Wedding is off... How to ask for deposits back.

Just let them know that the wedding is off, they don't need details. And I suppose it depends on what the contract says about cancellations but it never hurts to ask, like you said.

Hope everything works out <3

Just be honest with them. Some will return the deposit and others won't.

Call asap and just tell them it's off. I don't think there's any special way you need to say it and chances are it's not the first time they've gotten similar news. Just read over your contracts again so that you make sure you know their policy. Good luck

Deposits are basically a promise to the vendors. I have worked as a wedding planner and have never heard of any venue of vendor giving back the deposit. If you insist on trying, I personally would invent a tearjerker of a story.

You're probably out of luck, but hey, it doesn't hurt to ask. If vendors have already given you layouts or ideas based on the executed contract, they're not likely to return your deposit. After all, they have invested time into your wedding, even if it isn't happening.

Some of your vendors might be willing to return deposits IF they can rebook your wedding date, but that's a big "if". As a florist, the several hundred dollars we receive upon contract execution is non-refundable. By the time we've signed a contract, we've already spent several hours of time with the bride and given her multiple ideas, done pricing inquiries, etc. Everyone has to be compensated for their time.

A few places we have deposits at you can get all OR partial deposits by a certain amount of time. So yes, in some cases you CAN get deposits back.

I had to pull out of my venue because they 1) started construction on the ceremony and reception areas without telling us (which were the reasons we picked the place gosh darn it!) and 2) they fired the coordinator that we were working with there and hired a crazy lady who yelled at me on the phone when I asked her why no one was returning my e-mails...any ways... I got lucky and the Manager sympathized for me saying I wasn't the only person unsatisfied. I called several times and the owners were always "out of town" so he figured it out and got my deposit back for me. I hope you have the same luck!

Does not hurt to ask...hope everything works out for the best for you.

If you are calling it off because of a decision you've made (as opposed to them changing the conditions/rooms/personnel), the odds are your deposits are dictated by your contract. As Centerpiece noted, by the time I have a contract with a couple, I've spent a considerable amount of time with them (plus the fixed costs of marketing,etc).

Just call everyone and ask what the policy is, if it's not clear from your contracts.

Best of luck to you; I know it's a hard decision to make, but better now than later.

Like other said, there isn't a "best way" to ask other than being assertive but non-demanding. Since your contracts probably state that the deposit is non-refundable, there is a chance that they won't refund it to you, but all you can do is ask.

Just tell them you need to cancel the wedding and ask if there is any chance of getting some of your deposit back.

Sorry to hear this.

We moved our wedding location to be closer to home. A couple vendors refunded a portion of the money. Others (our venue included), gave money back, so long as they rebook the date. You may suggest that as an option, if they don't want to refund all the money.

But even if you don't get money back, it's still a lot cheaper than divorce. Good luck!

I know it might be weird but maybe they can give you credits towards using them again in the future? I'd prefer that as to losing my thousands in deposits.

I know my contracts all clearly state no refunds on the deposits, BUT if your honest and really humble about it they might change their minds!

Thanks for all the helpful feedback. So far it's not that bad. The deposit I put on the dress is just a lose. Flowers and caterer I had checks to send this week but were not put in the mail yet. Yay. Photographer is going to do pictures of me and my son so that's about an even Amt. The DJ said no refunds but luckily I had only given him 100. My venue is the biggie she was super nice and said someone was interested in my date and she contacted them if they book she will send me the deposit back. I'm not upset at all I knew most would be no, but I look at it as I'm not loosing as much as I would have been down the road.

We cancelled our wedding a couple of years ago because we realized that we just weren't ready financially, and we hadda eat our 500 deposit on the venue, but as much as it hurt, we just had to keep on moving since we couldn't do anything about it. Glad that it all worked out for you for the most part and hope everything else is ok! ^.^

My MIL had to cancel the vendors for her son (my fiance's brother)'s wedding when they split up last month. I don't know how she was able to do it, but she ended up getting the deposit back for the hall. She also was able to cancel their honeymoon reservation to Catalina but she was assessed a fee. Funny story is that they are back together and the wedding is on for December. Glad you were able to change to photo shoot to you and your son. I really hope you get your venue deposit back!

Sounds like you went into it all it with the right attitude. You let them know and some would be able to accommodate, some would not. Glad you are happier now!

We lost all of ours, felt like a slap in the face as we worked so hard to save for it, total lost so far 4000 :-(

Check into local laws, our county has one that lets you cancel and receive all deposits on venue back up to the 6 month point (except maybe $100 or 200)

From what I've heard it is still a struggle for couples who cancel tho!

Tiffany, kudos to you for having such a great and mature attitude. Making up stories and lying benefits nobody. I applaud you for being such an up-right individual. It's a rare quality these days. All the best.

In 2010 I called my wedding off because my father passed away and I didn't want that sad memory and the memory of my wedding at the same time. If your just gonna postpone it for awhile they can hold your deposit and put it towards another event. I would suggest going over all your contracts first. That's why I hate playing stuff so far in advance lol girl I have anxiety when it comes to this stuff. I hope everything works out well