Skip to comments.
Another Wedding Refund Lawsuit, This Time In Texas; Many couples who spent a year or more planning their weddings, have those plans dashed by the pandemic
Hotair ^
| 06/16/2020
| Jazz Shaw
Posted on 06/16/2020 8:14:29 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Back in May, we were already seeing cases of couples who spent a year or more planning their weddings, only to have those plans dashed by the pandemic. Some of them learned that the tens of thousands of dollars they had paid in advance would not be refunded. Those first instances in the news took place in Chicago, but it was easy to see that the same thing would be taking place elsewhere. This week we learn of some similar situations taking place in Texas, and these may be shaping up into a class-action lawsuit. (CBS Dallas-Fort Worth)
A wedding company is facing a class action lawsuit after asserting it would not reschedule events set for the summer.
Brianna Connaughton and Rex Simmons filed the lawsuit after they were unable to secure a $12,000 refund from Walters Wedding Estates, which declined to postpone their July 18 wedding to another day.
Now, the pair said they want to help other customers who may be in the same situation.
Walters Wedding Estates operates Chapel at Ana Villa in The Colony, where the Plano couple was planning to get married in front of 120 guests.
This certainly sounds like a frustrating and heartbreaking experience for the young couple and I hope they find a way to resolve the matter. But with that said, its worth noting that what were seeing here is quite different than the situation in Chicago. In the Windy City situations, the couples had paid significant amounts of money upfront to rent banquet facilities that were ordered closed by the government. There was no option for the business to accommodate them and the cause was beyond the control of the customer. A refund under such a situation would definitely seem appropriate.
For this couple in Texas, virtually none of the same conditions apply. Texas has already reopened for such activities and the owners claim that they are ready and raring to go. They will be all set up to provide the contracted goods and services. The decision to call things off is being made entirely by the couple, even though the contract they signed with the provider doesnt assure refunds when its the customer doing the canceling.
As for the bride, Brianna Connaughton, shes saying that she doesnt want to risk the health of anyone, including my family. Its an understandable sentiment and very considerate of her, but Mr. Walters can supposedly prove that hes in compliance with all state and local orders for social distancing, sterilization and the rest of the COVID-19 protocols required to safely conduct business. If the only thing stopping the couple from going forward is their concerns over the health of their guests under these conditions, its difficult to see how the operator is at fault or obligated to provide a refund.
As I discussed when writing about similar cases in Chicago, the experiences of these couples are a stark reminder to everyone else to very carefully review the contracts you are signing, particularly when youre putting up such a significant amount of money up front. And as Mr. Walters points out, he strongly suggests to every customer in their contracts that they consider buying wedding insurance against the possibility that the event might be canceled for some reason beyond their control. Of course, since the bride is the only impediment to the marriage taking place, Im not even sure if the insurance company would honor the claim at this point.
TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: coronavirus; lawsuit; mgtow; pandemic; refund; texas; wedding
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20, 21-30 last
To: OrangeHoof
Brides wear veils which is a form of a mask as it covers the face. Then when the preacher says you may now kiss the bride, the groom is supposed to lift the veil and kiss her. That was the tradition. It wasn’t an “awkwardfest” then. The veil has a long history that sometimes the groom could not even see the face of his intended.
With Bride’s no longer donning veils I can see your philosophy on the matter. Some traditions still hold while throwing of the bouquet is now optional as is throwing of the garter. Most do not even throw the garter anymore.
I guess we might have an AR-15 wedding (in lieu of a shotgun wedding) where all the groomsmen are carry ar-15s. New traditions are made every day.
21
posted on
06/17/2020 5:37:06 AM PDT
by
zaxtres
To: SeekAndFind
22
posted on
06/17/2020 6:56:54 AM PDT
by
moovova
To: SeekAndFind
For this couple in Texas, virtually none of the same conditions apply. Texas has already reopened for such activities and the owners claim that they are ready and raring to go. They will be all set up to provide the contracted goods and services. The decision to call things off is being made entirely by the couple, even though the contract they signed with the provider doesn’t assure refunds when it’s the customer doing the canceling.As for the bride, Brianna Connaughton, she’s saying that she doesn’t want to “risk the health of anyone, including my family.”
Stupidity is supposed to hurt.
23
posted on
06/17/2020 11:12:36 AM PDT
by
zeugma
(Stop deluding yourself that America is still a free country.)
