Wedding Cancellation... W HO IS EN T IT L E D TO W H AT
What should businesses do if a wedding has been cancelled or postponed? Emma Ward, partner and solicitor in Nelsons’ dispute resolution team, explains the options
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ith large weddings no longer able to take place across the UK as a result of the
coronavirus pandemic, thousands of venues and suppliers are losing out on business at what has always been one of the most lucrative times of the year. Since lockdown measures were introduced on 23 March, according to a study by wedding planning app Bridebook an estimated 64% of weddings globally have been forced to cancel or postpone, leaving many businesses wondering what they should be doing if this affected them and work they were contarcted too carry out.. On Tuesday, 23 June, the
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government announced that wedding services for up to 30 people will be allowed to take place from 4 July, providing social distancing guidelines are adhered to. “While there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon, the question remains as to what businesses in the wedding industry can do when faced with a slew of cancelled events and requests for postponement or cancellation,” says solicitor Emma Ward. “The changes announced by the government apply only to wedding ceremonies, with large wedding receptions or parties remaining prohibited. Receptions and parties will only be able to take place with a maximum of six people from different households (in which case, the celebrations will need to take place outdoors and with social distancing), or with no more than two households (in which case the party can be indoors or outdoors but again, social distancing will need to be observed). “According to wedding website Hitched, the wedding industry is worth in excess of £10 billion each year – with the average wedding (from engagement through to honeymoon) costing £36,000. These are clearly very large figures but perhaps not that surprising given the number of different businesses that provide their expertise and products to the happy couple. “From venues and florists to photographers and live bands, all these industries, like so many others, will be reeling not only from the impact of Covid-19, but also the refusal of many insurers to accept claims made under either business interruption insurance or wedding insurance.” So what should a business do when a wedding is vancelled or postponed? According to Emma, the first step in most cases will be to have a look at the contract – what did you agree? Is there a clause that dictates what will happen in the event that either party cannot perform their obligations under the contract due to
