Can I get my wedding deposit back if the vendor cancels?

Yes. If the vendor cancels or fails to perform, you're entitled to a full refund of your deposit plus any consequential damages. California Civil Code 1671 limits forfeiture clauses, and if the deposit is unreasonably large, courts may order a refund even if the contract says otherwise.

What if I cancel my event? Can I get any deposit back?

It depends on the contract terms and how much advance notice you gave. Under California Civil Code 1671, deposit forfeiture clauses must be reasonable. If the vendor can rebook your date or hasn't incurred substantial costs, you may be entitled to a partial refund. COVID-related cancellations often have special considerations.

The caterer didn't show up on my wedding day. What can I recover?

You can recover the full amount paid, the additional cost of emergency replacement services, and potentially emotional distress damages for ruining a special occasion. This is one area where California courts have allowed emotional distress recovery in contract cases due to the unique nature of wedding services.

What's the statute of limitations for event service disputes?

Written contracts: 4 years (CCP 337). Oral agreements: 2 years (CCP 339). If fraud is involved, 3 years from discovery (CCP 338(d)). The clock starts when the vendor breached or when you discovered the breach.

CA Wedding Vendor Didn't Deliver? Recover Your Deposit (Free Demand Letter)

🎉 Overview: Event Services Breach Claims

Event service disputes often involve significant money and high emotions. Whether a wedding venue cancelled, a caterer no-showed, or a photographer delivered unusable photos—California law provides remedies to recover your deposits and compensate for ruined occasions.

Common Breach Scenarios

🚫 Vendor Cancellation

Vendor cancelled your booking and won't refund your deposit

🕑 No-Show on Event Day

Vendor failed to appear, forcing emergency replacement or ruined event

📷 Poor Quality / Non-Delivery

Photos unusable, food inedible, services far below what was promised

💰 Deposit Dispute

Vendor keeping deposit after you cancelled, despite reasonable notice

👍 What You Can Recover

Full deposit/payment: If vendor failed to perform
Cover costs: Additional cost for emergency replacement services
Consequential damages: Related losses from vendor's breach
Emotional distress: In some cases, especially weddings
Prejudgment interest: 10% per year (Civil Code 3289)

💖 Special Rule: Wedding & Special Occasion Contracts

California courts recognize that wedding and special event contracts have a personal service element that makes emotional distress damages recoverable—unlike most commercial contracts. If a vendor's breach ruined your wedding or special event, you may recover damages for emotional distress in addition to economic losses.

💼 Event Vendor Types Covered

This guide applies to disputes with any event service provider.

Vendor Type	Typical Deliverables	Common Breaches
Wedding Planner	Planning services, vendor coordination, day-of management	Abandoned planning, vendor no-shows, poor coordination
Venue	Space rental, setup, catering facilities, parking	Cancellation, double-booking, different space than contracted
Caterer	Food preparation, service staff, rentals	No-show, insufficient food, poor quality, health issues
Photographer/Videographer	Coverage, edited photos/video, albums	No-show, lost files, poor quality, late delivery
DJ / Band	Music, MC services, equipment	No-show, wrong music, unprofessional conduct
Florist	Arrangements, bouquets, setup	Wrong flowers, wilted/dead flowers, late delivery
Officiant	Ceremony performance, license filing	No-show, license not filed, inappropriate conduct

⚖ Legal Basis

California provides strong remedies for event service breach, including special rules for personal service contracts.

Key California Statutes

📚

California Civil Code Section 1671

Limits liquidated damages (deposit forfeiture) clauses. A deposit forfeiture is only enforceable if it was reasonable at the time of contracting. Unreasonably large deposits that are really penalties are unenforceable.

📚

California Civil Code Section 3300

Contract damages include the amount that will compensate for all detriment proximately caused by the breach. For event services, this includes the cost of replacement services and consequential losses.

📚

California Business & Professions Code Section 17200

The Unfair Competition Law prohibits unfair business practices. Taking deposits without performing services, or refusing reasonable refunds, may constitute an unfair practice.