To all those criticizing this couple speaking of how entitled they are with this wedding, I encourage you to step into their shoes. I,too, was a Walters Covid bride but chose not to pursue a lawsuit with them. We did have to deal with several other lawyers as did the hundreds of other Walters brides I came across.
First off, please remember that many girls want a nice wedding (sure, who doesnt), but in todays world its become an expectation to have a nice wedding. Its no longer for the bride but instead expected for the families and friends. While many including myself do agree its become too extravagant, this is not directly the bride or grooms fault.
Secondly, Walters Wedding Estates refused to postpone to dates after August. If you did not choose a random weekday date before then (even if your family paid thousands extra for a Saturday), you would be forced to walk away & lose an upwards of $20,000. In Texas, none of these postponement dates are fair. Your wedding contracted date is cancelled for you, and they tried to force hundreds into fitting their financial agenda. Also, you pay per person upfront. If they now only allow 1/2 of what youve paid for, it is illegal to keep that money and no provide the service. 7 extra appetizers (we were offered this too) does not make up for the $10,000 extra dollars paid. This is not life, this is a direct and clear violation of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. You cannot simply take someones money whos trying to buy apples from you and not give them what theyve paid for. This is also called stealing.
This would be like paying for a $50,000 Tesla & signing a contract on it to take home today and instead receiving a $20,000 Nissan Murano you can pick up next month. If you do not accept what theyre offering even after youve paid and signed for a $50,000 Tesla, they will keep all of your money with no refund and no car. This is the situation hundreds of couples were put in. Frankly, most couples had no option but to get a lawyer involved. It is too much money to lose.
Please remember there is usually more to the story than meets the eye. Many here are quick to point the finger and post mean things behind a screen in which it is clearly not deserved.
If anyone deserves anything, Walters deserves to go down. They are a very greedy entitled company trying to take advantage of their clients money during the Pandemic- not my words, but spoken from an ex employee. They have connections in high places and believe they can get away with everything. Its a horrible situation to be in, especially when starting your marriage, and the hurtful (and clearly wrong) comments are not necessary for this couple who has already been through so much.
24
posted on
08/16/2020 11:41:33 AM PDT
by
Anonymous2020
(From Another Walters COVID Bride)
To: SeekAndFind
These spoiled brats are desperate to have the “magic” day where the bride is the center of everyone’s attention. One slight misstep destroys her life forever. So when people discover they have a way out of attending this financial tragedy, they jump on it.
25
posted on
08/16/2020 11:46:54 AM PDT
by
AppyPappy
(How many fingers am I holding up, Winston?)
To: AppyPappy
Too bad....they should get their deposit back and that’s it.
26
posted on
08/16/2020 11:47:51 AM PDT
by
caww
( Trump - the most pro-life president in History !)
To: caww
Why would they get the deposit back? They chose to cancel. They should only get it back if the vendor breeches the contract by changing the terms.
My wedding cost $400 and that was dinner
27
posted on
08/16/2020 11:51:38 AM PDT
by
AppyPappy
(How many fingers am I holding up, Winston?)
To: mikey_hates_everything
Not uncommon for wedding plans to take a year. Need at least 6 months to order the dress and brides maids gowns....and brides take forever just to choose the dresses. In fact it’s one of the most stressful jobs in the world working with brides.
I worked in that Industry for about two or three years. Weddings and Proms will eat sales people alive!
28
posted on
08/16/2020 11:55:42 AM PDT
by
caww
( Trump - the most pro-life president in History !)
To: Anonymous2020
I will not defend this couple, and I’ve worked as a Wedding Planner and Sales in an Exclusive Bridal Facility.
Few Brides understand, even when explained to them, you are not putting on a Wedding....it’s ‘a Production’ just as if you were putting together a movie with peoples parts, extras, costumes, music, flowers and a full stage setting. And generally a lavish reception to follow to feed the room full of theater ‘guests’ who attend the show.
This requires an incredable amount of cordination with various groups .......and Brides and family members who all think they know what they’re doing but don’t. Further change their minds at a drop of a hat.
If you’re having a large wedding you’re going to have to pay a considerable amount up front.
29
posted on
08/16/2020 12:07:05 PM PDT
by
caww
( Trump - the most pro-life president in History !)
To: AppyPappy
In that case they shouldn’t.
30
posted on
08/16/2020 12:08:35 PM PDT
by
caww
( Trump - the most pro-life president in History !)
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20, 21-30 last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson