I will try and put it in layman's term. You only need to pay the outstanding in full if you are got what you asked. . Not paying is not against the law.
Here is the approach
1) The couple notifies the hotel that the services and goods are not up to expectation and not in agreement with terms and conditions of their agreement.
2) The couple then tells the Hotel that the ball is in their court to address it. The hotel can do any of the following:
- Deny and demand full payment by means of legal recourse by sending a letter of demand
- Come to an agreement and reduce the amount due as compensation
- Agree, do not seek any further payment or even offer compensation higher than the deposit placed to avoid a lawsuit for embarrasing the couple during an auspicious moment in their life.
3) The Couple need not pay a dime until the matter is resolved. All they have to do is provide a reason. The couple can walk out without any fear or favour. The couple can also sue the hotel for various damages and if found in their favour, can get compensation many time over the total bill of $18,000. The Hotel is supposed to be an expert at providing a wedding service. To them it is not a rare event.
Now that the couple have paid in full, the hotel can completely ignore them. The only hope is to take a legal course with lots of expenses.