Nicola Peltz Wedding Planner Lawsuit Settled, The $159,000 Dispute That Exposed Celebrity Wedding Drama
Nicola Peltz’s billionaire father Nelson Peltz sued wedding planners Nicole Braghin and Arianna Grijalba in December 2022 for refusing to return a $159,000 deposit after firing them just nine days into planning his daughter’s $3 million Palm Beach wedding. The lawsuit—which included a countersuit alleging breach of contract and exposed hundreds of heated text messages between Nicola and her planners—was settled in September 2023 with all claims dismissed and a charitable donation made to the CARE Ukraine Crisis Fund.
The legal battle pulled back the curtain on one of Hollywood’s most lavish celebrity weddings and the chaos that nearly derailed it.
The Wedding Planner Nightmare That Sparked Legal Action
The trouble began six weeks before Nicola Peltz and Brooklyn Beckham’s April 9, 2022 wedding when celebrity planner Preston Bailey suddenly withdrew from the project. Bailey had worked on the wedding for 11 months before telling the Peltz family he was “overcommitted” and couldn’t deliver to his usual quality standards.
With 500 guests confirmed—including Eva Longoria, Serena and Venus Williams, Gordon Ramsay, and Spice Girls members—Nelson Peltz desperately needed replacement planners. He hired Nicole Braghin and Arianna Grijalba of Plan Design Events, paying them a $159,000 deposit to salvage the wedding with less than six weeks to go.
The partnership lasted exactly nine days. According to court documents filed in Miami, Nelson fired the planners on what the lawsuit called “a day of reckoning,” alleging they failed to book a single new vendor, couldn’t finalize agreements with existing vendors, and missed previously scheduled meetings.
The $159,000 Deposit Dispute
Nelson’s December 2022 lawsuit claimed Braghin and Grijalba “took advantage” of the opportunity to work with “two world-famous celebrities” by making misrepresentations about their experience and expertise. The legal filing described the planners as lacking the capability to handle a wedding of this “caliber and complexity.”
“Nicola is a world-famous actress who has starred in blockbuster movies and television shows, including, among others, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Bates Motel and The Last Airbender,” the lawsuit stated. “The celebrity of the wedding couple combined with the anticipated attendance of many high-profile guests required that the wedding planner have the expertise and staffing to plan, coordinate and execute a wedding event of the expected caliber and complexity.”
The lawsuit demanded return of the full $159,000 deposit plus legal fees, arguing the planners provided “no service of value” during their brief employment.
In contract disputes, courts determine liability based on verified evidence and applicable law, examining whether services were adequately performed and compensation was earned.
The Wedding Planners Fight Back With Explosive Countersuit
In February 2023, Braghin and Grijalba filed a countersuit that changed everything. They sued not just Nelson, but also Nicola, her mother Claudia, and wedding designer Rishi Patel for breach of contract and interference with business dealings.
The planners called Nelson a “billionaire bully” and claimed they deserved compensation for their nine days of intense work. They submitted approximately 150 pages of evidence—including 258 text messages exchanged over just 12 hours in a group chat with Nicola and Claudia.
Those text messages, obtained by the Daily Mail and later featured in court filings, revealed the high-pressure environment the planners faced. The messages showed Nicola growing increasingly frustrated with RSVP mistakes, particularly regarding Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton’s attendance.
“Lewis Hamilton did NOT RSVP,” Nicola wrote in one exchange. “So please explain why his names on the list please. We spoke to him. He can’t come so explain why you said he rsvpd yes.”
The planner responded: “Give me a sec because this system for RSVP it’s new to me, I haven’t got a chance to learn how to pull the data…I’m a wedding planner not a tech lol.”
Behind-the-Scenes Wedding Drama Exposed
The leaked text messages revealed intimate details about the wedding planning process that had been carefully hidden from public view. Nicola demanded “early 2000s hip-hop” music, insisted band members wear “plan chic tuxes,” and requested a “water aisle and matching water dance floor” for a 70s-inspired afterparty.
In messages about previous vendors, Nicola wrote “I hate them” and asked “can we fire them yet?” When Brooklyn described the planning as “a mess,” Nicola responded it was “more like a MURDER SCENE.”
The planners alleged that both Nicola and Claudia insisted Victoria Beckham—Brooklyn’s mother—”could not know about any internal mistakes regarding the ongoing planning of her son’s wedding, including any errors with the guest list.” This secrecy added pressure as the guest list kept changing, making coordination increasingly difficult.
One particularly contentious detail involved hair and makeup services costing over $100,000 that Nicola reportedly instructed planners not to disclose to her father.
