If I cancel a year before the wedding, can I not get my deposit back...?

A Nightmare in Wedding Planning: Increasing Disputes Over Wedding Contract Cancellations

As the burden of wedding costs grows, engaged couples are increasingly facing damages related to the cancellation of wedding venues and wedding-related contracts. Consumer anxiety is rising as cases emerge where couples are unable to recover contract deposits amounting to millions of won, even when the wedding date is nearly a year away. The number of damage relief applications related to wedding services filed with the Korea Consumer Agency surged approximately 2.6 times, from 281 cases in 2021 to 720 cases last year. Out of a total of 2,443 damage cases, 1,988 cases (81.4%) involved disputes over contract termination and penalties, making refund issues a core point of contention.

"Cancelled a year in advance, but no refund allowed"... The clash between industry practices and consumer rights

In a recent case, a prospective groom, Mr. A, signed a contract with a wedding venue in Seoul last April and paid 3 million won. Due to personal circumstances, Mr. A expressed his intention to cancel in November of last year, about one year before the wedding date. However, the company refused, stating, "Since the cancellation occurred more than seven days after the contract, a refund is not possible according to the contract." Mr. A argued, "Since there is still a year left until the wedding and another wedding can be scheduled for that date, the actual loss to the business is limited, making this an excessive measure." This case is currently undergoing mediation procedures by the Consumer Dispute Mediation Commission.

On the other hand, the company emphasized its distinction from general wedding halls. The company claimed, "Our venue is not a general wedding hall where multiple weddings are held in a single day, but a complex space that combines space rental with event management. Since we only hold about two events per day, we incur opportunity cost losses from being unable to accept inquiries for that date for several months from the reservation date until the cancellation."

Wedding Fair Contracts Also Subject to 'Door-to-Door Sales Act'... Right to Withdraw Subscription within 14 Days Recognized

A decision has been made to broadly recognize consumer rights regarding contracts signed at wedding fairs. The Consumer Dispute Mediation Commission decided that a business must refund a 100,000 won deposit regarding a jewelry contract dispute that occurred at a wedding fair in a convention center in February 2025. At the time, a male consumer in his 30s signed the contract after confirming the clause 'the 100,000 won deposit is non-refundable' at the fair, but the business refused when he later requested a refund.

The Commission based its judgment on the 'Act on Door-to-Door Sales, etc.' It viewed the wedding fair venue as a 'place other than the business premises' rather than the permanent place of business. If a consumer expresses the intention to cancel within 14 days from the day they signed the contract at the recommendation of the business and received the contract, they can legally exercise their right to withdraw the subscription. Following the legislative intent that prohibits charging penalties for the withdrawal of a subscription, the Commission ruled that statutory rights cannot be restricted by terms and conditions that are disadvantageous to the consumer.

Dispute Status by Item and Consumer Precautions

Wedding-related disputes filed with the Consumer Dispute Mediation Commission have increased every year, totaling 908 cases over the last three years (141 cases in 2023, 320 cases in 2024, and 447 cases in 2025). Among the 76 disputes related to wedding fairs, 96.1% were cases of refusal to refund deposits or claims for excessive penalties. By item, wedding planning services were the most frequent at 59.2% (45 cases), followed by wedding attire/Hanbok rental (16 cases), jewelry (8 cases), and wedding services (5 cases).

Experts advise that consumers must carefully check termination penalties and refund regulations when signing contracts. An official from the Consumer Agency emphasized, "Consumers should carefully examine whether the terms and conditions are excessive compared to the Consumer Dispute Resolution Standards." When signing contracts at fairs, it is advisable to check whether the location is the business's permanent place of business and to leave a record of the intention to withdraw the subscription in writing rather than by phone to secure evidence.