Canceled Wedding

I've heard it has happened and it finally happened to me.

Someone called off the wedding 3 days before they were to walk down the aisle. My heart sank, my stomach turned and my jaw dropped! Is this some kind of sick joke? I wish.

After 2 days of calling vendors and relaying the sad news we were able to recover some monies. ONLY because I LOVE my vendors and apparently after this fiasco, they love me.

The caterers quickly called their food distributors to stop their orders and were able to cancel a few. Some were already ordered and paid for so we donated the food to a local church. Hopefully the couple will ask their tax person if they can write it off as a donation.

The florist took the flowers that had already arrived and sold them at the local Farmer's market. We recovered partial funds. The rest of the florals were donated to a local hospital that will hopefully brighten someones day.

The minister, limo driver, babysitters, lighting company & generators generously gave them their full refund.

The photographer, hair & makeup artists both said they did not need to receive the balance due.

I wish I could do more to help ease the pain financially and am happy to say that we are returning 20%.

The rental company also gave back over 20%.

None of these vendors needed to return the funds, the date was booked, contract signed and event date staffed. But because they are so kind & generous and passionately love what they do they all pulled together and generously gave back.

Some vendors weren't able to give any back, some gave the full refund while others gave partial. We were able to recover over 50% of their final balances due the week of the wedding.

This doesn't repair the ones that are left broken hearted. I say, it's cheaper than a divorce (mentally, physically, financially & emotionally), however that doesn't heal the hurting...not yet any way.