Legal Arguments and Personal Attacks
Nelson’s lawyers portrayed the wedding planners as taking advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that “would undoubtedly propel PDE into wedding planning stardom.” The lawsuit suggested the planners misrepresented their capabilities to land a high-profile client.
The defense painted a different picture. They claimed Nelson allegedly asked at one point whether they were “crying” when he called to fire them. The planners further alleged that Nelson wished to “cancel the wedding” entirely but his wife “begged” him not to, fearing it would “destroy Nicola’s career.”
Nelson’s attorneys also made reference to “alcohol use and possible abuse” by the wedding planners, citing a text message where one planner wrote: “I’m going for a tequila my head is about to explode! But I’m here if you need me.” Nicola had responded “Yes queen!!!!”
In March 2023, the Peltz family fired back through attorney Michael Kreitzer, calling the inclusion of Nicola and Claudia as defendants “salacious, meritless and legally deficient” and describing the countersuit as “a good old fashion shake-down.”
Similar to the Priscilla Presley lawsuit Brigitte Kruse case, this celebrity business dispute involved competing claims of financial misconduct and reputation damage.
What You Must Know
The Third Wedding Planner Who Saved the Day
After firing Braghin and Grijalba, the Peltz family brought in wedding planner Michelle Rago to salvage the event. A source told HELLO! magazine that “when Michelle got involved, she took a lot of Nicola’s stress away. Nicola was finally able to focus on her work and the things about her wedding that made her excited.”
Rago successfully executed the three-day, $3 million celebration at the Peltz family’s Palm Beach estate. The wedding featured a Wendy’s food truck with custom “Nicola and Brooklyn Combo” meals, elaborate floral arrangements, and entertainment for 500 guests.
Despite the planning chaos, the April 9, 2022 ceremony went off without major public incidents. Nicola wore Valentino after plans to wear a Victoria Beckham gown fell through when the atelier couldn’t complete the dress in time.
How the Lawsuit Was Resolved
On September 6, 2023, all parties announced the lawsuit had been settled with all claims dismissed. The joint statement revealed that as part of the settlement, Plan Design Events agreed to make a donation in Nicola and Brooklyn’s name to the CARE Ukraine Crisis Fund.
“The parties believe that this contract dispute between Nelson Peltz and Plan Design should be resolved on the terms agreed,” the statement read. “PDE wishes Nicola and Brooklyn Peltz Beckham happiness and a fruitful life together.”
The settlement came after months of public scrutiny and media coverage that painted Nicola as a “nightmare bride” obsessed with celebrity status. A documentary later featured the case, analyzing the text message evidence and expert commentary on the dispute.
Neither party disclosed the financial terms of the settlement, leaving questions about whether any portion of the $159,000 deposit was ultimately returned or retained as compensation for the planners’ work.
Like the Brian McKnight’s $8.8M defamation victory case, this celebrity legal battle demonstrated how family disputes can escalate into major litigation when parties have public platforms and reputations to protect.
Legal Lessons From Celebrity Wedding Disputes
The Nicola Peltz wedding planner case highlights several important considerations for high-stakes event planning:
Contract Clarity: Wedding planners and clients should establish clear expectations, deliverables, and termination clauses before work begins. The nine-day engagement left little time to demonstrate competence or justify the substantial deposit.
Documentation Matters: The 150 pages of text messages submitted as evidence proved crucial to both sides’ arguments. Every communication became potential courtroom testimony.
Deposit Structures: The case raises questions about how deposits should be structured for short-term engagements. Should planners retain full deposits for work performed, even if terminated quickly?
Public Figure Considerations: Working with celebrity clients carries unique pressures regarding confidentiality, guest list management, and family dynamics that standard wedding planning may not encounter.
What to Do Next
Accessing Public Court Records
The Nicola Peltz wedding planner lawsuit was filed in Miami-Dade County, Florida circuit court. Public court records from the case may be accessible through the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts website at miami-dadeC lerk.com. Court documents typically remain in public records even after settlement.
To search for case documents, you’ll need the case number or party names (Nelson Peltz v. Plan Design Events). Florida court records are generally available to the public unless sealed by court order.
Documents filed in this case included the original complaint, the countersuit, motion to dismiss from Nicola and Claudia Peltz, and the final settlement dismissal. These filings contain the text message exhibits and legal arguments made by both sides.
Wedding Planning Contract Best Practices
If you’re planning a high-stakes wedding or event, legal experts recommend these protective measures:
Draft Detailed Contracts: Include specific deliverables, timelines, communication protocols, and performance standards. Vague agreements invite disputes.
