When your wedding DJ, band, or entertainment vendor cancels, no-shows, or fails to perform as promised, use this playbook to recover your deposits and damages through demand letters and small claims court.
Common DJ & Entertainment Disputes
Dispute Type
Typical Fee Range
Recovery Likelihood
DJ complete no-show
$800 - $3,500
High - full refund plus replacement costs
Last-minute cancellation
$1,000 - $4,000
High - includes premium replacement costs
Wrong music/ignored playlist
$500 - $2,000
Medium - partial refund typical
Equipment failure
$600 - $2,500
Medium-High - depends on impact
Sent substitute DJ without notice
$800 - $3,000
Medium - if substitute underperformed
Common DJ contract breaches
Complete failure to appear at the event.
Arriving late and missing key moments.
Equipment malfunction with no backup.
Ignoring song requests and do-not-play list.
Sending a different DJ than contracted.
Leaving before contracted end time.
What you should receive
The specific DJ you booked (or approved substitute).
Professional sound equipment in working order.
MC services if included in contract.
Adherence to your playlist and requests.
Full coverage for contracted hours.
Backup equipment for emergencies.
Document everything immediately: Get video of the empty DJ booth, record the silence or makeshift music, collect guest statements, and screenshot any last-minute text messages. This evidence is critical for your claim.
Legal Framework for Entertainment Contracts
Contract Law Principles
Material breach: A DJ no-show or cancellation is a total breach entitling you to full refund and consequential damages.
Substantial performance: A DJ who shows up but performs poorly may owe partial refund based on diminished value.
Anticipatory breach: If the DJ cancels before your event, you can immediately demand refund without waiting for the event date.
Types of Recoverable Damages
Direct damages: Full refund of all deposits and payments for services not rendered.
Consequential damages: Cost of emergency replacement DJ, equipment rental, premium pricing for last-minute booking.
Incidental damages: Time spent finding replacement, phone calls, transportation to get equipment.
Diminished value: If substitute entertainment was inferior to what was contracted.
Substitute Performance Issues
Many DJ contracts allow for substitute DJs, but only with comparable skill and notice.
Sending an unqualified substitute without consent is a breach.
You may reject a substitute and demand refund if the substitution materially changes the deal.
The original DJ remains liable for substitute's poor performance.
Small Claims Court Thresholds
State
Small Claims Limit
Filing Fee
California
$12,500
$30 - $75
Texas
$20,000
$50 - $100
New York
$10,000
$15 - $20
Florida
$8,000
$50 - $300
Illinois
$10,000
$50 - $150
Most DJ disputes fit small claims: Because DJ fees typically range from $800-$4,000, most disputes fall well within small claims limits. This allows you to pursue your claim without hiring an attorney.
Documentation Checklist
Contract Documents
Signed DJ/entertainment contract.
Service details: hours, setup time, equipment list.
Song requests and do-not-play lists.
Timeline for announcements and special songs.
Payment Records
Deposit receipts and payment confirmations.
Credit card or Venmo/PayPal records.
Any receipts for replacement entertainment.
Equipment rental receipts if applicable.
Evidence of Breach
Photos/videos of empty DJ booth or missing equipment.
Video recordings of the event showing no music or poor audio.
Screenshots of cancellation texts or messages.
Phone records showing attempted contact.
Venue staff statements about DJ absence or issues.
Performance Issues Evidence
Video showing DJ playing inappropriate music.
Guest statements about wrong songs or technical problems.
Your original playlist compared to what was actually played.
Photos of broken or inadequate equipment.
Records of DJ arriving late or leaving early.
Ask guests to help: Have guests who witnessed the problem write brief statements or send you their videos. Third-party evidence from wedding guests is very persuasive in small claims court.
Demand Letter Strategy
Tone and Approach
Be factual about the no-show or performance failure.
Describe the impact on your wedding or event.
Quantify all damages including replacement costs.
Set a firm deadline (10-14 days) for refund.
Key Letter Sections
Introduction: Identify yourself, the DJ/company, contract date, and event date.
Contract terms: State what services were promised, including specific DJ name if applicable.
Breach description: Detail the no-show, cancellation, or performance failures.
Impact: Explain how the breach affected your event.
Damages: Itemize fees paid, replacement costs, and other losses.
Demand: State exact amount and deadline.
Leverage Points
Reviews on The Knot, WeddingWire, Google, and Yelp.
Complaints to DJ associations (ADJA, WED Guild).
