Important- need help about cancellation. Boo economy!

Original post by gabandcarl

Dec 05, 2008 07:52 AM

I'm having a hard time coming up with money for the wedding. My parents offered to pay for most of it but my dad recently got laid off and is having a hard time finding a jo(hes in printing). I really cant ask them to pay for anything. Being that the economy is only getting worse- I'm nervous that me and FH can't even afford it(hes in construction and he is running out of work-hes not even working full weeks now). Does anyone know if there are any laws in suffolk county about getting deposits back- my parents already put 6k down towads the thatched cottage but the contract we signed states that all refunds are lost if you cancel 8 months before the wedding(we missed it by 1 month. Me and fh were thinking to book a less expensive place or change the date possibly(although i dont want to change the date!). Any suggestions? I need all the help i can get. This economy blows.

bxbride Posted: Dec 07, 2008 10:31 PM

Re: Important- need help about cancellation. Boo economy!

I had the same problem when my mom lost her job. Now we're paying for our wedding. I ended up saving $5,000 just by switching from a friday evening to a sunday afternoon. I didn't want to change the date but tough time call for tough measures. We're also not having limos. people are still going to have fun. Its about sharing this day with people you love. I think it would be better to either change the date or postpone it to 2010. Good luck!

mcclj74 Posted: Dec 08, 2008 04:51 PM

Re: Important- need help about cancellation. Boo economy!

Just an FYI - that law - the $100 is only IF they are able to rebook...or its more than 6 months prior to your date

if they can show that they cant get someone else, you may be stuck...here is the actual text of the law:

A.A cancellation occurs:

(1)When the consumer mails to the caterer notice of his or her intent to cancel; or

(2)When the caterer has actual notice of the consumer's intent to cancel.

B.With regard to cancellation fees:

(1)If a consumer cancels a catering contract and the caterer is able to rebook the date, the caterer's cancellation fee may not exceed 5% of the total contract price or $100, whichever is less, plus actual expenses reasonably incurred.

(2)If a consumer cancels a catering contract and the caterer is unable to rebook the date, the caterer's cancellation fee may not exceed the difference between the total contract price and the cost of performance, plus actual expenses reasonably incurred. The caterer must be able to show diligent efforts to rebook and most fairly calculate the cost of performance.

(3)It will be presumed that a caterer who receives notice of cancellation six months or more before the scheduled date of the function will be able to rebook.

sophisticat13 Posted: Dec 08, 2008 06:45 PM

Re: Important- need help about cancellation. Boo economy!

I agree...I would talk to them (in person, not over the phone) and see what they will do for you. If worse comes to worst, see if you can move the date and keep your hall. You chose it for a reason

Good luck...please keep us posted!!!

JSG10506 Posted: Dec 09, 2008 12:38 AM

Re: Important- need help about cancellation. Boo economy!

I'd see if you could change it to a Sunday or Friday, or a day wedding on a Sat. Maybe if you changed it to the winter it'd be a lot more affordable even though I know you really want your date. I mean if you really really don't want to change the date, what about moving it to 2010 like some of the ladies have said? A lot could change in two years!

MsPotterhead Posted: Dec 09, 2008 07:37 AM

Re: Important- need help about cancellation. Boo economy!

You can absolutely get your $ back, - law is law, but you have to cancel 6 months in advance. I LOVED the Thatched Cottage, but I also strongly considered the Riviera. They were about $10 pp less than thatched cottage, and then went down to $14 less when we told them we were booking somewhere else. That may be a place you want to look into if you don't want to change the date. They have a beautiful outdoor area like the Thatched Cottage. The inside is a totally different feel there.

Im sorry you are having these problems, but its great that you are so level headed about it and know what is important .

fujamaga Posted: Jan 26, 2009 03:42 PM

Re: Important- need help about cancellation. Boo economy!

Posted by geegee827

here's the link:

Suffolk Code

It's chapter 237 on the left hand side.

Does anyone know if there's a similar law in Manhattan?

dana1206 Posted: Jan 26, 2009 09:36 PM

Re: Important- need help about cancellation. Boo economy!

Posted by TheLadyJ

I was like you. I told my hall that for financial reason I could not go through with the wedding in 2009. They agreed to let me postpone. Had I cancelled I would have lost all the deposits so far, but since I postponed they let me keep it all.

My hall was in Nassau though. Suffolk has that law.

I did exactly the same thing. It was coming up really quick and we just didn't have the money, so I contacted all of my vendors and they ALL let me change the date to December of 09 without any penalties. I didn't get anything cheaper, but I did get 9 more months to save.

Watever143 Posted: Jan 26, 2009 09:57 PM

Re: Important- need help about cancellation. Boo economy!

can you just lower the amt of ppl you are inviting? Thats what I would do so you wouldnt have to change anything....

dazey Posted: Jan 27, 2009 01:22 AM

Re: Important- need help about cancellation. Boo economy!

i know the thatched cottage is going to give you a hard time, but if that law can help you than there's nothing they can do. i do know that they also have a sunday brunch wedding which is a LOT cheaper than anything else. i'm sure they will work with you if you choose to change the date or have something smaller, i was told by them the same thing as you.. if you don't cancel before the 8 months than you lose your deposit. good luck, and i hope you can work something out!