somethingprettyBy SomethingPretty editorial · Published · 2 min read
Separate three different numbers
The total booking cost, the deposit due now and the amount exposed if you cancel are not necessarily the same. Put each on your checklist. Ask for payment dates, what each payment covers and the cancellation terms before paying.
Ask about both sides of the agreement
What happens if you cancel, postpone or change the date? What happens if the venue cancels or cannot provide the agreed service? Request the process for rescheduling, any price changes and how payments already made would be handled.
A label does not settle every legal question
A “non-refundable” label does not remove rights that cannot lawfully be excluded. Equally, changing your mind does not automatically create a refund entitlement. The reason, contract, services supplied and applicable consumer law matter. Seek individual help where the consequences are significant.
Keep the evidence in one place
Save the signed agreement, quote, inclusions, receipts and written changes. If a dispute occurs, ask for the business’s explanation and itemised basis for retained amounts. Begin with the business and use your state or territory consumer agency for relevant help if needed.
Use the comparison for costs, not a legal verdict
Record the deposit as part of the quoted total where that is how the agreement works. Add payment and cancellation questions to your venue notes. SomethingPretty does not determine whether a particular deposit term is enforceable or how much you would recover.
Bring the details into your plan.
Use confirmed figures, keep unknowns visible and record the dates agreed with your providers.
Sources and editorial notes
Sources checked 23 October 2026. Worked examples are fictional illustrations. Rules and provider terms can change; check the official source for your circumstances.
General information, not an individual legal, financial or contract assessment. AI-assisted drafting with source checks; independent professional review has not been completed. About our guides · Suggest a correction