Key Cases

📖 Windeler v. Scheers Jewelers (1970) 8 Cal.App.3d 844

Landmark case establishing that emotional distress damages are recoverable in breach of contract cases involving "personal" services where emotional satisfaction is a key purpose—such as weddings, funerals, and special occasions.

📖 Chelini v. Nieri (1948) 32 Cal.2d 480

California Supreme Court held that deposit forfeiture provisions must be reasonable estimates of anticipated damages at the time of contracting. Unreasonable forfeitures are penalties and unenforceable.

📖 Lewis v. Premium Investment Corp. (1945) 68 Cal.App.2d 712

Established that when a vendor breaches, the customer is entitled to full recovery of amounts paid plus damages—the vendor cannot retain any portion as a penalty.

💰 California Deposit Rules

Understanding deposit law is critical in event service disputes.

❌ Vendor Breaches

If the vendor cancels or fails to perform, you get a full refund regardless of contract terms

📋 Customer Cancels

Vendor may keep reasonable deposit, but only to cover actual damages or lost opportunity

⚖ Reasonableness Test

Deposits over 10-20% of contract value may be unenforceable penalties under Civil Code 1671

🕑 Rebook Opportunity

If vendor rebooks your date, they have no actual damages and must refund

⚠ "Non-Refundable Deposit" Clauses

Many event contracts say deposits are "non-refundable." In California:

If vendor breaches, the clause doesn't apply—you get full refund
If you cancel, the clause may be unenforceable if it's unreasonably large
Courts look at actual damages, not just contract language
If vendor rebooks your date, they suffered no loss and must refund

🖩 Event Services Breach Damages Calculator

Use this interactive calculator to estimate potential damages in your case. Enter your information below to get an estimate of recoverable damages.

Direct Financial Loss ($) Actual money lost or spent

Consequential Damages ($) Additional losses caused by the issue

Emotional Distress Level

Statutory Penalty Type

📈 Estimated Damages Breakdown

Direct Damages $0

Consequential Damages $0

Emotional Distress (Est.) $0

Statutory Penalties (Est.) $0

TOTAL ESTIMATED DAMAGES $0

Disclaimer: This calculator provides rough estimates for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Actual damages vary significantly based on specific facts, evidence strength, and many other factors. Consult with a qualified California attorney for an accurate case evaluation.

🔍 Evidence Checklist

Gather these materials before sending your demand letter.

📄 Contract Documents

✓ Signed contract or proposal
✓ Service description / package details
✓ Event date and timeline
✓ Cancellation / refund policy

💰 Payment Records

✓ Deposit receipt / confirmation
✓ All payments made (checks, CC, Venmo)
✓ Payment schedule / remaining balance
✓ Bank or credit card statements

📷 Evidence of Breach

✓ Cancellation notice from vendor
✓ Photos/video of poor quality services
✓ Witness statements from guests
✓ Evidence of no-show or late arrival

📩 Communications

✓ Emails, texts with vendor
✓ Refund request and vendor response
✓ Vendor's excuses or justifications
✓ Social media posts by vendor

💰 Damages Calculation

Calculate your total claim using these categories.

Damage Category	Description	Evidence Needed
Deposit / Payments	All amounts paid to the vendor	Receipts, bank statements
Cover Costs	Emergency replacement services (excess over original)	Replacement vendor receipts
Related Losses	Wasted venue costs, guest expenses if event cancelled	Receipts, contracts
Emotional Distress	Mental anguish from ruined special occasion	Personal testimony, photos
Prejudgment Interest	10% per year from breach date	Date of breach, demand amount

💖 Example: Wedding Photographer No-Show

Photography package paid: $4,500
Emergency replacement photographer: $2,000 (above original price: $0)
Lost coverage (no photos of ceremony): Priceless moments lost
Emotional distress: $2,500 - $10,000 (jury question)
Prejudgment interest (1 year): $450
Total claim: $7,450 - $15,450

📝 Sample Demand Letter Language

Opening (Vendor Breach)

Sample: Vendor Cancellation

I am writing to demand a full refund of $[AMOUNT] paid to [VENDOR NAME] for [SERVICE TYPE] services. On [DATE], you notified me that you would not be performing the contracted services for my [EVENT TYPE] scheduled for [EVENT DATE].

