No Cash, No Checks
All deposits should be made via credit card, so the credit card company can lobby on your behalf. Never wire funds. That’s true when it comes to paying any final balances, too. Then if, say, the baker who is supposed to create you a wedding cake goes out of business days before the wedding or the florist forgets to bring flowers to your reception, you don’t have to hassle with the small business owner. If they refuse to reimburse your money or stop picking up their phone, credit card companies can help you fight.
Larger hotel chains, like Marriott or the Four Seasons Resorts, will typically refund any deposits in a disaster, but smaller businesses may not have funds to recoup. “If you book at a smaller hotel or bed-and-breakfast and they’re wiped out, whatever deposit you wired them is going to be very difficult to get back,” Ms. Gregoli said.
Insure Yourself
Weddings today can be as expensive as a car, sometimes even more, so protect your investment. Purchase wedding insurance. It isn’t very expensive, Ms. Gregoli said, but it may protect against any unexpected events. It starts at about $150 for a basic policy, but rates go up based on such things as location, the number of guests and whether the event is inside or outside in a tent. The total cost of the wedding will also affect the rate: A $10,000 even is going to carry a lower premium than one costing $150,000.
Insurance can offer peace of mind. For example, if the space you booked for your wedding is destroyed by a hurricane or fire, a good insurance policy will cover the costs of rescheduling and reimburse you for any lost deposits. (It will even cover things like losing the rings before the wedding or if a bride’s gown is lost in baggage.)
Find Out Who’s in Charge
If there is an extreme event — an act of terrorism, say, something weather-related, or a fire — don’t rely on hotel wedding planners. Often, the general manager will have clearer answers, Ms. Gregoli said.
