How to Call Off a Wedding

Regardless of the reason, if you need to call off a wedding, there are many things to take into consideration. Depending on how close you are to the date, this can be challenging and costly. Here are some steps to help you get through this difficult process.

Instructions

1. Decide with your former fiancé how to share the responsibility of canceling the wedding. There will be a lot to be done if the date is near.

2. Tell people in your bridal party and close family members personally with a phone call or a visit that the marriage has been called off.

3. Notify the guests that the event has been canceled and the marriage called off. If there's time, you can send out written notices and post a notice in the newspaper to advise that the wedding is canceled, but this is generally customary if a wedding was previously announced in the newspaper. For those who need to travel to attend the event, a telephone call is more considerate to allow these people to cancel flights and reservations. A phone call may be necessary if there's not enough time to send a letter.

4. Make a list of all the services and locations involved that need to be notified. This could include photographers, disc jockey or band, floral services, caterers, limousine services, the church, the reception hall and a travel agent regarding cancellation of a honeymoon.

5. Contact all the services in your list to arrange to cancel the wedding and services. You may face penalties for the cancellation, and some services or items that you purchased may require that you pay substantial penalties. Some items might be nonreturnable (such as a wedding gown), but most will charge you a percentage of their fees for cancellation. Review your contracts to understand your rights in terms of cancellation.

6. Contact your insurance provider, if you have purchased wedding insurance. Wedding insurance can be very helpful in the event of a cancellation to cover monetary loss.

7. Return all gifts. It's customary to return all gifts when a wedding has been canceled, including both wedding gifts and shower gifts.

8. Return the engagement ring to your former fiancé. Regardless of who canceled the wedding or what the reason was, it's typical for the female to return the ring to the male.

Tips & Warnings

• Accept offers of help from family and friends to help you make the cancellation arrangements.

• Take time to heal. Look after your health and let family and friends help you during this difficult time.

• You are not obligated to tell everyone why the marriage was called off if it makes you uncomfortable.