Non-refundable Deposit???

[mkdela]

Here is our dilemma, both our ceremony site (Casa Magna Marriott) and our proposed reception site (Gran Melia Cancun) are requiring non-refundable deposits. We already put one down at the Marriott because it wasn't that expensive since we're only doing the ceremony there. But the Gran Melia is asking us for a LARGE deposit upon signing the contract (the wedding is still over 9 months away), and it is nonrefundable. Is this normal?? Have other people had to put down nonrefundable deposits?? We don't want to sign a contract with this provision in it but they have told us it was their policy. I thought it may be standard, since it was the Marriott's policy, too. Has anyone gotten around this?? We don't mind putting the money down, but if there is a hurricane and the resort gets destroyed, we want our money back.

Thanks in advance!

-Kathleen

[LCBride2007]

I had to put a deposit down to hold my date, but it's not at a resoort. I would guess this is common - I mean, otherwise people would be able to change their date all the time w/o penalty! But not sure what amt. is normal.

[Christine]

hmm my parents just paid my site fees but I don't remember what was actually required as a deposit, I think we had to pay the full amount (but it wasn't that much at all, less than $1500)

[amyh]

We had to pay the full location fee as a deposit for our reception at the Mayan. (we still have the dinner, corkage fee, fireworks, etc) uggh, what have we gotten ourselves into

[Lian Marie]

Yes, it's pretty normal for locations to ask for a non-refundable deposit and most contracts contain a clause that states they are not responsible for various things including acts of god. If for some reason you have to cancel or move your date some places may work with you and allow you to apply you already paid deposit but it's not a guarantee.

 

There actually does exist Wedding Insurance if you are really worried. I'm not sure how much it costs and the rules pertaining to Destination Weddings but you can look at Wedding Cancellation and Liability Insurance online provided by WedSafe for more info!

 

- L

[evonut]

I'm booked with Riu Palace Maya Rivera, didn't put any deposit down but there is a $250 cancellation fee.

[MikkiStreak]

I think some of it depends on whether the locations are all-inclusive resorts or not. I think a lot of the AI resorts don't require a huge deposit on the wedding, but they usually do for reserving a room block. When we were looking at various AI resorts, they usually wanted 50% of the wedding package you chose (without the optional items calculated) within x amount of days of booking the wedding date or you'd pay a fee for cancelling within x amount of days of the wedding date.

 

I think it's differente for non-AI resorts tho... I get the impression they operate more like normal hotel/banquet facilities do with larger deposits upon signing contracts...