Couples angry at 'devastated' banquet halls' refusals to return down payments

Paramount and Doctor's House say they've been left with 'zero help' as a result of the coronavirus pandemic

Yorkregion.com
June 8, 2020
Jeremy Grimaldi

How long will it be until you can hold a wedding with hundreds of people in Vaughan or the wider York Region?

No one knows.

But that isn’t stopping at least two banquet halls from withholding thousands of dollars worth of down payments from couples in an attempt to reschedule their events until 2021.

The couples are fighting back, demanding their money be returned and taking legal action.

The companies, meanwhile, are suggesting they have little option, as the owners and their employees suffer as a result of the pandemic.

Matt Clarke and his fiancee, Rebecca De Wild, were to be married on April 18 at Paramount Eventspace between Hwy. 7 and 407 in Woodbridge.

The couple spent $20,400 on the venue of their 325-attendee wedding, plus more than $12,000 for decor and a DJ at the site.

“It’s our life savings,” said Clarke.

Clarke, from King, said the company is offering them another date that has yet to be booked in 2021, but refusing to return the cash.

But Clarke is questioning whether or not they’ll be able to get together 325 people at that time.

“For us, it’s about the uncertainty of what’s going to happen,” he said. “We don’t know what the new normal will be. It’s an uncomfortable feeling them holding on to the money for so long. We said we will have no problem coming back to Paramount if it opens up and they give our money back.”

But Clarke says the company is only offering $5,000 if they cancel the entire event and move on.

The venue, meanwhile, says this is occurring during an unprecedented situation, resulting in 1,100 layoffs, closure of all venues, three restaurants and one of Toronto’s largest hotels.

“We will continue to treat all of our clients -- charities, individuals and corporations -- throughout this pandemic and always equally and fairly,” Mario Savo, general manager at Paramount, wrote in an email. “Clarke and his fiancee are no different than any other bride and groom nor are their circumstances. The money is not being kept, it is simply being transferred to a new event date and will go toward their wedding on a new date.”

He added that he feels the criticism is "unjust and truly unfair" to his business and those of his colleagues.

"It should be noted that the majority of our clients have been very understanding and have worked with us to find solutions and we are very grateful for their support," he added, explaining the $5,000 refund offer was one of "good faith" following the coronavirus outbreak.

Sean Joseph, 32, and his fiancee, Nicole Pinto, 31, have a similar problem with the Doctor’s House in Kleinburg.

They paid $14,400 to the hall for a 175-person wedding in July, but say they have been all but stonewalled by the company, which emailed, suggesting that should the couple want to postpone the wedding, they will have to pay $2,000.

“But we don’t know what it’s going to look like in three months or 12 months , or when the flu season hits,” said Joseph. “The idea of putting it off another year doesn’t sit well with us -- we want to start our life, have kids, buy a house.”

They have decided to get married in a small church ceremony so that Pinto’s 90-year-old grandmother can attend. They may hold a reception in the future.

“We no longer have that trust , we feel like we’re being strong-armed into picking dates we’re not comfortable with,” Joseph added.

Pinto said the vendors, to whom $5,000 was paid, including the florist and photographer, have been accommodating with them and are willing to alter their dates.

Ben Graci, owner at the Doctor’s House, said the pandemic has devastated his business, resulting in laying off 130 staff and complete revenue loss, while still outlaying cash for his properties.

“We are allowing all couples up until this time to move to all available dates up until May 1, 2021 at no additional cost,” he wrote in an email. “If the couple cannot use those dates, we are offering a credit toward another event for up to two years after the date we reopen.”

He added that his firm, which has been open 40 years, has received no help from the government and insists that he’s already moved 100 weddings in the past three months.

“I understand the frustration,(but) I will lose a lot this year,” he said. “If I break even next year, I will be happy.”