First Cancelation because of Corona Virus

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I agree - your contract is not between you and the venue - this is unprecedented. It really doesn't matter where - it doesn't even have to be a venue. You, as a business, cannot legally operate currently, and they as a customer, cannot have a gathering. I don't think you'd win if it ever went to court. Again, they didn't cancel because they had a choice (which IS the difference IMO). They would not have been able to have this event in NJ or any of the surrounding areas (DE, PA or NY). That's the problem.
Actually again... not true (At least here). Venues are very smart and are saying they’re not canceling either. They’re telling clients either you have to lower your guest count to under 50, as per the actual law, or you have to cancel. So YES, the client is actually cancelling.
 
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My contract states that the $300 I collect at contract signing is non-refundable, and is to hold the date for the client. And if a client cancels inside 90 days of the event, my cancellation fee is 50% of the contracted amount.

Of all the events moving this spring, only 1 of them is talking about actually cancelling. It's a second marriage, and I think they're talking about just doing a small civil service and not doing a wedding at all.

Given the circumstances, I have no intention of enforcing that cancellation policy for a COVID-19 cancellation. But I don't plan on offering a refund of the $300 to hold the date.

All things considered it wasn't a large amount of money, so I'm hoping I don't get push back from anyone there.
 
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My contract states that the $300 I collect at contract signing is non-refundable, and is to hold the date for the client. And if a client cancels inside 90 days of the event, my cancellation fee is 50% of the contracted amount.

Of all the events moving this spring, only 1 of them is talking about actually cancelling. It's a second marriage, and I think they're talking about just doing a small civil service and not doing a wedding at all.

Given the circumstances, I have no intention of enforcing that cancellation policy for a COVID-19 cancellation. But I don't plan on offering a refund of the $300 to hold the date.

All things considered it wasn't a large amount of money, so I'm hoping I don't get push back from anyone there.
This is personally what I’m doing. Not enforcing collection of remaining balance, but telling couples the $300 is either forfeited or applied to a postponement. No one has cancelled outright yet though, not has anyone questioned my policy. If someone actually asked for the $300 I’d probably give it back depending on the situation. I wouldn’t be required to, but I don’t want the negative experience.
 
Just curious as to how you all are handling all those cancellations due to this situation? I like to call it a situation because I believe eventually things will get better and back to normal again. Then what about clients who are postponing their event for a later date? We have one that's postponed. One that I haven't heard from the lady booking us.
 
lol @ going to the last page of a 10 page thread and asking the question discussed throughout...

cc
I'm talking about how they are handling it for survival means. Some have other sources of income to rely on and others this is all they have for income.
 
Actually again... not true (At least here). Venues are very smart and are saying they’re not canceling either. They’re telling clients either you have to lower your guest count to under 50, as per the actual law, or you have to cancel. So YES, the client is actually cancelling.
Technically .. yes, they are canceling .. but again, not by choice. In the eyes of the law, I don't think you'd win if it ever went to court.
 
Not here anymore...the governor (pa) has shut down all non-essential businesses. So you can't legally perform.
Venues are not allowed to be open. Restaurants can do drive thru and pickup only, or delivery. And NONE are allowing the public inside - they bring it to you in your car. IF they are even open.

This IMO falls under 'act of god'?
My april 4 event canceled yesterday, i'm refunding her ( i also do other business with her).
MY april 18 bride paid in full friday, mom paid the venue...she says if she has to do 50 folks she will, not many more than that have RSVPd - some folks are staying home regardless.

The school dance has so far let me hold the deposit with no question of asking for it back - they will at some point have the dance. Will people be freaky when all together in a big group after weeks of isolation? LOL

That school is closed thru april 14 at this point.

Actually again... not true (At least here). Venues are very smart and are saying they’re not canceling either. They’re telling clients either you have to lower your guest count to under 50, as per the actual law, or you have to cancel. So YES, the client is actually cancelling.
 
Not here anymore...the governor (pa) has shut down all non-essential businesses. So you can't legally perform.
Venues are not allowed to be open. Restaurants can do drive thru and pickup only, or delivery. And NONE are allowing the public inside - they bring it to you in your car. IF they are even open.

This IMO falls under 'act of god'?
My april 4 event canceled yesterday, i'm refunding her ( i also do other business with her).
MY april 18 bride paid in full friday, mom paid the venue...she says if she has to do 50 folks she will, not many more than that have RSVPd - some folks are staying home regardless.

