs, anniversaries.
Also, I find it hard to believe that you have to give them any more than you already have. I get losing whatever you've already paid, but you shouldn't be losing anything beyond that. I looked there and the woman we met with wasn't terribly nice or helpful. It wouldn't hurt to mention that reputation is everything in this business and if they are unwilling to work with you other brides will find out.
Good luck!
tjdm28
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Re: How to find replacement couple?
I have recently booked at the Water's Edge. Prior to sending in our contract, we went through each clause with the individual we had been negotiating with at the Water's Edge. This was the clause that was in our contract (which I'm sure was in yours as well): In the event that the client cancels, repudiates otherwise breeches this agreement for any alleged cause or reason whatsoever including, but not limited to the postponement or cancellation of the event to be celebrated at the affair, the client shall be liable for the actual damages sustained by Water’s Edge but not limited to Water’s Edge loss of profit.
When we questioned the Water's Edge about this clause, we were also told that a replacement would have to be found. Your best bet (other than possibly consulting with an attorney to see if there's any way to get out of the clause/minimize your damages) is to post on any wedding related/NYC area message board (the knot, weddingbee, etc).
angelicd77
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How to find replacement couple? - Long Island Weddings
Im 99% sure there is a NYS or Suffolk County law that protects you in the event of something like this. I believe as long as you cancell within 6 months of booking or 6 months prior to the event (I dont remember which) that you will ONLY be liable for what you already paid. I wouldnt just roll over on this one. I would do some research. Sorry this is happening!!!
apopie1
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How to find replacement couple? - Long Island Weddings
There's a website skybride.com where you can sell/purchase weddings. I'm not sure if it'll be any help, but I came across the company randomly a few months ago. Sorry to hear about your situation.
Marty
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Re: How to find replacement couple?
Posted by tjdm28
In the event that the client cancels, repudiates otherwise breeches this agreement for any alleged cause or reason whatsoever including, but not limited to the postponement or cancellation of the event to be celebrated at the affair, the client shall be liable for the actual damages sustained by Water’s Edge but not limited to Water’s Edge loss of profit.
If this is the language in your contract too, then you definitely shouldn't be liable for the ENTIRE amount. This sounds like at most you should be liable for their expected profit, which would not be the same as the entire amount you would have paid for the wedding. If there is not wedding, then they don't have to pay employees, they don't have to buy food, etc. At this point, you should be canceling far enough in advance that their only damages should be lost profit, unless they order their food months in advance. Since their only loss should be the expected profit, while I'm not sure how much this would be, I would imagine it's a lot less than the entire amount you would pay to have the wedding, and it may even be less than what you've already paid.
jaycee
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How to find replacement couple? - Long Island Weddings
Hi Anne, that's an awful situation and I'm sorry to hear that. Your best bet might be to hire a contract lawyer to investigate what you are actually liable for. Sure, you might spend $600 to consult with the lawyer for a few hours, but if you could save thousands, it might be worth it. It's also not clear what 'actual damages' would be sustained by Water's Edge, so this would be worth investigating. And with two months to go, surely they have a chance of getting someone else in there- bar mitzvah? Sweet 16? Last minute engagement? Don't give up! :) Good luck!
Karoline
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How to find replacement couple? - Long Island Weddings
Hi Anne, I am so sorry and I hope you are doing well. Did you contact any attorney's? You should call one and see if they can look over the contract for you. I don't think you should be held @ 100% . Hope this helps.
FutureEH
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How to find replacement couple?
Anne, I notice a lot of girls are looking to stay in budget for their weddings. In order to get back even SOME of your money maybe you can offer your date and venue to another bride for a percentage of what you paid and unfortunately eat the rest. It's not ideal but it could be something. I'm so sorry that happed to you, it is not right. That is a gorgeous venue that I think people would jump at if they knew they could get a break. Good luck!!
