Venue refuses to refund client's deposit after they call off their wedding, client uses the space to host a Mario Kart tournament instead, despite venue's demands: ’Release the date'

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Jan 12, 2026 4:00 PM EST

When a couple decides to tie the knot and get married, it goes without saying that they should be absolutely sure that this is what they want.

Not just because it is a must for their relationship, but because a wedding is one super expensive thing, and it would be a shame to lose all that money because you agreed to get married before you were ready. If you do decide you are not ready for marriage after you have already started planning the wedding, be prepared to say goodbye to a lot of the money you have already invested in the event, such as every single one of the deposits you have made with the wedding vendors. If you don't want to lose a sum of money that could easily take you on a 3-month-long trip to wherever, then be sure you know and love the person you are marrying.

The person in the story below, for their defense, was ready to marry their fiancée, until they found out she had cheated. This little piece of information was, of course, a valid reason to call off their wedding, but not enough to convince all the vendors to give the ex-couple their money back.

While the partner managed to get some of the deposits back, the one vendor that refused to refund any of the money was the venue. They claimed that if the wedding is called off within three months of the event, the couple still has to pay in full.

Since none of the money would be returned to the partner, they decided to simply have an event at the venue anyway, so they hosted a Mario Kart tournament for all their friends on the day they were supposed to get married. The venue, however, didn't like the fact that their client refused to release the date and accused them of preventing other couples from getting married on that day.

But why should the partner let them host another wedding on that day if they are the ones who are basically paying for it? Why should the venue get paid double for that day, since they refused to give any of the money back?

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  • Elegant Outdoor Wedding Venue with Ceremony Setup
    via rbmbinny production

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • AITAH for keeping my reception venue when I couldn't get a refund?

    My fiancee che ted on me and found out about six weeks ago. I called off our wedding.
    via No_Negotiation_3951
  • Sorry to be so matter of fact about it but I'm still not okay. I managed to get partial refunds on almost everything.
    via No_Negotiation_3951
  • The photographer only kept $200 of our deposit. Our church doesn't charge members for using it for weddings.
    via No_Negotiation_3951
  • But they also did not allow alcohol in their reception hall so we booked that separately.
    via No_Negotiation_3951
  • The venue had a strict policy of not giving back any money without three months notice.
    via No_Negotiation_3951
  • Since I only gave a month and a half and had paid in full I was getting nothing back.
    via No_Negotiation_3951
  • was pissed. My brother actually came up with the plan. We held a party with a Mario Kart tournament.
    via No_Negotiation_3951
  • We had a huge screen and projector. I knew I had a bunch of friends with that night free.
    via No_Negotiation_3951
  • So we did that instead. Twenty and thirty something idiots playing a children's game for bragging rights.
    via No_Negotiation_3951
  • We had a blast. I felt like I was in college again. I had sent my ex her part of every deposit but obviously nothing for the venue.
    via No_Negotiation_3951
  • I have not heard from her. But the venue wanted me to release the date. I said I would if they gave me a refund.
    via No_Negotiation_3951
  • Couple of young clients at meeting with agent insurer realtor, reading paper contract
    via @valeriyhoncharuk

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • They refused so I refused. Since we got catering separately I didn't even need to tip the staff.
    via No_Negotiation_3951
  • Now I am hearing that I sc ved over the venue and staff by taking up room that they could have rented to a different event.
    via No_Negotiation_3951
  • Some people are saying that I kept someone from having a beautiful wedding there. I don't care.
    via No_Negotiation_3951
  • I don't owe the venue an opportunity to be paid twice. I honestly would have accepted it if they kept our 30% deposit.
    via No_Negotiation_3951
  • But they kept the whole thing. We didn't leave a mess so they probably saved on janitorial services.
    via No_Negotiation_3951
  • Fan_of_Clio So they wanted all the money AND the space? Hell no Tbh I thought this post was going to be about the reaction of your ex. Says a lot when a greedy company is more evil than a cheating ex in this story
    via Fan_of_Clio
  • dirtydragondan Sounds like the overseers of the venue decided to throw a Blue Shell on themselves OP. Kart hard and kart often, you did the best thing with what you had to work with
    via dirtydragondan
  • Heroinkirby Would u have taken half? If they offered half back, they probably coulda settled. But the audacity of them to wanna double book is crazy
    via Heroinkirby
  • No_Negotiation_3951 Original Poster's Reply Yes. I offered that.
    via No_Negotiation_3951
  • BinaryWanderer They expected you to not show up so they could just book it out and make more money. Nah, even if I had no friends or plans, I'd just cop a squat in the middle of the dance floor with a lawn chair and steamdeck. If I paid for it and can't get a refund - nobody else is getting it.
    via BinaryWanderer
  • No_Negotiation_3951 Original Poster's Reply That's petty. I love it.
    via No_Negotiation_3951
  • Upbeat-Employ-3689 You should feel horrible for... uh... not allowing that company to profit from your misfortune?
    via Upbeat-Employ-3689
  • No_Negotiation_3951 Original Poster's Reply The only thing I feel.bad about is that another couple didn't get their first choice venue.
    via No_Negotiation_3951
  • Opening_Sky_3740 Honestly you're super NTAH because you gave your cheating ex their part of the deposits. I would've kept that! NTAH to the event people anyway, they definitely were for not offering any portion of a refund then demanding use of your date.
    via Opening_Sky_3740
  • No_Negotiation_3951 Original Poster's Reply I wanted a clean break.
    via No_Negotiation_3951
  • ApprehensiveBook4214 You gave them the option to refund you and get the venue back for that date. They declined. NTA. They simply got greedy and wanted to get paid twice for the same thing.
    via ApprehensiveBook4214

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wedding drama refund cancelled customers Mario Kart dispute client relationships venue wedding money
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