Canceling my wedding...

What do your contracts say? Some specify that you lose just the deposit if you cancel, others state that you still owe the entire amount if you cancel. This is because vendors are holding your date for you, and might have had to turn other people away for that date. So if you cancel, they keep your deposit because it becomes less likely that they'll rebook that date with someone else, especially when that date is coming up soon.

Check the terms of your contracts. Usually, a deposit will be non-refundable, unfortunately. You could negotiate with the vendor to see if you can sell your deposit to another couple - if you're on any facebook wedding groups, you can ask if there are any couples who might want to take over your booking, by paying you for some/all of the deposit - that way, both parties get something back at least.

Lawyer here - without knowing any specifics and actually giving you any advice, unless there is some law in your jurisdiction which makes it unlawful for a vendor to retain a deposit in the event of a cancellation (I personally have never come across this), they are totally within their rights to keep your deposit unless the terms of the contract are generous and allow the deposit to be refunded (usually providing any contingent conditions are met).

I would say its both normal and expected. September is 5 months out and most people have their vendors booked by that point. By canceling you are depriving them of one entire day's work... and for most wedding vendors there are less than 10 full days of work in a month.

I get keeping the deposit however I have paid most of my vendors in full but they want to keep all of the payment. I'm fine with the deposits I understand that. I just am wondering about the rest of the payments.

View Quoted Comment Some vendors state that if you cancel within a certain amount of time they are allowed to keep everything you’ve already paid them. It’s probably too late for them to find another wedding to book to make up for whatever they would lose from you. It should be in their contract what happens when you cancel

Thank y'all I'm going to have to double check the contract. I'm getting so confused trying to read it.

My vendors have discouraged me from paying more than what is required for the deposit because all payments for them are non refundable - this is only my rentals vendor and they were up front about it . There should be a cancellation clause with details specified

This is why reading and fully understanding all your contracts is so so SO important. If you dont understand reading yourself, ask for clarification.

This is really common now, especially since COVID, where a no-cancellation policy or a rebooking credit is the only thing available. Many times you have to cancel within a timeframe in order to get anything back.

Just finished cancelling my wedding. Lost about 10k in deposits. For me, the reason I cancelled was worth losing the money. But every contract I read said deposits are non-refundable. One company tried to charge me for a third camera man ($500!!) because they said they couldn't cancel him (BS in my book) so I said- great- I will use his services for something else the same day as my wedding. I haven't heard back from the cameraman who couldn't be cancelled about scheduling him to work.. so I am thinking my first instinct was correct. So watch out for the random charges that ARE NOT in the contract. I think this happens mostly with the new vendors. Established vendors have thought of everything and are way more experienced w cancels IMO.

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Tyff, sorry to hear you cancelled your wedding. It sounds like you feel sound with your decision. I wish you all the best.

View Quoted Comment Thank you ❤️