2021 Brides - How flexible have your vendors been?

I'm so sorry this has been a difficult situation. I wonder though, why they won't let you reschedule if you have language in the contract that says you can? Them saying everyone is over the virus doesn't really have anything to do with what your contract language says?

I was able to get my deposit back bc I cancelled due to poor customer service and not COVID.

View Quoted Comment I think they are interpreting it to mean they would allow us to reschedule if indoor gatherings are legally not allowed or if gatherings are limited to like 10 people or something.

View Quoted Comment Oh wow! I’m glad you were able to get your deposit back!

Unfortunately, a LOT of vendors are NOT being understanding but...unless there is verbage is the contract saying you CAN'T reschedule then that sounds like BS on their part. Unless your contract has a "Force Majeure" clause in it you can get all your money back, if they're not going to work with you. Sounds like they're just being pains in the butt for no reason. Hope this helps.

We were forced to cancel our wedding due to our governor banning weddings and we were still unable to get any refunds on anything (we had paid deposit, catering fees, and bar fees at that point) and they wouldn’t allow us to postpone without paying everything all over again plus inflation rates. Unfortunately vendors are not required to give refunds and the legal system, more often than not, falls in favor of the business. It’s extremely unfair, but I’ve seen many vendors doing the same thing to other brides.


Since gatherings are currently allowed in your area, unfortunately the venue can hold onto monies paid and not allow you to postpone.

I know that alot of venues aren't giving the deposits back because they are not obligated to do so. Is there a reason that you cancelled so early? March is 5 months away there is a great chance that some restrictions will be lifted. Obviously not back to 100% normal but I definitely think it will be a little better by then.

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Well, some of our guests and bridal party were expressing concern. For instance, my MOH basically says she's not going to eat any food or anything like that unless we are outside or there is a vaccine. And a lot of family that would be coming from out of state is elderly, so it didn't seem like a good idea to move forward. So now we are planning for something that's completely outside with only about 20 people.

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I am so sorry that happened! That really doesn't seem fair, but that is what I was afraid would happen if we tried to keep our original plan for March. I don't want to get to like February and learn that we can't have the event we planned and be out all of the money for it.

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Oh okay, will you keep the same date or are you pushing the minimony back as well?

You're in NJ...I thought gathering sizes were limited to 25 or less?

What exactly does your contract say?

View Quoted Comment I just looked it up. Apparently general indoor gatherings are limited to 25 people, but weddings are allowed up to 150.


There is a line in our contract that says, “In case of a pandemic, the [hotel name] will allow this booking to be displaced one year from the arrival date with no cancellation fees.” I guess they are thinking we’d have to wait until next Spring to reschedule? I’m not sure.

We are getting married on that day and although things have changed since we booked (buffet to plated dinner) we were having it outside and had inside space as well to use. We are going ahead as planned for that day.