Recently, in Henan, a newlywed couple held their wedding at a hotel, paying nearly 20,000 yuan as a deposit. During the ceremony, there was a prolonged power outage, plunging the venue into darkness. Over 400 guests left one by one, and the wedding was unable to proceed. The family of the couple expressed particular frustration, with one mother of the bride in tears, saying, “After waiting for more than 20 years, our faces have all been lost!”
According to a report by the Beijing Youth Daily on November 30, attorney Yao Zhidou from Beijing’s Capital Lawyer’s Office believes that in this incident, the hotel’s service was flawed, causing a poor wedding banquet experience. According to relevant regulations, the hotel should reasonably reduce the consumption amount for the couple. The successful completion of the wedding is of significant importance to the parties involved, and the couple can legally claim compensation for mental damages from the hotel.
Reported by Henan TV’s “Urban Report” on November 26, a couple in Jiyuan, Henan, held their wedding at a hotel and paid a deposit of 19,800 yuan.
The family of the couple expressed their particular frustration. A parent of the couple stated that during the wedding, there was a sudden power outage, and “the venue was pitch black, with guests in chaos and shouting.”
The parent expressed that they thought power would be restored quickly, but it took over 40 minutes to get it back. During this time, over 400 guests left one after another.
Talking about this incident, a mother of the bride was in tears due to anger, saying, “After waiting for more than 20 years, on such a joyful day for my child, our faces have all been lost.”
In response, the hotel stated that the power was only out for about 10 minutes… the couple refused to pay the consumption fees.
The parents of the couple expressed their hope for the hotel to provide relevant compensation.
In such circumstances, how should the consumption fees be calculated and paid? Is there any relevant legal basis?
Attorney Yao Zhidou from Beijing’s Capital Lawyer’s Office believes that although the couple and the hotel did not sign a written contract, both parties essentially agreed that the hotel would provide catering services, and they had already received part of the couples’ payment, forming a de facto catering service contract relationship.
Yao Zhidou stated that as a service provider, the hotel should provide the agreed-upon wedding banquet catering services to ensure the successful completion of the banquet as scheduled. However, due to the power outage during the catering service, which led to a poor quality banquet affecting the dining experience, the hotel is at fault. According to the provisions of the Civil Code, the consumption fees for the couple should be reasonably reduced.
In this situation, can the couple claim compensation for mental distress? Is there any relevant legal basis?
Yao Zhidou stated that weddings have a specific ceremonial and commemorative meaning for the couple and their family members. Whether the wedding and banquet can be successfully completed is of significant importance to the parties involved.
Yao Zhidou mentioned that if the power outage at the hotel resulted in a flawed service causing a poor banquet experience, it may have a negative impact on the couple and their family. According to the provisions of the Civil Code, the couple can claim compensation for mental damages from the hotel.
This event has attracted widespread attention and discussion among netizens.
“Ling0o”: First, clarify whether the power outage lasted for 10 minutes or 40 minutes! This represents the hotel’s attitude. If it was indeed 40 minutes instead of 10 minutes as the parents claimed, I support their demand for mental compensation. Not only should the deposit be returned, but the compensation amount should be double the deposit.
“微風2020”: There is a big difference between 10 minutes and 40 minutes of power outage, these two statements need clarification.