Gulf Beach Weddings Reviews (%countItem)
Gulf Beach Weddings Rating
Address: 209 Main Street, Destin, Florida, United States, 32541
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I scheduled my wedding to take place in April 2020, we had to cancel due to the COVID crisis, so the company suggested I reschedule. I agreed and we rescheduled for October 2020. With the new surge of cases and the fact that many members of my wedding party are elderly or have pre-existing medical conditions, they cannot fly so I have found myself in a situation that I now have to cancel my wedding and just go to the local courthouse in my home state of NC. I have asked the vendor to reconsider their "no refund" policy due to this unprecedented situation, to which they refuse. I cannot postpone my wedding indefinitely and there is no point having a big wedding on the beach for just me, my fiance and the minister. They have no concept of the dangers my guests would be exposed to if they were to travel from all over the US. They are also the ONLY vendor who refuses to refund my deposit.
Product_Or_Service: Wedding planning
Order_Number: XXXXX-WCDP
Refund I want my $497.50 refunded due to the fact that this is out of my control.
Thank you very much for your feedback and complaint with Revdex.com. This is not the route we choose to go as we were in email contact earlier today, requesting you fill out our Cancellation/Postponement form through the website: https://gulfbeachweddings.com/cancellation-feedback-request/.
At which time, the Office Manager will review and reach out accordingly to discuss your options. The Panhandle of Florida continues to be one of the lowest cases in the Country as it relates to the fear of COVID. The beaches continue to remain open since May 4th, 2020 - to which we have conducted ceremonies nearly every day since.
There are costs associated with reserving a wedding: Officiate, Photographer, Permit, Marketing/Emails/Phone Calls. We moved all weddings affected by the beach closures at no charge however, now we are cancelling the ceremony for October in July.
We look forward to finding resolution however, a complaint with the Revdex.com is going down the wrong path to start out. We truly want to help each of our couples!
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
I have been in contact with the company today to which their response was:
"***,
You can wait as long as you feel comfortable waiting to cancel the ceremony, however, the deposit will be non-refundable.
We postponed the ceremony the first time at no additional charge and are trying to work it out with you to make the ceremony happen in October.
We understand this is frustrating for all involved and we apologize for the inconvenience."
I am in the process of completing the cancellation form, but the response above clearly indicates they do not plan to refund my deposit.
I remain unimpressed with their response regarding the numbers of cases in the panhandle, that has no impact on the people having travel to FL from other states (some by plane).
As to the associated costs, I have my own officiant, I did not request a photographer, or marketing. As to the permit, it only cost $50 which they charged $350 for, this is the only work they have had to do to date for this wedding (which as they have stated is still several months out). I cannot continue to postpone indefinitely as I stated previously. And YES, I am cancelling in July for an October wedding because I cannot wait until the last minute to make alternative arrangements. Planning a wedding is quite involved, as they should be well aware.
As to the veiled threat they sent through their correspondence to the Revdex.com "a complaint to the Revdex.com is going down the wrong path to start out", I am not intimidated. This is NOT the way to conduct business. I have attachments to support my facts, but do not see an option for uploading them, but I can email all of this information. Their response is dishonest and I have email traffic to support by assertions. Please advise further.
Thank you for your response and filling out the Cancellation Request form through the website last night. We look forward to our 2pm call this afternoon and finding common ground. It is not free to book and cancel a wedding, there are costs involved upon reservation. Here is the direct link to the Terms of Purchase agreed to back in October 2019: https://gulfbeachweddings.com/terms-purchase/
The cost for the permit is $150 for the non-Main Opal Beach Access points. You were originally charged the $350 however, a $200 credit was applied to the balance. Here's the notes from your reservation "Notes:
I have already checked availability and the pavilion is reserved for April 25. I request parking lot 8 which I am told will reduce the cost from $350 to $150 by one of your agents." The current outstanding balance is $797.50.
Originally on 10-16-19 you selected 'Officiate' however, on June 4th, 2020 informed us that you will be providing your own. We sent the Officiate Waiver form however, have not received this document to date.
It is unreasonable to suggest we planned essentially two weddings and now cancelling only a couple months prior that there are no costs involved. According to North Carolina, there are no restrictions on travel to Florida only recommendations - here is the link: https://www.visitnc.com/advisory/snRb/coronavirus-travel-advisory
While we do want to exceed expectations with all our couples, we cannot operate when all vendors & permits have been paid in full this close to the date, then cancel a couple months prior to the ceremony. We have been straightforward from the beginning and willing to help in all capacities. Even staffing fully during the shut down to help couples postpone, cancel, and refunding the amount above the deposit paid. Unfortunately, the deposit is non-refundable in all cases.
Since the beaches reopened on May 4th, 2020 we have conducted weddings just about every day since. All without issue. We have taken certain measures to allow for a more distanced event and improved the safety. This past week we conducted 18 weddings, just to give you an idea. I am happy to set up a time to discuss but the Gulf Beaches of Florida continue to be one of the lowest case areas in the Country. With it being an outdoor open-air environment for the ceremony itself, there's really no safer way to get married in our opinion.
We are taking every measure possible to ensure the safety of our staff and guests: https://gulfbeachweddings.com/covid-19/
*These protocols are far and above what the CDC requires, but we want to be on the safe side.
There are options as we are willing to work with couples that prefer to postpone and look forward to our conversation later today.
Gulf Beach Weddings
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
Following a telephone conversation with the vendor on July 29th, I received a document from Gulf Beach Weddings stating they would refund me $200 of my deposit. After reading the document in full, I refuse to sign it and settle with the vendor. They are asking me to give up my rights and worse, asking me to take responsibility for potential actions of others (which I cannot do). I refuse to be held liable for something someone else might say or do in the future and open myself up to a lawsuit and an agreement to pay them $10,000 in fines plus legal fees. If you need to see the document, I am happy to forward. I didn't serve my country to be told I have to give up my rights over a situation that is out of my control. AGAIN, all others have worked with me. I am from Pensacola originally and this just blows my mind that I am being treated this way. I also have email from the National Seashore office that contradicts some of their assertions about the number of weddings etc. that have been held on the beach. If this continues, I will just take all of this to the local media. I refuse to be bullied.