A Florida woman whose fiancé unexpectedly died months before their planned wedding is publicly urging greater compassion from the wedding industry after a venue refused to refund her deposit, saying, “this wasn’t like a cancellation.”
Tye Hinson and her partner, William Coney, had planned to marry on March 29, 2026, at the Crystal Ballroom Lake Mary, a popular event space in Central Florida. But tragedy struck in November 2025, when Coney, 42, suffered a fatal heart attack. Hinson informed the venue two days later, hoping for understanding and support.
Despite paying a total of $7,609 — including a non-refundable $2,000 administrative fee and a further US$5,609 just before Coney’s passing — the venue has declined to return any of the funds, citing its strict non-refund policy outlined in the contract Hinson signed.
“I called (the venue) two days after he passed away to make them aware,” Hinson told local media. “This wasn’t like a cancellation. This was a person dying.”
Contract vs. Compassion
The Crystal Ballroom’s owner, Lukasz Rogowski, has expressed sympathy for Hinson’s loss but has maintained the venue’s position, explaining that non-refundable deposits are standard because venues incur significant costs — including staffing, reservation blocking and administrative preparations — long before an event date.
He also noted that clients are encouraged to take out third-party event cancellation insurance to protect against unforeseen tragedies such as illness or death.
“Offering compassion and offering refunds are not the same thing, and both must exist within a framework that is fair, transparent, and consistent for all clients,” Rogowski told reporters.
An employee reportedly even suggested Hinson could hold a memorial at the venue on the original wedding date, a recommendation that triggered backlash from the bride and her supporters.
Community Response and Fundraiser
Her wedding planner, Patricia Aro, set up a GoFundMe fundraiser to help cover lost expenses, raising over $3,500 toward a $4,000 goal at the time of reporting. Aro urged the venue to “choose empathy and do the right thing for someone who has already lost so much.”
Other vendors associated with Hinson’s wedding reportedly issued refunds or honored cancellations despite having non-refundable clauses in their own contracts, underscoring the emotional complexity of the situation.
Broader Industry Debate
The case raises broader questions about contracts and compassion in the wedding and event industry, especially when personal tragedies are involved. Legal experts often recommend event cancellation insurance precisely for events that cannot go forward due to death or illness — though many clients forgo such coverage, unaware of the risks.
For now, Hinson continues to advocate for understanding and fairness, saying her aim isn’t to attack the business but to shed light on what happens “when real-life tragedy collides with the fine print.”