The school dance has so far let me hold the deposit with no question of asking for it back - they will at some point have the dance. Will people be freaky when all together in a big group after weeks of isolation? LOL

That school is closed thru april 14 at this point.
That happened in NJ over the weekend too so I understand where you’re getting at. However, for those looking to get married religiously in a church... they can’t do that anyways, so that too will have to be postponed.
 
How many will change their plans? I mean, to simple marriage and move on? 5%? 20%?
If you planned a wedding and didn't yet pay for everything, now you have to re-do it all and I"m sure some will lose deposits, what date are you gonna be stuck with? A Tuesday in august? LOL And if you were outta work...you may just not be able to afford to do it now.

That happened in NJ over the weekend too so I understand where you’re getting at. However, for those looking to get married religiously in a church... they can’t do that anyways, so that too will have to be postponed.
 
How many will change their plans? I mean, to simple marriage and move on? 5%? 20%?
If you planned a wedding and didn't yet pay for everything, now you have to re-do it all and I"m sure some will lose deposits, what date are you gonna be stuck with? A Tuesday in august? LOL And if you were outta work...you may just not be able to afford to do it now.
I would think MOST will postpone. There will be those that get a Justice-of-the-Peace quick marriage and then do a party later. Sneaking it under the 50 person limit will backfire as more states drop the limit to 5-10. Churches were left out of many situations, but they will eventually be under the same limits soon.
 
We have a photo-only client, for November, who just emailed my wife, asking her to amend our contract so that it guarantees them a full refund in case something happens to their date. This was a gig we booked back 12/19. By the way, their $1.1k deposit was paid back in December and no, I will not be amending an existing contract in favor of the client.
 
They’re telling clients either you have to lower your guest count to under 50, as per the actual law, or you have to cancel. So YES, the client is actually cancelling.
In many states, the business (venue) is considered "non essential"...so they must close.

Technically .. yes, they are canceling .. but again, not by choice. In the eyes of the law, I don't think you'd win if it ever went to court.

Pretty sure this is why we have "act of nature" clauses in a contract.
And why most venues have them, too.
 
So something I didn't know, but found out today for the state of NJ, is that along with closures of the venues, the municipal buildings where one would get their marriage license or do a civil wedding are closed. So couples really now have no choice but to postpone everything since licenses can't even be obtained nor can they do a civil or religious ceremony. Bad for them, but I guess good in the sense they can't actually cancel and do something small or have a wedding without a reception.

I saw this first by reading something online, but had first hand experience with this today when I called to get info for obtaining my sons birth certificate (same building that handles marriage stuff). Originally I was supposed to go pick it up, but when I called to see what time they closed they said they're not open to the public and that I'd have to mail in my request for a birth certificate. Since a marriage license needs to be done in person with a witness present that would make getting one virtually impossible in current times.
 
So something I didn't know, but found out today for the state of NJ, is that along with closures of the venues, the municipal buildings where one would get their marriage license or do a civil wedding are closed. So couples really now have no choice but to postpone everything since licenses can't even be obtained nor can they do a civil or religious ceremony. Bad for them, but I guess good in the sense they can't actually cancel and do something small or have a wedding without a reception.

I saw this first by reading something online, but had first hand experience with this today when I called to get info for obtaining my sons birth certificate (same building that handles marriage stuff). Originally I was supposed to go pick it up, but when I called to see what time they closed they said they're not open to the public and that I'd have to mail in my request for a birth certificate. Since a marriage license needs to be done in person with a witness present that would make getting one virtually impossible in current times.

Yes. All court houses and municipal buildings in lock down areas are closed so no marriage lincenses.

My Brother and his girlfriend are suppose to get married on May 30th. They had scheduled a courthouse ceremony, then a reception at a rented beach house. Would have a caterer there. ...Well schools in DE are closed until May 15th at this point. So we know no weddings are going to happen in DE through May 15th.

Caterer told my brother they need an answer on if they are going through with their wedding by April 7th. ...Not sure why they need THAT much notice, but they are being stern about it. ...My brother said they are not post poning, but if they have to cancel, then the whole party is off, and they will just go and elope in June.

We don't want that. My family wants the beach house party to happen, and my parents want to see them get married in person. It was going to be a whole fun weekend. ...We will see what happens. I guess we will know by April 7th.
 
I just had to find out some horrible news today. My partner wouldn't tell me till we got to the storage space. Had to find out one of my dearest DJ friends died 3am Thursday morning. His sister died on Monday and they put him in the same room. He contacted the virus I was told from someone when he was at Club Elevations. It was his setup they used in the place.

