Privacy Policy

Last Updated: December 11, 2025

1. Introduction

WeddingVenues ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you use our Platform.

By using WeddingVenues, you consent to the data practices described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, password, and profile photo.

Booking Information: Event details (date, guest count, type), special requests, and payment information.

Venue Partner Information: Business details, venue descriptions, photos, pricing, availability, and bank account information for commission payments.

Communications: Messages sent through our Platform, customer support inquiries, and survey responses.

Payment Information: Credit card details, billing address, and payment history (processed by third-party payment processors).

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

Usage Data: Pages viewed, search queries, booking activity, click patterns, and time spent on the Platform.

Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device type, and unique device identifiers.

Location Data: Approximate location based on IP address (we do not collect precise GPS location).

Cookies and Tracking: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to track user activity (see Section 7).

2.3 Information from Third Parties

Social Media: If you sign up via social media, we may receive your name, email, and profile photo.

Payment Processors: Payment confirmation and transaction details.

Analytics Services: Aggregated usage statistics from services like Google Analytics.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

Provide Services: Process bookings, facilitate communication between customers and venues, and manage accounts.
Improve Platform: Analyze usage patterns, test new features, and enhance user experience.
Communication: Send booking confirmations, updates, customer support responses, and service announcements.
Marketing: Send promotional emails about new venues, special offers, and platform updates (you can opt out).
Payment Processing: Process commission payments to venues and handle refunds.
Safety and Security: Detect fraud, prevent abuse, enforce terms of service, and protect users.
Legal Compliance: Comply with legal obligations, respond to legal requests, and protect our rights.
Personalization: Recommend venues based on your preferences and search history.

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 With Venues

When you make a booking request, we share your name, contact information, event details, and special requests with the venue.

4.2 With Customers

When a venue accepts a booking, we share the venue's contact information and payment instructions with you.

4.3 Service Providers

We share information with third-party service providers who help us operate the Platform:

Payment processors (Stripe, PayPal)
Cloud hosting providers (AWS, Google Cloud)
Email service providers (SendGrid, Mailchimp)
Analytics services (Google Analytics)
Customer support tools (Zendesk, Intercom)

4.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or government request, or to protect our rights and safety.

4.5 Business Transfers

If we are acquired or merged with another company, your information may be transferred to the new owner.

4.6 With Your Consent

We may share information with other parties when you explicitly consent (e.g., sharing reviews publicly).

We Do NOT Sell Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

5. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

Encryption: Data transmitted between your browser and our servers is encrypted using SSL/TLS.
Password Protection: Passwords are hashed using bcrypt encryption.
Access Controls: Limited employee access to personal information on a need-to-know basis.
Regular Audits: Periodic security audits and vulnerability testing.
Secure Hosting: Data stored on secure, encrypted cloud servers.

Important: While we take security seriously, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. Use strong passwords and never share your account credentials.

6. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide services and comply with legal obligations:

Account Data: Retained while your account is active and for 2 years after closure (for legal/dispute purposes).
Booking Records: Retained for 7 years after event completion (for tax, legal, and accounting purposes).
Communications: Retained for 3 years or until issue resolution.
Marketing Data: Deleted immediately upon opt-out request.
Analytics Data: Aggregated and anonymized data may be retained indefinitely.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us remember your preferences and improve your experience.

Types of Cookies We Use:

Essential Cookies: Required for the Platform to function (login sessions, security). Cannot be disabled.

Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences (language, currency selection).

Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with the Platform (Google Analytics).

Marketing Cookies: Track your activity across websites for targeted advertising (can be disabled).

Managing Cookies:

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may limit Platform functionality.

8. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

Access: Request a copy of your personal information.
Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information in your account settings.
Deletion: Request deletion of your account and personal data (subject to legal retention requirements).
Data Portability: Request your data in a machine-readable format.
Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails (link in every email) or adjust notification preferences.
Object to Processing: Object to certain uses of your data (e.g., marketing).
Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for data processing where consent was the legal basis.

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@weddingvenues.com. We will respond within 30 days.

9. Children's Privacy

WeddingVenues is not intended for users under 18. We do not knowingly collect information from children. If we discover we have collected information from a child, we will delete it immediately. If you believe a child has provided us with information, contact us at privacy@weddingvenues.com.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable laws (e.g., EU Standard Contractual Clauses).

11. Third-Party Links

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites (venue websites, social media). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. Please review their privacy policies before providing personal information.

12. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

Right to know what personal information is collected, used, and shared
Right to delete personal information (subject to exceptions)
Right to opt-out of the "sale" of personal information (we do not sell information)
Right to non-discrimination for exercising CCPA rights

To exercise these rights, email privacy@weddingvenues.com with "CCPA Request" in the subject line.

13. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

Right to access your personal data
Right to rectification of inaccurate data
Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
Right to restrict processing
Right to data portability
Right to object to processing
Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

Legal Basis for Processing: We process your data based on:

Contract performance (providing booking services)
Legitimate interests (fraud prevention, platform improvement)
Legal obligations (tax, accounting records)
Your consent (marketing communications)

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes via email or Platform notification. The "Last Updated" date at the top reflects the most recent revision. Continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, contact us:

Email: privacy@weddingvenues.com

Mail: WeddingVenues Privacy Team, [Your Address]

Data Protection Officer: dpo@weddingvenues.com (EU residents)

Privacy in Simple Terms

✓ We collect information to provide booking services and improve the Platform

✓ We share your info with venues when you book, and with service providers who help us operate

✓ We do NOT sell your information to third parties

✓ You can access, update, or delete your information anytime

✓ We use industry-standard security to protect your data

✓ You can opt out of marketing emails anytime

✓ Contact privacy@weddingvenues.com with questions