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Taylor
Just Said Yes July 2020

Venue Refusing to Refund Deposit

Taylor, on April 27, 2020 at 6:02 PM Posted in Community Conversations 0 9
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I was supposed to have a large outdoor wedding in Summer of 2020. Of course with Covid-19 it will not be safe or legal to have the wedding. When I asked if the venue could hold a secondary date later in the year since odds were the summer wedding couldn't happen they said they couldn't do that. I would also like to point out the next available date was during winter, at an outdoor venue, at a location where the high would be 40 degrees. When I asked for a refund of the deposit I was told "we are a business and can't do that". I was also told "no one in the industry was refunding deposits" NOT TRUE. My photographer and hair/makeup artist were very understanding and refunded my full deposit. I also contact a wedding a planner for elopements and asked of they were refunding deposits if Covid-19 prevented the wedding from happening as planned. They also said they were refunding deposits. It was very obvious they had sent the same email to me and other brides. I received the email almost immediately and it was very generic. The state I'm located in has extended the stay at home order through May and our governor has released a plan for reopening. In this plan it states there are to be no large gatherings for foreseeable future.


I'm debating hiring a lawyer to write up a letter threatening to sue in small claims court. Is anyone else having this problem?

9 Comments

Latest activity by Sarah, on April 28, 2020 at 11:42 AM
  • Caytlyn
    Legend November 2019
    Caytlyn ·
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    Have you referenced your contract? Paying for a lawyer will likely just waste more of your money since deposits are typically nonrefundable.
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  • Taylor
    Just Said Yes July 2020
    Taylor ·
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    Yes I have read my contract. Is it non-refundable if it is due to an "Act of God" which in the contract is defined as nature. According to my state law what is considered an Act of God must be defined in the contract. Per previous case law a virus is not an act of god.
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  • Autumn
    Devoted July 2020
    Autumn ·
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    Have you considered having the wedding just with a limited guest list?

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  • Autumn
    Devoted July 2020
    Autumn ·
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    Sadly if the language of your contract is blatant that deposits are nonrefundable, that may just be the case Smiley sad

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  • Taylor
    Just Said Yes July 2020
    Taylor ·
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    Our state is currently limiting gatherings to 5 people. Also the venue is closed as it is a "nonessential" business.

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  • Autumn
    Devoted July 2020
    Autumn ·
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    Oh yes if the venue can not offer their services than 100% they owe you that deposit! They may be waiting a bit to make that call, seeing if they'll be able to open up or not

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  • A
    Beginner August 2020
    Alex ·
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    What state are you in? They will probably have to give you another date of your choice at some point. Are they just telling you no right now because you are still 2-3 months out?


    If you contracted for a certain number of guests and they cant fulfill that, I dont know how they can justify not working with you.
    I would also say they should absolutely have to refund you if they end up not being able to meet your guest count and you dont want to pick a new date.
    To me it sounds like they are dragging you along because there is still time for things to change. That's too bad, but many venues arent offering refunds if there is still 2+ months away from the wedding. Most are working to give a comparable 2021 date.
    I would say as your date gets closer they will change their tune, but I know it's stressful and you dont want to be in limbo for a bunch more weeks
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  • Anna
    Super August 2020
    Anna ·
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    Our venue is not offering refunds either.

    Our options are:

    1) postpone now and pick a date within 12 months and pay 2021 pricing
    2) wait for the venue to make the call and then keep current contract pricing and pick a date in 2021

    3) cancel altogether and get a credit to use at the venue within 12 months... which is dumb.

    Our deposit was $14,000. Not getting a refund makes me feel sick. My fiancé has consulted a lawyer in case it comes down to it- waiting to hear back from them. We are going with option #2 right now but we worry there won't be any feasible dates left by the time the venue makes the call. In that case we want to fight for a refund to book at a different place. Don't want to wait to 2022.

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  • Sarah
    Beginner July 2020
    Sarah ·
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    If they cant refund you they should be able to give you another date.

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