Your cancellation constitutes breach of our contract dated [DATE]. Under California law, I am entitled to a full refund of all amounts paid, plus damages for any additional costs I incurred as a result of your breach.

No-Show Demand

Sample: No-Show on Event Day

On [EVENT DATE], you failed to appear to provide the contracted [SERVICE TYPE] services for my [WEDDING/EVENT]. Despite multiple attempts to contact you, you did not respond and did not provide the services I paid for.

Your no-show caused the following damages:

• Full payment for undelivered services: $[AMOUNT]
• Emergency replacement services: $[AMOUNT]
• Emotional distress from ruined [WEDDING/EVENT]: $[AMOUNT]

Under California law, including the principle established in Windeler v. Scheers Jewelers, emotional distress damages are recoverable when a vendor breaches a contract for personal services such as wedding services. Your breach caused me significant mental anguish and distress.

Deposit Recovery (Customer Cancelled)

Sample: Deposit Recovery

I am writing to demand a refund of my $[AMOUNT] deposit. I notified you of my cancellation on [DATE], which was [X MONTHS] before the event date of [EVENT DATE].

Under California Civil Code Section 1671, deposit forfeiture clauses are only enforceable if they represent a reasonable estimate of anticipated damages at the time of contracting. Your retention of the full $[AMOUNT] deposit is unreasonable because:

• You had [X MONTHS] to rebook the date
• [I understand you have rebooked my date / The date was a high-demand date likely to be rebooked]
• The deposit represents [X%] of the total contract, which exceeds reasonable anticipated damages

I demand a refund of at least $[AMOUNT] within fourteen (14) days.

Final Demand

Sample: Final Demand

I demand full payment of $[AMOUNT] within fourteen (14) calendar days of this letter, by [DATE]. Payment should be made by [PAYMENT METHOD].

If I do not receive payment by the deadline, I will pursue all available legal remedies without further notice, including:

• Filing a civil complaint for breach of contract
• Filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and relevant industry associations
• Posting detailed negative reviews documenting your breach
• Seeking all available damages including emotional distress and attorney's fees

👥 When to Hire an Event Services Attorney

Wedding and event vendor disputes often involve emotional stress alongside financial losses. Here's when you can handle matters yourself versus when professional help makes sense.

✅ May Handle Yourself When:

Dispute involves a single vendor under $3,000
Clear contract terms show the breach
Small claims court is an option in your jurisdiction
Vendor is local and responsive to communication
Documentation clearly supports your position

⚠️ Hire an Attorney When:

Total damages exceed $10,000
Multiple vendors breached contracts for the same event
Vendor has disappeared or is unresponsive
Contract contains confusing terms or arbitration clauses
You're considering a lawsuit beyond small claims
The vendor is threatening legal action against you
Emotional distress damages are significant
Business has gone bankrupt or closed

📊 Not Sure If You Need an Attorney?

Event service breaches can involve both financial losses and irreplaceable moments. Take our free assessment to determine whether your situation warrants professional legal assistance.

Take Free Assessment →

🚀 Next Steps

Gather all documentation – Contract, payments, communications, photos of breach
Calculate total damages – Include deposits, cover costs, emotional distress
Send demand via certified mail and email – Keep proof of delivery
Set 14-day deadline – Reasonable time for response
Credit card chargeback – If paid by card, dispute within 60-120 days
Post factual reviews – After deadline passes, document your experience publicly
Small claims court – Up to $12,500, ideal for event disputes

📚 Small Claims is Ideal for Event Disputes

Most event service disputes fall within California's $12,500 small claims limit. Advantages:

No attorney required (or allowed)
Fast resolution (usually within 30-70 days)
Filing fee under $100
Judges are familiar with wedding/event disputes
You can present photos, contracts, and testimony directly