He was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. His ego was in check but he wasn't a dummy. He did a lot over his long career and helped a lot of people including me last year in Weequahic Park twice. Out of respect for the family I didn't give his name. I told my partner as much as he did over the years we need to have a big celebration somewhere in his honor. It needs to be at least a two day thing.

What I don't understand is why did they put him on the same room his sister died in!? I'm going to really miss him. I was looking for him to set me up with the internet radio show again. That won't happen. May God bless his soul and his family at this time. Losing 1 family member in a week is tough enough but 2? I know the family has to be a big mess right now.

I know a whole lot of DJs out here owe so much to that brother that they could never repay him if he were still alive. REAL TOUGH DAY TODAY!!!!!!!!

Hewas the DJ who was doing events in Washington Park during the summer time on Thursdays. The park is located in downtown Newark on Washington Street. Across the street from the public library.
 
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Caterer told my brother they need an answer on if they are going through with their wedding by April 7th. ...Not sure why they need THAT much notice, but they are being stern about it. ...

Just a guess but the caterer has probably already made their profit with the deposit. They'd just as soon take the free money and stay home.
 
I just had to find out some horrible news today. My partner wouldn't tell me till we got to the storage space. Had to find out one of my dearest DJ friends died 3am Thursday morning. His sister died on Monday and they put him in the same room. He contacted the virus I was told from someone when he was at Club Elevations. It was his setup they used in the place.

He was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. His ego was in check but he wasn't a dummy. He did a lot over his long career and helped a lot of people including me last year in Weequahic Park twice. Out of respect for the family I didn't give his name. I told my partner as much as he did over the years we need to have a big celebration somewhere in his honor. It needs to be at least a two day thing.

What I don't understand is why did they put him on the same room his sister died in!? I'm going to really miss him. I was looking for him to set me up with the internet radio show again. That won't happen. May God bless his soul and his family at this time. Losing 1 family member in a week is tough enough but 2? I know the family has to be a big mess right now.

I know a whole lot of DJs out here owe so much to that brother that they could never repay him if he were still alive. REAL TOUGH DAY TODAY!!!!!!!!

Hewas the DJ who was doing events in Washington Park during the summer time on Thursdays. The park is located in downtown Newark on Washington Street. Across the street from the public library.
Sorry for your loss Adrien ..
 
I just had to find out some horrible news today. My partner wouldn't tell me till we got to the storage space. Had to find out one of my dearest DJ friends died 3am Thursday morning. His sister died on Monday and they put him in the same room. He contacted the virus I was told from someone when he was at Club Elevations. It was his setup they used in the place.

He was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. His ego was in check but he wasn't a dummy. He did a lot over his long career and helped a lot of people including me last year in Weequahic Park twice. Out of respect for the family I didn't give his name. I told my partner as much as he did over the years we need to have a big celebration somewhere in his honor. It needs to be at least a two day thing.

What I don't understand is why did they put him on the same room his sister died in!? I'm going to really miss him. I was looking for him to set me up with the internet radio show again. That won't happen. May God bless his soul and his family at this time. Losing 1 family member in a week is tough enough but 2? I know the family has to be a big mess right now.

I know a whole lot of DJs out here owe so much to that brother that they could never repay him if he were still alive. REAL TOUGH DAY TODAY!!!!!!!!

Hewas the DJ who was doing events in Washington Park during the summer time on Thursdays. The park is located in downtown Newark on Washington Street. Across the street from the public library.

Sorry to hear Mix. It looks like North Jersey and New York City metro area is going to take a pounding from this virus. Terrible that he and his sister passed away :(
 
Just a guess but the caterer has probably already made their profit with the deposit. They'd just as soon take the free money and stay home.


That is what I believe is going on as well. I have to ask him what he paid for the deposit. It sounds like they did not offer him to post pone to another date, or he did not tell me they did.

...I bet their agreement does not state they need to know if an event is for sure happening 1 month, 17 days ahead of time either though! I assume the final payment is not due until 14, 21 or 30 days before the event date.

With how Trump is talking, and saying we need to get back to work, and open things up asap...I don't see us being in this situation closures and shelter in place 45 days from now. I think regardless of how bad the spread of the virus gets or how over whelmed our health care system gets, they will force a reopening of everything before May 15th hits. Trump is already talking about it. They will choose economy over HEALTH. That sounds awful, and well...it kinda is, but its the nature of TRUMP, and the other Billionaire Capitalists. ....They will complain enough to get things opened back up. I can't see the nation being closed longer than that...even if we reach 2 million cases. They will say screw it, lets open everything back up!