Hotel’s refusal to refund wedding reception deposit after death of the bride causes upset
As the couple hadn't take out wedding insurance the cost of the reception cannot be recouped after the death of the bride
A hotel in the North East of England has hit the headlines this week after it refused to refund a deposit for a wedding reception after the bride sadly passed away.
35-year-old Annette Bainbridge had planned to tie the knot with Paul Teece in November but after suffering a severe asthma attack, the bride-to-be died suddenly at the end of May. Annette and her fiancé had already paid the full £2,000 for their wedding on May 1st.
The hotel was contacted by the grieving family to inform them that the wedding would have to be cancelled following the untimely death of the bride. Despite the tragic circumstances, the hotel asked for a cancellation fee of £1,500 be paid which was stipulated in the contract.
The establishment has since waived the cancellation fee however the cost of the wedding has not been recouped, as the couple hadn’t taken out wedding insurance. The family and fiancé of the deceased bride say that although the hotel is legally obliged to keep the money, they question the hotel’s moral integrity given the sad circumstances which forced the cancellation of the wedding.
When asked for their take on the situation, the general manager at the hotel in question refused to comment, stating that the matter was a private one between them and the groom, Mr Teece.
Kelly Cooper is the Editor of Wedding News and oversees the work of all the writers. Kelly has worked extensively in the media for the past 10 years, first as a trainee with her local newspaper in Norfolk, and before going it alone as a freelance journalist where she wrote for a number of women’s publications, including bridal magazines. The experience and knowledge which Kelly brings to the role of Editor at Wedding News has been invaluable enables the site to progress and develop on a variety of levels.
that’s exactly what deposits are for. There’s no argument here. i love weddings.
This hotel and the General Manager should be named and shamed for their disgraceful handling of this tragic situation. Disgusting!!