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Nerissa
Dedicated June 2020

Wedding Planning Lesson Learned

Nerissa, on March 18, 2020 at 6:29 PM Posted in Community Conversations 0 13
We just cancelled our 4/18 wedding due to COVID-19. In the planning process we paid many of our vendors up front in full so we wouldn’t have to hassle with final payments the day of. Now some of them can’t afford to refund us. Big lesson learned as we start the process over for a local wedding.

13 Comments

Latest activity by Nerissa, on March 21, 2020 at 2:26 PM
  • Cyndy
    Master May 2019
    Cyndy ·
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    Wow I’m sorry to hear that. It’s definitely a good lesson for future brides. Good luck with your new plan.
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  • Jennifer
    Super March 2020
    Jennifer ·
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    This is exactly why I pulled out now. I was so afraid that vendors are probably not in a good place financially and could go out of business while we try to find new dates, and we continue through a pandemic. I didn't trust them to stay in business. I know that sounds awful but we couldn't take the risk. I am so sorry this happened to you. Did you pay on a credit card? You could try to dispute it.
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  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
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    Best of luck on your new planning journey. Hope it works out
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  • Nerissa
    Dedicated June 2020
    Nerissa ·
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    Several have been very genuine about their desire to refund so I’ll hold off on disputes
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  • Jennifer
    Super March 2020
    Jennifer ·
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    Well that is a positive. Out of seven vendors only two have been kind enough to do that for me. The others have told me that deposits made cannot be refunded which is frustrating because our contracted date cannot happen due to travel bans and state restrictions. While these restrictions are recommendations within some state or federal governments, the consumer has a right to services that are not hazardous, risky or can cause harm. I believe a deadly Pandemic would fall into this. I am shocked that so many vendors are holding this over their clients heads. Just don't let them take you for everything unless you know for a fact that they will provide services at a later date.
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  • Nefetera
    VIP March 2015
    Nefetera ·
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    Im happy you finally was able to settle a new dafe. Thats so unfair that this has happened overall and this impact has made an heavy enforcement in our lives. Happy planning and enjoy...time is going to go by so fast
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  • Anne Marie
    Beginner March 2021
    Anne Marie ·
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    I didn’t pay in full but I made sure all my vendors except the one that was doing refunds of the deposit were free for the new date. They have us the $1000 back right away and I used half of that to pay my new videographer’s deposit.
    Upset to cancel our 4/18 wedding and sad ours is now December but hopefully it’s enough time for the virus to go away
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  • Nerissa
    Dedicated June 2020
    Nerissa ·
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    Our original date was for a destination wedding in Puerto Rico. We just don’t have it in us to plan that all over again. I did successfully cancel my contract with the hotel and they are refunding all deposits. We are so relieved to get that money back to put towards our plans for a local wedding. Our entire state is now on shelter in place order so not sure how soon we can plan for - hoping August.
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  • Nerissa
    Dedicated June 2020
    Nerissa ·
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    Hit the first kink. The makeup artist - who sent me a blank contract that didn’t even have the info SHE was supposed to fill in - is trying to stiff me saying she has a no refunds policy. Clearly that wasn’t in her contract either. 🙄 Luckily I paid her via Venmo but added the premium to be able to get their support for refunds.
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  • Jennifer
    Super March 2020
    Jennifer ·
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    I think vendors should be giving deposits back even with a non-refundable policy. People can't make it to weddings even if they wanted to. It is pretty awful that they are holding this over our heads. Plus, it would be hard to get all vendors on the same day. It isn't like their books wont fill right up after this. Even weekdays may begin to fill up. Financially, things may be tough for awhile but that will be for all Americans. Not just wedding vendors. So there is no need to try to take us for every penny.
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  • Nerissa
    Dedicated June 2020
    Nerissa ·
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    Exactly! And honestly, I wouldn't be mad if she wanted to keep the deposit. I truly do feel for all the small business owners out there. I told her that rescheduling is not an option, but she keeps pressing me to. I will give her one chance to be reasonable and then I'm contacting my bank/Venmo

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  • Jennifer
    Super March 2020
    Jennifer ·
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    I feel bad for them too. I just hate hearing stories like your where you can't get anything back because they already spent the money. That money shouldn't be spent until they service is complete. They are putting themselves in a bigger financial predicament than you wanting a deposit back.
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  • Nerissa
    Dedicated June 2020
    Nerissa ·
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    I completely agree! Well I have a corona clause one of my vendors at work shared. I plan on insisting on this for our new wedding. All that said, I am SUPER GRATEFUL the hotel returned our deposits!! That’s almost 20K!!
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