Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Massachusetts
Wedding reception financial agreement contract
In the contract with a country club for our wedding reception, we were asked to pay a $10000 minimum for the rental of the room and food/beverages. To my understanding, that included the fee of $3500 for a deposit and $6500 left over for food/beverages without the tax and gratuity. I'd asked for the total amount of the whole event to be sent over but it never came, so I assumed that $10000 was the complete sum, minus the tax. The consultant at the country club says that she Emailed it to us, but we hadn't received anything, and the contract did not specify that the $10,000 was for the food only. After she made us add on more food, I thought it was odd, but I again assumed it was like a restaurant; once you make the reservation, you pay for the food you ate. Call me stupid, but this is my first marriage, and don't know a thing on how to plan it. I thought that was the coordinator's job. Now she is bothering my in-laws for money and won't listen to anything. She is now charging us $14223, a considerable increase to the original amount. I am willing to pay half as a compromise, but she is now threatening to charge more if we don't pay. Am I the one being unreasonable, or do I actually make some sense in my disgruntledment?
3 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Wedding reception financial agreement contract
Sounds to me like you may have a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act if they are contacting relatives who were not signatories on the contract. Also, you should have an attorney read your contract to advise you of your rights.
Re: Wedding reception financial agreement contract
You are right. Make her itemize each item. she will have to do this even if she sues.
Re: Wedding reception financial agreement contract
Read your contract more carefully, it sets forth your rights and obligations. This is something you should have done at the very beginning. A settlement is usually the best thing, one in which both parties are not completely happy, But find out what your rights are.