A Florida bride says she is devastated after a wedding venue refused to refund a $7,500 deposit following the sudden death of her fiancé, leaving her mourning while still financially responsible for a wedding that will never take place.
Tye and her fiancé, William, had booked the Crystal Ballroom in Lake Mary, Florida, for a March 29, 2026 ceremony. The couple secured the date with a $7,500 deposit. But on Nov. 19, William, 42, died unexpectedly of cardiac arrest, months before the wedding was set to happen.
Tye said she notified all vendors immediately. Every vendor refunded her money — except the Crystal Ballroom. The venue told her the deposit was non‑refundable “in the event of cancellation, regardless of cause,” a clause written directly into the contract. A representative told local reporters the funds had already been used for “date reservation and staffing allocation.”
Tye, who works in the wedding industry as a makeup artist, said she understands how contracts work but believes compassion should outweigh policy in a situation involving death. “I just couldn’t imagine choosing that paper over the person behind it,” she said.
While the venue’s refusal has sparked widespread outrage online, legal experts say the Crystal Ballroom may still be on firm legal ground. Washington, D.C.–based legal analyst Asukwo Mendie Archibong, Esq., said the venue’s position aligns with how Florida contract law typically treats non‑refundable deposits.
“Under Florida law, if a contract clearly states that a deposit is non‑refundable and the customer signs it, courts generally enforce that language,” Archibong said. “A death — as tragic as it is — does not automatically void a contract unless the agreement includes a clause that specifically covers such circumstances.”
Archibong noted that many wedding contracts do not include force majeure provisions that cover death, and businesses are not legally required to issue refunds unless the contract obligates them to do so. He added that courts often uphold non‑refundable deposits when the vendor can show the funds were allocated toward planning, staffing, or reserving the date — all reasons the Crystal Ballroom cited.
Consumer advocates say wedding cancellation insurance can protect couples from financial losses in cases of illness or death. The reports do not indicate whether Tye purchased such insurance or why she may not have done so.
Despite the legal footing, critics argue the venue is failing the test of compassion. Many commenters have urged the Crystal Ballroom to reconsider, saying the business is “profiting from tragedy.” The venue has expressed condolences but has not changed its position.
The Crystal Ballroom Lake Mary continues to operate and advertise itself as a luxury wedding venue in Central Florida.
