I'm so dumb, didn't sign a contract with caterer. Gave a small deposit, now need to cancel.

I wouldn't worry at all. No contract, no problems in this case.

I have to say i think shes right. Its something I worry about while planning my own wedding. But to actual contract no worries. And with some places you may get the money back just do it as soon as possible.

You’re not dumb. You got excited and jumped the gun. It happens. I wouldn’t text. I would call and then follow up with an email to confirm what was discussed over the phone. That way there is a paper trail. Don’t stress until you know for sure that they are going to give you a hard time.

For me you are in the clean. No contract = No rules. You might even get your deposit back. Phone them and send a follow-up message. Try not to stress.

View Quoted Comment I agree with this 100%. Texting is not the way to handle this. Fortunately, you learned s good lesson from this experience and it may only cost you $50.

Agreed, I wouldn't worry. A text message is not a contact and I dont see how they could possibly hold you to it. You didn't sign off on a cancellation policy or anything like that. Definitely just give them a call and let them know. It's far enough in advance it shouldn't be a problem. Good learning experience for going forward but don't beat yourself up about it Its easy to get excited and jump the gun, especially when you're still sorting through all the vendors and plans.

I would say if you did not sign a contract then you are just fine. Just call them or go in person to cancel let them know their services are no longer needed.

You have plenty of time. And that’s a tiny deposit. Even my deposit was more than that. I wouldn’t worry about it so much. You probably won’t get the money back, however no contract, no problem.

View Quoted Comment So agree with Jane, you didn't have a legit contract, so it would be wrong on their half to have rules. However I'm not sure you'll get your deposit, but I'd definitely phone them to see what they say.

People cancel on caters and venues all the time, your not the first one to "jump the gun" then cancel. Try not to stress until you really need to. Good luck

Yeah, this is sort of a wash. You didn’t sign a contract so there is no contract. You’ll probably lose the 50$ tho

You're worried about nothing... You will lose your $50 deposit but with no contract signed you're ok. You made a deposit for them to hold the date - that's your $50... but there was no further discussion of logistics or specifics so there's no verbal contract they could hold you to for the balance.

In this case I’d say it actually works in your favor that you didn’t sign a contract and it’s THEIR bad for not getting a contract with you! Just give them a call, let them know your plans have changed but that you do not expect your deposit back and go from there.
You are far enough out and if it is a food truck I doubt they will even think twice about just removing you from their calendar!

I agree with PP. No contract = no fault. Yes you will loose your $50 but they can not force you to pay any more or to use their services. That said I would let them know ASAP as a professional curtesy.

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I didn't even think about calling instead, and the email is a good idea. Thanks. I did get excited, we were going to do something easy at the park and once I got my caterer all I needed was a cake and all done :-)

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I'm going to call them a little later today, that way they still have about 10 months to fill that date.

Not legal advice but education/FYI: An oral contract is a contract. A text message absolutely is a contract. A contract is merely an agreement between parties to do something in exchange for something else. As long as you hired them after June 2018, you have a contract. B/c it's not written, it may be harder for them to enforce a cancellation policy BUT you still need to cancel. Given how far out you are this shouldn't be a problem and again they shouldn't try to make you pay the full amount, but yes, you had a contract with them.

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Yeah, not sure why this gave me so much stress, when usually I'm fine communicating with people about cancellations and the like. Thanks for the luck.

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Yeah, I dove head-first into wedding planning. Once FH and I started learning the price of things, we kind of panicked and decided on having the park reception. Seemed easier and way less money. Now that we have done more research and since joining this community, it's doesn't seem so impossible to have our dream wedding on our budget. Hence the change in caterer and plans in general.

I would not worry too much about it. At least you are only out $50.

First of all, you are not dumb. Second, no contract, no problemo! I would let them keep the small deposit as small token.