A Surrey, B.C., wedding planning company has been ordered to return a bride’s $2,500 deposit after the latter cancelled their contract the day after it was signed.
B.C. Civil Resolution Tribunal member Deanna Rivers said in her Oct. 31 decision that Immanjot Bassi hired Inder Seedat (doing business as Beach Bouquet Destination Weddings & Travel) after having an online consultation Feb. 17, 2023.
Over the next month, Bassi provided event information, and on March 23, 2023, signed an online agreement and paid a $3,000 deposit.
The next day, however, Bassi called Seedat to cancel the agreement. Bassi sent Seedat an email the same day confirming the cancellation. She requested a $2,500 partial refund.
“Ms. Bassi says that she cancelled the contract for breach of contract and a significant loss of trust in Inder Seedat,” Rivers said. “While both parties provided evidence concerning the actions of the other... I find that the reason for the contract’s cancellation does not matter.”
The wedding planner said all deposits are non-refundable.
The tribunal member said the bride-to-be was a “consumer” and Seedat was a “supplier” under B.C.’s Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (BPCPA). But while Bassi signed an online agreement and paid a deposit, the planners services were not supplied in full, said Rivers in her decision.
“I find the contract between the parties is both a distance sales contract and a future performance contract,” she wrote.
The tribunal member said the BPCPA says a distance sales contract must set out terms including the currency in which the amounts owing are payable.
Rivers said the agreement contained no contact information for the wedding planner or the company, other than an e-mail address for payment. There was also no information concerning currency, no date by which the services would be supplied and no itemized price for services.
“I find that the agreement does not contain the information required by the BPCPA,” said the tribunal member.
Rivers said if an agreement does not contain required information, the consumer can cancel within seven days after they receive a copy of the distance sales contract. In the case of a future performance contract, that period is a year.
“I find Ms. Bassi cancelled the contract within the required time limits,” Rivers said. “I find that Ms. Bassi was entitled to cancel the agreement because it did not contain the required information.”
Rivers awarded the $2,500 claimed by the bride.
The decision gives no indication whether or not the wedding proceeded.
