Wedding Planner's Deception Leaves Groom Out of Pocket, Court Awards Compensation

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

A Bahraini groom has been awarded compensation after a wedding planner failed to deliver on his promises, leaving the groom and his family humiliated and financially out of pocket. This is not the first case of its kind, with several other couples having sought legal action against the same planner for similar breaches of contract.

Lawyer Eman Al Ansari, representing the groom, revealed that the High Appeals Court, Second Instance, overturned an initial court decision and awarded her client BD 4,600 in compensation. The groom had signed a contract with the wedding planner four months prior to his wedding, paying BD 4,300 for the planning and booking of a wedding venue at a hotel.

As the wedding date approached, the groom contacted the planner to confirm arrangements, only to discover that no booking had been made. The hotel confirmed that no reservation existed under either the groom's or the planner's name.

Al Ansari explained that the planner's actions deprived the groom of the use of his money and caused him significant embarrassment, as he had already announced the wedding date and venue to his family and friends. The groom subsequently filed a lawsuit seeking compensation for his losses.

The initial court dismissed the groom's claim, prompting him to appeal the decision. The High Court Appeals Court found that the planner had clearly breached the contract by failing to fulfill his obligations. The court ruled that the planner's actions were a departure from normal behavior and had resulted in both financial and emotional harm to the groom.

The court recognised the groom's financial losses due to the non-refundable payment and acknowledged the emotional distress he suffered from the cancellation of his wedding. The court ultimately upheld the groom's appeal, awarding him compensation for both material and emotional damages.