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Beginner October 2020

Cancel Destination Wedding

Meg, on July 20, 2020 at 12:22 AM Posted in Community Conversations 0 13

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Hi Brides!
We have decided to cancel our destination wedding in Florida instead of postponing the date. It’s been such a hard decision but COVID doesn’t seem to be getting any better and both our families don’t feel comfortable traveling. Has anyone else made this decision and if so, did your vendors refund you the deposits ? We are hopeful we will get a full refund from the money we’ve paid for our venue, and I am doubtful that the deposits I’ve made to our vendors will give a refund. This whole situation sucks but we would just rather get married here wherever we can and just be done with it!

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13 Comments

Latest activity by Meg, on July 27, 2020 at 10:10 AM

Savvy October 2021
Brenda · on July 20, 2020 at 12:33 AM
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I hope you get most of your deposit money back. Just go back to your contracts and see what’s on them. Mine explicitly said deposits are non refundable if you cancel the wedding. This pandemic was totally unprecedented and the event/wedding industry has lost so much money that I don’t think they’ll be able to give it back even if they wanted to. Most of them have already spend the money, that’s pretty much how their businesses work. It never hurts to ask. Best of luck!
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Beginner October 2020
Meg · on July 20, 2020 at 7:40 AM
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Ugh that’s what I’m thinking too. Thanks Brenda!
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Master November 2022
Chrysta · on July 20, 2020 at 7:46 AM
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None of my vendors are giving deposit refunds- they are just allowing the deposits to be transferred to a rescheduled date. I would check your contract and see if it says whether or not your deposit is refundable. Typically, they are not. Unfortunately, this pandemic has hit everybody really hard, and even if they wanted to give your deposit back under the circumstances, most vendors will not be able to afford to 🙁
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Master October 2021
Sexypoodle · on July 20, 2020 at 10:32 AM
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Sorry to hear that. It always sucks a little extra when I see another 10/10/20 bride. We postponed to October 2021, so all of our deposits transferred. However, deposits are usually nonrefundable. So you might be out that money unless your vendors are very generous.
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WeddingWire Administrator October 2016
Lynnie · on July 21, 2020 at 5:52 PM
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I'm so sorry Meg. That's such a hard decision to make, but everyone has to done what's best for themselves right now! ❤️
I'd definitely start reading through your original contract carefully to see if there is a cancellation clause and what deposits might be non-refundable!
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Expert January 2021
Katie · on July 22, 2020 at 12:32 AM
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I had to cancel my destination wedding and fortunately my vendors were very understanding. The venue is issuing a refund for my deposit and photographer returned 50% of our deposit (we can always use the remainder if we make our way out there, it wasn’t a huge loss). Hopefully they understand it isn’t safe to travel - especially Florida!
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Beginner October 2020
Meg · on July 22, 2020 at 6:20 AM
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I asked all of my vendors if they would be willing to refund me half of my deposit. I haven’t received a response from anyone besides the photographer who I paid $600 in a deposit too and she said there is no refund possible as that was the amount needed to secure my date. My date is 10/10 and I am sure with the amount of notice I’ve given they can rebook. Ugh I’m so frustrated!
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Expert March 2021
Marcia · on July 22, 2020 at 7:09 AM
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This absolutely sucks for everyone involved! But I wouldn't assume they can rebook. People usually book their photographers first, and also nobody wants to get married this year anymore. This is the bummer about deposits
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Beginner October 2020
Meg · on July 22, 2020 at 7:13 AM
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A lot of my friends on social media are still getting married in Florida. Covid hasn’t really affected people’s ability to get married locally, from what I’ve seen on my social media. The whole situation sucks. That for sure! I hope she enjoys my $600.
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Savvy April 2020
stephanie · on July 26, 2020 at 12:18 PM
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We are starting the cancellation of our already postponed wedding. The venue is up in the air. Since they already postponed and cannot place us in 2021 due to being booked already, we are hopeful! 2 vendors are refunding us completely. Our photographer we are going to use for a photo shoot (plus she’s been so amazing and did some other photos) so we aren’t asking for anything back. Just worried about the florist. It depends on the vendors. Really. No harm in asking!
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Beginner October 2020
Meg · on July 26, 2020 at 12:24 PM
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There is only one vendor that has refused to refund me, which is the videographer. I have only asked for 50% of my deposit back and he refuses. So I wrote my experience on google and social media and let karma take care of him. Grateful for the other businesses that have given me at least half back! We are still waiting on the venue, but I am optimistic they will be refunding us!
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Just Said Yes December 2020
Danielle · on July 26, 2020 at 10:41 PM
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I’m in a similar situation. Our wedding date is supposed to be 12/12/20 in Southern California. It’s a destination wedding and all of our guests would be traveling to attend. I feel like I need to cancel soon for our guests to figure out their travel arrangements. Unfortunately, all the vendors I spoke to would not refund our deposits but would only transfer them to a new date.
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Beginner October 2020
Meg · on July 27, 2020 at 10:10 AM
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It’s seriously robbery to keep someone’s money when services can’t be rendered. Not like any of us signed the contract agreeing to a non-refundable deposit.
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