Establish Refund Policies: Clearly state what portion of deposits are refundable under various termination scenarios. Consider graduated refund schedules based on work completed.
Set Realistic Timelines: Six weeks for a 500-person celebrity wedding proved problematic. Ensure planners have adequate time to familiarize themselves with systems, vendors, and preferences.
Document Everything: Keep written records of all agreements, changes, and communications. Text messages became crucial evidence in this case.
When to Consider Legal Counsel
Disputes over wedding planning services typically involve state contract law rather than federal regulations. You should consult an attorney when:
- Deposits exceed $10,000 and planners refuse refunds after termination
- Planners fail to deliver promised services despite full payment
- Breach of contract causes measurable financial damages beyond the deposit
- Defamation or reputation damage occurs through public statements
- The dispute involves multiple parties with conflicting claims
Many consumer protection attorneys offer free initial consultations to evaluate whether pursuing legal action makes financial sense. Attorney fees may exceed the disputed amount in smaller cases.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Options
Before filing a lawsuit, consider mediation or arbitration as cost-effective alternatives. Many wedding planning contracts include mandatory arbitration clauses requiring disputes be resolved outside of court.
Mediation involves a neutral third party helping both sides reach voluntary settlement. The Peltz case ultimately settled, suggesting mediation or settlement negotiations proved more effective than courtroom battles.
Arbitration involves a neutral arbitrator making a binding decision after hearing evidence. It’s typically faster and less expensive than traditional litigation, though parties surrender the right to jury trial.
FAQs
Was Nicola Peltz personally sued by her wedding planners?
Yes. When Nicole Braghin and Arianna Grijalba filed their February 2023 countersuit, they named Nicola Peltz Beckham, her mother Claudia, and wedding designer Rishi Patel as defendants alongside Nelson Peltz. The planners alleged breach of contract and business interference. Nicola and Claudia filed a motion to withdraw from the proceedings in March 2023, calling the claims “baseless and malicious.”
How much did Nicola Peltz’s wedding to Brooklyn Beckham cost?
The three-day wedding celebration at the Peltz family’s Palm Beach estate cost approximately $3 million according to multiple reports. The event featured 500 guests, included celebrities and athletes from around the world, and required multiple wedding planners to execute. This figure doesn’t include Nicola’s Valentino gown or other personal expenses.
Why did Nicola Peltz go through three wedding planners?
Preston Bailey, the first planner, withdrew six weeks before the wedding after 11 months of work, claiming he was “overcommitted.” Nicole Braghin and Arianna Grijalba of Plan Design Events were hired next but fired after nine days. Michelle Rago was the third planner who successfully executed the April 9, 2022 wedding. The rapid turnover reflected the complexity and pressure of planning a high-profile celebrity wedding on a compressed timeline.
What happened to the $159,000 deposit Nelson Peltz paid?
The financial terms of the September 2023 settlement were not publicly disclosed. While Nelson Peltz’s lawsuit demanded return of the full $159,000 deposit, and the planners’ countersuit argued they deserved compensation for work performed, neither party revealed whether the deposit was returned, retained, or partially refunded as part of the confidential settlement agreement.
Did the wedding planner lawsuit affect Nicola and Brooklyn’s marriage?
The legal battle did not appear to impact the couple’s relationship. In August 2025, Nicola and Brooklyn held a vow renewal ceremony less than three and a half years after their original wedding, with Nicola’s father Nelson officiating. Brooklyn and Nicola frequently post loving messages on social media and remain together as of January 2026.
Can wedding planners keep deposits if they’re fired?
Deposit retention depends on state contract law and the specific agreement terms. In contract disputes, courts determine liability based on verified evidence and applicable consumer protection laws. Factors include work performed, expenses incurred, time invested, and whether termination was for cause or convenience. The Nicola Peltz case demonstrates that even brief engagements can justify some compensation, but courts examine whether services provided justified the deposit amount.
Were the text messages between Nicola Peltz and her wedding planners real?
Yes. The approximately 150 pages of text messages were submitted as official court evidence in the countersuit filed by Braghin and Grijalba. These messages, which included 258 texts exchanged over a 12-hour period, were verified as part of the legal proceedings and later obtained and published by media outlets including the Daily Mail. They revealed details about guest list management, vendor selection, and the high-pressure planning environment.
Last Updated: January 20, 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the Nicola Peltz wedding planner lawsuit and is not legal advice for your specific situation.
Have you experienced wedding planning disputes or vendor conflicts? Share your insights in the comments to help others navigate these challenging situations.
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About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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