X Common Wedding Catering Disasters
Wedding catering failures can turn your dream day into a nightmare. If your caterer did any of the following, you have a strong claim for breach of contract and damages:
Complete No-Show
The caterer simply didn't appear on your wedding day, leaving you scrambling for emergency food while guests waited hungry.
Wrong Food/Menu Delivered
You ordered prime rib and got chicken nuggets. The menu you carefully selected and paid for was completely different from what was served.
Insufficient Quantity
Not enough food for your guest count. People went hungry, portions were tiny, or food ran out before everyone was served.
Food Quality Issues
Cold food that should be hot, undercooked meat, stale bread, wilted salads, or food that was clearly prepared days in advance.
Food Poisoning
Multiple guests became ill after eating the wedding food. This is a serious health code violation with potential strict liability.
Dietary Failures
Promised vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-safe options weren't provided, leaving guests unable to eat or risking health emergencies.
Late Service
Food arrived hours late, disrupting your entire schedule. Dinner during dancing, cold food, or guests leaving before being fed.
Food Poisoning? Act Immediately
If guests got sick, report to your county health department within 24-48 hours. Preserve any leftover food in the freezer as evidence. Collect written statements from affected guests and document all medical treatment.
S California Laws That Protect You
California Health & Safety Code 113700+ (California Retail Food Code)
Caterers must comply with food safety regulations including proper food handling, temperature control, sanitation, and licensing requirements. Violations can result in liability even without proving negligence, and repeated violations may support punitive damages.
Civil Code 3300 - Contract Damages
For breach of contract, "the measure of damages is the amount which will compensate the party aggrieved for all the detriment proximately caused thereby." This includes not just the catering cost, but all consequential damages from the failed performance.
Business & Professions Code 17200 - Unfair Competition Law
Unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent business practices are actionable. A caterer who takes deposits and fails to perform, operates without proper licensing, or engages in deceptive practices may face additional liability and you may recover attorney fees.
Strict Liability for Food Poisoning
Under California product liability law, serving contaminated food can create strict liability - meaning the caterer is liable even if they weren't negligent. You only need to prove the food caused the illness, not that they did something wrong.
Unlicensed Caterers = Stronger Claims
If your caterer operated without proper licensing or health permits, this strengthens your claim significantly. Check with your county health department to verify their licensing status and request any inspection records.
$ What You Can Recover
California law allows you to recover all damages caused by the caterer's breach of contract and any negligence or food safety violations:
Typical Damage Amounts
| Damage Type | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Full catering refund | $3,000 - $20,000 |
| Emergency replacement food | $500 - $3,000 |
| Food poisoning medical bills | $500 - $10,000+ |
| Guest compensation | Variable |
| Ruined reception damages | $2,000 - $10,000 |
Complete List of Recoverable Damages
- Full refund of catering costs - All deposits and payments for failed service
- Emergency replacement food - Pizza delivery, restaurant takeout, whatever you scrambled to get
- Medical expenses - Doctor visits, ER bills, medications for food poisoning
- Lost wages - Time off work due to illness from contaminated food
- Guest compensation - If you reimbursed guests for their travel/expenses due to ruined event
- Re-celebration costs - If you held a make-up dinner or event
- Emotional distress - In egregious cases (complete no-show, severe food poisoning)
- Punitive damages - For willful misconduct, fraud, or knowing health code violations
@ Demand Letter Template
Send this letter via certified mail with return receipt requested. Keep a copy for your records.
DEMAND FOR COMPENSATION - WEDDING CATERING BREACH OF CONTRACT
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, CA ZIP]
[Phone]
[Email]
[Date]
VIA CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
[Caterer Name / Company Name]
[Company Address]
[City, CA ZIP]
Re: Demand for Compensation - Wedding Catering Breach of Contract
Event Date: [Wedding Date]
Venue: [Venue Name and Address]
Contract Date: [Date Contract Signed]
Dear [Caterer Name]:
I am writing to demand compensation for your material breach of our catering contract for my wedding reception held on [Wedding Date] at [Venue Name].
CONTRACT TERMS:
On [Contract Date], we entered into a catering agreement for my wedding reception. The contract specified:
- Guest count: [Number] guests
- Menu: [Describe agreed menu - e.g., "three-course plated dinner including filet mignon, salmon, and vegetarian options"]
- Service time: [e.g., "Dinner service from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM"]
- Dietary accommodations: [e.g., "10 gluten-free meals, 5 vegan options"]
- Total contract price: $[Amount]
- Amount paid: $[Amount paid including deposits]
BREACH OF CONTRACT:
You materially breached this contract in the following ways:
[Select and customize applicable failures:]
1. [NO-SHOW: "You failed to appear at the venue entirely. Despite confirmed arrangements and full payment, no catering staff, food, or equipment arrived. We were forced to arrange emergency food for [X] guests at the last minute."]
2. [WRONG MENU: "The food delivered bore no resemblance to our contracted menu. Instead of [contracted items], guests were served [what was actually served]. This was not the food we selected at our tasting or specified in our contract."]
3. [INSUFFICIENT QUANTITY: "Despite contracting for [X] guests, you provided food sufficient for approximately [Y] guests. Many guests received no food or inadequate portions."]
4. [FOOD QUALITY: "The food served was [describe: cold, undercooked, spoiled, stale, etc.]. Multiple guests complained about [specific issues]. This was far below the quality demonstrated at our tasting."]
5. [FOOD POISONING: "Multiple guests became ill after consuming your food, including [describe symptoms and number affected]. This has been reported to [County] Health Department. Medical documentation is attached."]
6. [DIETARY FAILURES: "Despite clear contract specifications for [dietary requirements], these options were not provided, leaving [X] guests unable to eat safely."]
