Non-refundable Deposit...

To be clear and simple, I asked for the refund as a long shot because I felt that I had been lied to. At this point I am letting it go. Thanks all!

Let it go. $200 is nothing. Block her email address. Leave a nasty review somewhere. And let that be the end of it.

Are people even reading what I'm writing? I asked for it because I was told things were included only to book and then have them suddenly not included. Given the nature of the way weddings are put together out there (planned by a significant number of people from out of town) the contract was not detailed for me to see it before booking. It's hardly a real contact, more like a policy.

And to add for the people saying $200 is nothing, maybe it's nothing for you but for others it is. So please hold the judgement on what is deemed a lot or a little. Yes, I'm fortunate that it's not 2k or even 20k but it's still money I worked hard for.

Based on the newly added details of the date still being shown as "booked", I'd send one final email that says the following:

"Dear Coordinator, please note this email is to confirm that my original booking of your venue for X date is terminated, and that I am no longer under any contract with you per previous emails to you regarding why I was terminating said contract. Please do not continue to send me emails or any other communications regarding booking at your venue.

Again, I am confirming that I am no longer reserving X date for my event. Please remove me from your calendar if you have not done so already."

Don't say anything about the refund. Non-refundable means exactly that. You are not entitled to it, nor is it up to you to determine whether it was of detriment to the venue. Let it go.

Hey Date Twin! When you send her the final email I would forward the initial correspondence, from June, when you originally cancelled your booking there. Just in case she tries to say you never told here it is there in writing. I agree with PP's who have said just to let it ride. It stinks that you had to find another venue due to feeling mislead but hopefully the new one is awesome! 31 days!

In the world of venue deposits $200 is the lowest I've ever heard. Thats all i am saying.

@OG Kathryn, it absolutely is. And certainly a fraction of the deposit I paid for the new venue which solidified just how shady the first one was. But for other people to imply that $200 is throwaway money is ridiculous.

Majority, if not all, deposits are non-refundable. Some have instances where if they book another event on that particular day, they will give you a full or partial refund. I cancelled my first venue and signed with another. I tried to get my money back because I didn't want to be out $2,000, but not to my surprise, I was told I couldn't get it back. Regardless of the reason, non-refundable is non-refundable. I wouldn't get irate over $200. I would just add it to the cost of my wedding and move on with my life. Mark the emails as spam or reply to her telling her you understand that you are not entitled to your deposit back and you will not be moving forward with booking another wedding at their venue. Easy peasy

Let it go.

Did you read the contract that you signed? Typically it clearly states that your deposit won't be returned, and will be applied towards the final venue cost. I did the same thing a few months ago, and hastily booked a venue that I quickly changed my mind on. I lost my deposit (willingly,) however, she texted me last week and told me that if she could rebook the date, she will refund it (very nice). Maybe offer it like that? See if you can help her rebook the date? That is the point of a security deposit. So that people don't just play around with you and book dates, then never follow through.

$200 deposit? That's very fortunate. Mine was $2000. It's very late for you to be asking for a refund and I'm sure in your contract it likely states that there are no refunds on deposits. You booking somewhere else just lost that venue a lot of money because there's not enough time for them to book another wedding, so I would be very understanding of them keeping your deposit when you kinda screwed them over.

Check your original contract. Ours said that our deposit is nonrefundable and it was a lot more than a couple hundred dollars. Be thankful that is all you lost, it could be a lot worse! Glad to hear you found a venue you are much happier with. Even though it isn't ideal to be out a couple hundred dollars, you at least know you will get the wedding you want now.

Yeah, the deposit really isn't that big of a deal. Just thought I would get some more opinions on that and it confirmed that I should just let it go so thank you all! But Alforev, I didn't exactly screw them over which you would know if you had bothered to read the thread. I canceled beginning of June, not a month out and had only canceleb after they continued to add on charges that were supposed to be included, so really who screwed who here? I'm going to email the coordinator to confirm that it's canceled and not mention a word about the deposit.