Wedding on 3/21/2020 Vendors not being cooperative with refunds

It depends on your contracts you signed with your vendors. They usually state how much they keep if the event is cancelled.

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I certainly understand that but this is an unusual circumstance. It’s not like we cancelled the government was not allowing gatherings.

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I also understand your frustration and would feel the same way but vendors are usually small business that probably already spent the money you gave them on necessities to keep them running and families fed. Did the photographer give you an option to reschedule?

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It was a photographer.....we do not want to reschedule. We had a small ceremony on that day. Had to proceed as the flowers were already purchased and that $5k would have been lost as well. I guess I’m just disappointed in vendors not being more understanding due to the circumstances.

I think it’s ok to be disappointed but unless your contract specifically included a refund in case of an “act of god” or other extenuating circumstances causing cancellations, you’ll have no legal recourse for getting your money back and you could be sued by the photographer if you dispute the charge.

I had to reschedule my wedding and I totally understand them not refunding. You agreed to their services and they are offering to reschedule with you. It's not their fault just as much as it isn't your fault. What? Did the virus make u suddenly not want to get married? I am in this sticky situation with u too but asking for my money back is ridiculous. We are still going to get married...

I understand being disappointed but I also understand the photographer not giving a full refund. If you postponed that be one thing, but you cancelled. They have to make a living too. Really, giving you the 50% refund is really nice and generous IMO

I'm so sorry Elizabeth, and I definitely understand how disappointing this is. Across the board we've heard that wedding vendors have been really flexible and accommodating with rescheduling your wedding plans, but most vendors do not have the financial ability to completely refund all deposits for cancellations.

It stinks for everyone right now, but it's also why reviewing your contract terms are so important! Contracts protect you the client from being taken advantage of, but they also protect businesses against unpredictable crises like this one. Before you take any other steps I'd review your contract terms.

I also feel like there's a lot more flexibility in how you could use your photographer! Can you use the 50% nonrefundable payment to schedule to do a newlywed shoot or engagement photos? Could you use some of that money on large prints or a photo album? The best approach will be working with your vendors to see how you can come up with a best solution together!

That stinks and I would be disappointed too did they say if you had postponed they’d be ok with it and not charge anything else? Otherwise I do agree with what the other PPs are saying but I also do wish there could have been some sort of middle for you

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Thanks for listening

I totally understand where you are coming from. Most vendors didn't want to give us anything back either. I found it discouraging considering the wedding cannot take place on the contracted day. We also don't have the opportunity to postpone as my now husband (we practically eloped) is deploying soon, and we have no idea when this will be over. It is frustrating to see vendors big and small hoard your hard earned money. Yes, they may be willing to work with you again, but not all vendors may be able to make it on the same day. In some cases, like mine, you may not be able to plan a celebration wedding/reception for upwards of a year or more. That gets scary in itself. Is a vendor really going to want to perform a service two years later after the original date has come and gone? Ehhhh I'm not so sure I'd trust them. I also don't think it is appropriate to guilt brides into feeling sorry for the small business owner. Businesses come with tough times and these businesses are not the only ones losing out financially or on precious moment in life. You are losing our dream day and you have every right to be upset right now and not want to accept that your money may be gone. If every vendor takes a large chunk of money then that may leave you with not much left, in turn making you give up portions of a day that was supposed to be the "best day of your life." So don't feel bad thinking poorly about this situation. While we can practice empathy for others, that doesn't mean we have to put their needs above yours. You have a family just like your vendors do and their needs are no greater than your own.

View Quoted Comment Well said! Best wishes to you!

I am having the same problem. I had to cancel March 17 for our wedding March 29 bc of the outbreak and government directive of events less than 10 only. My photographer won't even return my calls or texts or emails. I paid them alot of money 4500 and no services were rendered. I would get the refund first then dispute the rest on your credit card. Mine was paid by check so I may have to get a lawyer if they don't call me back to resolve the issue. Good luck.

Maybe they would allow you to use it as a credit towards family photos or anniversary pictures since they won't refund?

What does your contract say? All of our contracts say deposits can be applied towards a future date but are not refundable, even due to an "act of god" which pretty much covers everything and anything that could possibly happen. This is pretty standard, and I'd be surprised if your wedding vendor contracts didn't have similar language.

Unless explicitly stated in your contract that cancelations were refundable at all (they usually aren't, for any reason), your photographer is honestly being generous by refunding you anything. The decision to have a small ceremony without a photographer instead of postponing was entirely yours, and your photographer still has to buy groceries, pay bills, put money towards their website and photo equipment and software, etc regardless of the current world situation.

If you dispute the credit card payment, your credit card company will ask both you and the photographer for evidence towards the claim. If there is a signed contract that works in the photographer's favor, not only will you not get any additional refund, but it will hurt your credit. Unless the contract states you should get in excess of a 50% refund for services canceled within that 5 day timeframe, I would be grateful for the refund you have received and not pursue this any further. Yes it's disappointing, but this situation sucks for everyone, including all the wedding vendors that rely on weddings as their livelihood.

Also I'm really sorry you couldn't have the wedding you dreamed of. Covid-19 is just awful! As others have suggested maybe you can ask the photographer about using your deposit as a credit for services, and have the photographer take some family photos or portraits of you and your spouse in your wedding attire.

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This is a good idea. In the event we have to cancel our wedding we will likely ask our vendors if we can use the deposits we have paid as credit towards other services. We understand how the economic impact will hit them, and while we are absolutely crushed about possibly having to change our wedding plans, we'd still like to be able to support our community and not feel like we are just throwing away thousands of dollars worth of deposits.