Better Business Bureau complaints.
Social media exposure (truthful posts only).
Referral to venue's preferred vendor list administrator.
Credit card dispute option: If you paid by credit card, you may be able to dispute the charge. However, send your demand letter first. Credit card disputes can take months, and the DJ may be more responsive to a direct demand.
Sample DJ No-Show Demand Letter
[Date]
Via Certified Mail and Email
[DJ/Company Owner Name]
[Company Name]
[Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Re: Demand for Refund - DJ Services Breach of Contract
Contract Date: [Date]
Event Date: [Wedding/Event Date]
Amount Due: $[Amount]
Dear [DJ/Company Owner Name]:
I am writing to demand the immediate return of $[Amount] paid to [Company Name] for DJ services that were not provided at my [wedding reception/event] on [Event Date].
BACKGROUND
On [Contract Date], I entered into a DJ services contract with [Company Name] for entertainment at my wedding reception on [Event Date] at [Venue Name]. The contract specified:
- DJ services from [start time] to [end time] ([X] hours)
- Setup completed by [time]
- MC services for introductions and announcements
- Professional sound system and lighting
- Specific DJ: [Name, if applicable]
I paid a deposit of $[Amount] on [Date] and the balance of $[Amount] on [Date], for a total of $[Total].
BREACH OF CONTRACT
[Choose applicable scenario:]
NO-SHOW: [DJ Name/Company] completely failed to appear at my wedding. Despite the contracted start time of [time], no DJ arrived. I attempted to contact you via [phone/text] at [times] with no response. My wedding reception proceeded without any professional entertainment, causing significant embarrassment and disappointment.
LAST-MINUTE CANCELLATION: On [Date], just [hours/days] before my wedding, you notified me that you could not perform as contracted. This last-minute cancellation left me scrambling to find replacement entertainment, which was [impossible/extremely difficult] given the short notice.
PERFORMANCE FAILURE: [DJ Name] arrived at my wedding but failed to perform as contracted:
- [Issue 1: e.g., "Arrived 90 minutes late, missing cocktail hour entirely"]
- [Issue 2: e.g., "Equipment failed during first dance with no backup"]
- [Issue 3: e.g., "Ignored our do-not-play list and played inappropriate songs"]
- [Issue 4: e.g., "Left at 9:00 PM instead of contracted 11:00 PM"]
MITIGATION AND DAMAGES
[For no-show/cancellation:]
We were forced to [describe mitigation: play music from a phone through small speakers / hire an emergency replacement DJ at premium cost / proceed with no music]. Despite our best efforts, the entertainment at our wedding was severely compromised.
My damages are as follows:
1. DJ fees paid: $[Amount]
2. Emergency replacement entertainment: $[Amount]
3. Speaker/equipment rental: $[Amount]
4. [Additional items as applicable]
TOTAL DAMAGES: $[Amount]
DEMAND
I demand that you pay $[Amount] within fourteen (14) days of this letter. Payment should be made by [check mailed to address / refund to original payment method / Venmo to (handle)].
If I do not receive full payment by [Deadline Date], I will:
1. File a claim in [County] Small Claims Court;
2. File complaints with the Better Business Bureau and ADJA;
3. Post truthful reviews on The Knot, WeddingWire, Google, and Yelp; and
4. Notify [Venue Name] to remove you from their preferred vendor list.
I have attached copies of the signed contract, payment receipts, and evidence of your failure to perform. I am willing to resolve this matter promptly, but will pursue all available remedies if you do not respond.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone]
Enclosures:
- DJ Services Contract dated [Date]
- Payment receipts totaling $[Amount]
- Screenshots of communications
- Photos/videos of event without DJ
- Guest statements
- Emergency replacement receipts
Legitimate emergencies may excuse performance, but the DJ must still return your deposit since services were not rendered. Many DJ contracts require backup arrangements for emergencies. If the DJ had no backup plan, that itself may be negligence. Focus your demand on return of fees rather than additional damages if the emergency was genuine.
Yes. Consequential damages including the premium cost of last-minute replacement entertainment are recoverable. Calculate the difference between what you paid the replacement DJ and what the original DJ would have cost, then add that to your deposit refund demand.
Attorney Services & Contact
DJ & Entertainment Dispute Resolution
I represent clients seeking to recover deposits and damages from DJs and entertainment vendors who no-showed, cancelled, or provided substandard services.
Email owner@terms.law or use Calendly for a paid strategy session.