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. 

RESOURCES

Consumer Protection Agency Websites

• Australia: 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.ca

Unbridely Suppliers who contributed: 

Terresia from Lyons Den Cakes

Betty from The Bake Space

Chelsea from Easy As Events

Alison from Alison Pickel Celebrant

Sam from Amuse Event Lighting and AV

Pete from Him & Her Music

Carolyn from Sweet Nothings Flowers

Dax from Tasty Bakes & Wedding Cakes

Hayley from Style To Hire

Send 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.*

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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.