Are they entitled to the deposit back? Wedding photographer refusing!

[WeddingPhotoHelp]

Posting for a friend!

She was due to get married last earlier this year but for obvious reasons the wedding was postponed. The Original date was moved to early next year. The date was then changed again (because with the current restrictions it wouldn’t be able to go ahead as planned) to next autumn. However, the photographer cannot do the new date as they are already booked.

She paid a £200 deposit which they are now refusing to refund. Is she entitled to her money back? They have said that they have lost a lot of money this year and cannot afford to give her the deposit back. They have stated that it isn’t a deposit for a certain date, it is a retainer for their services and as she has now moved the date they do not have to give it her back.

So just thought I’d check on here if anyone knows of the legalities?

Thanks a lot!

Oh and she paid via PayPal but via family and friends

I imagine this is going to be fairly complicated but I would of thought she should be due her deposit back as she's not cancelling the service she put a deposit down for. She will probably be in for a battle over it though. I'm not an expert and it's just opinion, I hope she gets her money back.

What were the terms and conditions?

Technically no. I work in a job that involves being hired to attend events and did refund all my deposits as given the unusual circumstances it seems the right thing to do but offering an alternative date is also an option. As they can't attend your rearranged date they don't have to refund the deposit.

Would it have been possible for a wedding to go ahead on the second date (not UK base)? I know the numbers may have been limited etc but could a wedding could have gone ahead? If so them the photographer probably argue that they chose to cancel.

@purplecorkheart is correct. If the gov had banned weddings at the time the photographer last agreed then she should get her money back but if not then your friend has simply changed her mind so she will lose her deposit.

I'd say they wouldn't be entitled to it? They presumably chose the new date without checking with the photographer that they were available?

They surely must have considered that lots of weddings have been rearranged and more couples than normal will be fighting for the same dates for venues and all suppliers

She has no hope of getting money back as she paid family & friends !

Can she not pick another date that they can do ? Generally deposits are non refundable

Ok thanks everyone, that’s exactly what I thought. I’ll let her know!