‘We’re not able to even attend our wedding’: Unvaccinated couple may lose $11,000 venue deposit

Bekah Cox and her soon-to-be husband couldn't wait to be surrounded by family and friends on their wedding day.

But now, with Ontario's proof-of-vaccination system, things became more challenging for the couple.

We're not able to even attend our wedding," Cox said.

To make matters worse, they might also lose their $11,000 deposit.

In February, the couple booked their reception at LIUNA Station, a banquet and convention centre on James Street North, when the vaccine rollout was beginning. Now that vaccinations are required to enter public spaces, including meeting and event spaces, the couple would be barred from their wedding on Nov. 28 as they aren't vaccinated.

It makes me more comfortable just to wait a little bit until there's more information about the long-term effects (of the vaccines)," she said. In this case, time may not be on her side. With the planned date just over a month away, they risk forfeiting their $11,000 deposit.

Cox planned to have rapid testing available for guests and a mask mandate, and she even booked a larger room than needed to accommodate physical-distancing measures. The vaccine mandate threw a wrench" into their plans, she said.

They've been trying to get their deposit back from LIUNA, even if it's partial, and proposed using the deposit to cater food at another venue. Vico Rosatone, the general manager of LUINA Station, said that isn't an option.

I don't think that's right," Cox said, especially as the vaccine mandate isn't under their control.

But it's not under the control of LIUNA Station either, as businesses can be charged and fined under the Reopening Ontario Act if they don't comply with the rules.

Rosatone said he understands the frustration couples must feel trying to plan a wedding during the pandemic, and LIUNA is trying to be as reasonable as possible."

LIUNA has done everything in (their) power" to accommodate clients throughout the pandemic, including rescheduling events when the province was in a shutdown and even afterward, Rosatone said. He also said they issued full refunds for people who scheduled events at the now-closed LIUNA Gardens, but these measures can't stick around forever.

We've always explained" to clients that once we're open for business, we're open for business."

And not being vaccinated is a personal choice that doesn't warrant a refund for their deposit. We can't be held accountable for that," he said.

We're just trying to stay open," and that includes following the rules. (It's) everybody's responsibility," he said.

COVID-19 outbreaks at weddings in Hamilton have been noted before, including four that occurred recently. One outbreak at the Waterfront Centre saw 20 guests infected with COVID-19. LIUNA also had a wedding-related outbreak.

One of the city's 10 active outbreaks is from a wedding on Oct. 9.

Dr. Fiona Smaill, a professor of microbiology and infectious diseases, said it's very important that we protect those around us" by getting vaccinated, especially at weddings where older folks are in attendance. Smaill also noted millions of people worldwide have received COVID-19 vaccines, and side effects are often immediate or occur within the first few weeks after inoculation.

There's no scientific reason why I would expect any late side effects to be reported."

Alessia Passafiume is an intern reporter with The Spectator. Reach her via email: apassafiume@thespec.com