Non-disparagement Clause in Contract

View Quoted Comment I really think it is for the best. I agree with some other people who have post in here that the existence of the clause is a huge red flag. One user commented that the clause is actually illegal, and I did some searching - and they are actually right! I plan on contacting a lawyer today just to verify the date that the law actually passed, because the two that I had my experience with might have actually had illegal terms in their contracts.

When I complained to The Knot about this (I was simply asking them to remove what had previously been a great review, written shortly after their hire), this is what they said:



Their email address: *************@*******.***



"You mentioned a No-Negative-Review clause in a contract. Could you please send me a copy of that contract for every vendor it is applicable to? We frown greatly on clauses like that in contracts.
That being said, I will remove your reviews if that is what you want. They should be down within 24 hours."

So, there you have it. I will let you know if I find anyone who doesn't have this clause in their contract.

Hi!

Wedding Planner here. So after 14 yrs of successful planning with no bad reviews I recently had an experience that has me considering adding this clause. My actual client was the Mother of the Groom and this incident was told to me second hand from said client. Apparently the Bride and my client had a conversation about my fees and something between them was lost in translation and I am told the Bride left the conversation furious thinking I was trying to price gouge the Mother-in-law, which was so unbelievably far from the truth. The Bride was traveling at the time and once my client realized what was happening, the Bride was already on a plane from Europe with phone in airplane mode, my client could not reach her but the Bride had access to internet. Thank GOD the Bride just typed up and did not actually post a completely false, negative review about me because after it was all said and done the Bride came to realize and even admit that I was being underpaid and had gone above and beyond. Even if the Bride posted a bad review and then deleted it, those statements would have been out there for the world to see and could have done some serious damage. She did email one of my vendors about it and though she sent a follow up email stating her mistake the damage was still done and now that vendor has a negative and drama filled experience that they associate with me and my business. It makes me nauseous every time I think about it. I had another client from a baby shower who did not post anything online about me but she ultimately could not afford to pay for her linens and catering and come day of when I went to pick these things up I paid out of pocket. The embarrassment between lack of funds (which I am not putting her down for and would have been more than happy to help her and work out a payment plan) and the fact that her "host" didn't show up, and no one wanted to be there and her in-laws even stated they wanted the shower over with ASAP, lead her to say really awful things to me and people I know. Her reason for saying I have no clue what I am doing and my family is probably ashamed of me (? which was sort of a weird insult since my family has nothing to do with my business) ? Quote "there was not enough water in one of the vases"...... I can't even.. That particular event was a friend of a friend, so I had already thrown in so much free time and materials, made the cutest favors and just so much for this girl and that is what I got back, along with no reimbursement for the linens and food..

So because of these things I have considered putting this clause in. People are scary and for really no fault of the service provider will say terrible things not realizing the damage they can do. Just remember there is always three sides of a story, side one, side two and the truth!