Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California

Wedding breach of contract

Couple plans elaborate out of town wedding. 32 of 35 invitees live in same town as couple. Travel expenses and hotel expenses required. Bride skips town the day before the impending nuptials. Two questions: 1. Engagement ring legal property of groom? (marriage contract?) 2. Can the bride be considered in breach of contract and liable for the invitees travel/accommodation expenses?


Asked on 10/05/04, 12:45 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Judith Deming Deming & Associates

Re: Wedding breach of contract

Are you for real? The bride had no contract with the guests, and they were under no obligation to attend. With respect to the ring, it is considered a gift to the bride; however, if the groom is making payments on it, there are cases where the courts have determined that it be returned to the groom so that he can return it to the financing entity, and/or sell it to pay off the debt.

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Answered on 10/05/04, 6:18 pm
Robert F. Cohen Law Office of Robert F. Cohen

Re: Wedding breach of contract

I remember writing something about this once before. In California, the engagement ring is generally considered the property of the bride. In other states, it varies.

It would be tough for the wedding guests to recover, especially if the ex-bride-to-be had not known that she would get cold feet when she agreed to be married. A creative lawyer might fashion a lawsuit, though. That has to be counterbalanced by the reality of collecting on a judgment.

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Answered on 10/05/04, 7:40 am


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