7. [LATE SERVICE: "Food did not arrive until [time], [X] hours after the contracted service time, completely disrupting our reception schedule."]
IMPACT:
Your failures ruined what should have been one of the most important days of our lives. [Describe specific impact: guests going hungry, schedule disrupted, embarrassment, illness, etc.]
DAMAGES:
As a direct result of your breach, I have incurred the following damages:
Full Catering Refund: $[Amount]
Emergency Replacement Food: $[Amount]
[If applicable] Medical Expenses: $[Amount]
[If applicable] Lost Wages: $[Amount]
[Other documented damages]: $[Amount]
TOTAL DAMAGES: $[Total Amount]
DEMAND:
I hereby demand payment of $[Total Amount] within thirty (30) days of the date of this letter. This demand is made pursuant to California Civil Code Section 3300, which entitles me to all damages proximately caused by your breach.
[If food poisoning:] Please be advised that I have filed a complaint with the [County] County Health Department regarding the food safety violations that resulted in guest illness.
If I do not receive payment within 30 days, I will pursue all available legal remedies, including filing suit in [Small Claims Court if under $12,500 / Superior Court if over], where I will seek not only the above damages but also attorney fees, costs of suit, and any other relief available under law, including potential claims under Business & Professions Code Section 17200.
Please contact me at [Phone/Email] to arrange payment or discuss resolution.
Sincerely,
_______________________________
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
Enclosures:
- Catering contract dated [Date]
- Menu specifications and tasting notes
- Payment receipts totaling $[Amount]
- Photographs of food served (or lack thereof)
- Guest statements (if applicable)
- Medical records and bills (if food poisoning)
- Emergency food receipts
- Communications with caterer
cc: [County] Health Department (if food safety issue)
Better Business Bureau
[Your attorney, if applicable]
🖩 Wedding Catering Damages Calculator
Use this interactive calculator to estimate potential damages in your case. Enter your information below to get an estimate of recoverable damages.
📈 Estimated Damages Breakdown
Direct Damages
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Consequential Damages
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Emotional Distress (Est.)
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Statutory Penalties (Est.)
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TOTAL ESTIMATED DAMAGES
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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 to Gather Before Sending
- Catering contract and menu specifications - The signed agreement detailing what was promised
- Payment receipts - All deposits, payments, credit card statements
- Photos of food served (or not served) - Document empty tables, wrong food, quality issues
- Guest statements - Written accounts from attendees about food problems
- Medical records - If any guests experienced food poisoning
- Communication with caterer - Emails, texts, voicemails before, during, and after
- Tasting notes vs. actual delivery - If you did a tasting, document the difference
- Emergency food receipts - Pizza delivery, restaurant orders, whatever you scrambled to get
- Venue timeline - Showing when food was supposed to arrive vs. when it did
- Video footage - Wedding videographer may have captured the problems
Preserve Food Evidence for Poisoning Cases
If guests got sick, freeze any leftover food immediately. The health department may want to test it. Also save any food packaging, labels, or containers that came from the caterer.
> What Happens After You Send the Letter
Days 1-7: Caterer Receives Letter
They'll likely contact you to discuss. Some will immediately offer a partial refund to avoid further action.
Days 7-21: Negotiation Period
Most legitimate caterers (or their insurance) will negotiate. Document all communications in writing.
Days 21-30: Settlement or Escalation
If they're cooperative, you may reach a settlement. If not, prepare for the next steps.
Day 30+: If No Resolution
File in Small Claims Court (up to $12,500) or Superior Court for larger amounts. File health department complaint if applicable.
Small Claims Court is Wedding-Dispute Friendly
California Small Claims Court handles up to $12,500 (or $6,250 for businesses). No lawyers needed, filing fee is under $100, and judges are very sympathetic to wedding disasters with clear contract breaches.
? Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue my wedding caterer for bad food?
Yes. California law allows you to sue for breach of contract under Civil Code 3300, recovering all damages caused by their failure. This includes the catering cost, emergency replacement food, and consequential damages. If they violated health codes or engaged in deceptive practices, you may have additional claims under the California Retail Food Code and Business & Professions Code 17200.
What if guests got food poisoning at my wedding?
Food poisoning is serious and may involve strict liability - the caterer can be liable even without proving negligence. Document all affected guests with statements, collect medical records, report to the county health department immediately, and preserve any leftover food. Damages can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and potentially punitive damages.
What if the caterer just didn't show up?
A no-show is a complete breach entitling you to substantial damages: full refund of all payments, cost of emergency replacement food (even if more expensive), and consequential damages for disrupting your wedding. Document everything with timestamps, witness statements, and receipts for any emergency food.
Can I recover damages beyond the catering cost?
Yes. Under Civil Code 3300, you're entitled to all damages "proximately caused" by the breach. This includes emergency food costs, guest compensation, ruined reception damages, and costs for re-doing celebrations. In cases of willful misconduct or fraud, punitive damages may also be available.
What evidence do I need for a catering dispute?
Strong evidence includes: the catering contract and menu, all payment receipts, photos of what was served vs. promised, guest statements, medical records for food poisoning, all communications with the caterer, tasting notes vs. actual delivery, and a timeline of failures.
Should I report the caterer to the health department?
Yes, especially for food safety issues, food poisoning, or unlicensed operators. File with your county health department and the California Department of Public Health. This creates official records supporting your claim, may reveal prior violations, and protects future consumers. For deceptive practices, also file with the California Attorney General.
Catering Disaster Ruined Your Wedding? I Can Help.
For large claims, food poisoning cases, or uncooperative caterers, I can assist with demand letters, negotiations, and litigation.
Contact: owner@terms.lawC Schedule a Consultation
For complex catering disputes, food poisoning cases, or claims over $10,000, book a call to discuss your options.
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