157: What Are Wedding Deposits For And Are They Refundable?

Have you seen any TikToks about how wedding vendors have ripped off unsuspecting and innocent engaged couples by taking their deposit and then ghosting them, never to be seen again? While some of those stories are true, in my experience in hospitality, events and weddings, they are super, SUPER rare.What many couples are most surprised about is the payment of the booking fee, deposit or retainer payment in the first place:What does a deposit payment actually cover? How much of a percentage of the total cost or a flat fee is standard for the wedding industry?Is a wedding vendor deposit ever refundable?These are questions that I get asked several times a week, and perhaps some of the most frustrating for couples who don’t understand how the majority of professional wedding vendors work and operate their business to protect you and them. RESOURCESConsumer Protection Agency WebsitesAustralia: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC): https://www.accc.gov.au​USA: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/the-bureau/USA: Department of Justice - Consumer Protection Branch:https://www.justice.gov/archives/civil/consumer-protection-branch​UK: Consumer Protection Bureau: https://www.consumerprotectionbureau.co.uk​Canada: Office of Consumer Affairs: http://www.consumer.ic.gc.caUnbridely Suppliers who contributed: Terresia from Lyons Den CakesBetty from The Bake SpaceChelsea from Easy As EventsAlison from Alison Pickel CelebrantSam from Amuse Event Lighting and AVPete from Him & Her MusicCarolyn from Sweet Nothings FlowersDax from Tasty Bakes & Wedding CakesHayley from Style To HireSend Unbridely a 90-second audio message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/unbridelypodcast*The Unbridely Podcast is sponsored by its listeners. When you purchase products or services through links on our website or via the podcast, we may earn an affiliate commission.*------This episode of the Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning Podcast is brought to you by WedSites.com, Unbridely's recommended all-in-one wedding website builder, guest management platform & wedding planning tool.Visit WedSites.com to get started on your FREE wedding website and use code UNBRIDELYPOD to get 10% off any of their paid plans.-----Unbridely acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Support the showFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unbridely/or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unbridelyEmail the Unbridely Podcast:[email protected]