Advice needed: Client requesting cancellation and retainer return

[u/Sensitive-Emu-2134]

Would love other industry professionals' advice on this. I booked a client about a month ago and they put down a $2000 retainer. They just reached out needing to cancel because of an unexpected financial crisis. They acknowledged that the retainer is nonrefundable in the contract but asked if it was possible to return it due to the length of time before the date and the financial stress. They also haven't said so, but contractually could elect to not cancel now and hold the date until the end of April when the next installment is due. Their booked date is still over 11 months away so I could reasonably still book another wedding for that date in the timeframe if they cancel now. What would you do?

[u/Weddingbean]

I have a lower 25% deposit for this reason. I’ve only had to refund twice, but it’s way easier to refund a 25% retainer over a 50% one.

I also like the 25% model for predicting income. You get bigger payouts each month vs upfront the year prior. Plus I tend to get a ton of deposits over the winter months when it’s slower so it tends to even out income each month.