Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your area.
Your wedding day should be memorable for the right reasons. When vendors fail to deliver what they promised, it can ruin your celebration and cost thousands of dollars. The Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Protection Bureau provides resources for resolving service disputes. Understanding your rights helps you recover what you've lost.
Time-Sensitive: Wedding services can't be redone. If a photographer misses your ceremony or a caterer no-shows, the damage is done. Focus on compensation, not just refunds.
Common Wedding Vendor Problems
Photographer/Videographer Issues
- No-show or late arrival
- Missing key moments
- Poor quality photos/video
- Lost or damaged files
- Failure to deliver album/prints
- Images look nothing like portfolio
Venue Problems
- Double booking
- Facilities not as described
- Hidden fees after signing
- Cancellation by venue
- Venue closure or bankruptcy
- Inadequate setup or service
Catering Issues
- Food not as ordered
- Insufficient portions
- Late service or no-show
- Food quality/safety issues
- Missing items
- Service staff problems
Other Vendor Failures
- Florist: Wrong flowers, wilted arrangements
- DJ/Band: No-show, wrong music
- Baker: Cake issues, late delivery
- Officiant: Failure to appear
- Transportation: Late or no-show
Prevention Before the Wedding
Contract Essentials
- Detailed description of services
- Specific delivery dates/times
- Payment schedule
- Cancellation and refund policy
- Backup plan if vendor unavailable
- What happens if they fail to perform
Research Vendors
- Read recent reviews thoroughly
- Check BBB and complaint history
- Ask for references
- Verify insurance and licenses
- Search for lawsuits or complaints
Payment Protection
- Pay by credit card when possible
- Avoid large upfront deposits
- Final payment after performance
- Get receipt for all payments
Red Flags: Vendors who demand full payment upfront, won't provide written contracts, or have inconsistent reviews should raise concerns.
When Things Go Wrong
Document Immediately
- Photos and videos of problems
- Written notes with times
- Witness statements
- Communications with vendor
- Receipts and contracts
Contact Vendor First
- Put complaint in writing
- Reference specific contract terms
- State what you expect (refund, redo, etc.)
- Set reasonable deadline
- Keep copies of all communications
Escalation Steps
- Formal demand letter
- Credit card dispute
- BBB complaint
- State consumer protection
- Wedding industry boards
- Small claims court
Calculating Damages
What You Can Recover
- Direct costs: What you paid the vendor
- Replacement costs: Hiring emergency replacement
- Consequential damages: Other costs caused by failure
- Emotional distress: Some states allow in extreme cases
Photography Specific
- Full refund if photos unusable
- Cost to reshoot (if possible)
- Value of lost memories (subjective)
- Re-staging photos if feasible
Venue/Catering Specific
- Full or partial refund
- Emergency vendor costs
- Guests' ruined experience value
- Additional expenses incurred
Keep Receipts: Document every extra expense caused by vendor failure. Emergency florist, rushed cake order, last-minute DJ - all recoverable.
Credit Card Disputes
Strong Grounds for Chargebacks
- Services not rendered
- Services materially different from agreement
- Vendor went out of business
- Quality far below what was promised
Chargeback Process
- Contact credit card company
- Provide contract showing what was promised
- Document what was (or wasn't) delivered
- Include communications with vendor
- File within 60-120 days
Small Claims Court
When It Makes Sense
- Amount within small claims limit
- Clear contract breach
- Strong documentation
- Vendor still in business
- Chargeback denied or partial
What to Bring
- Signed contract
- Photos/video of problems
- Communications with vendor
- Payment receipts
- Guest witness statements
- Damage calculation
Specific Vendor Situations
Photographer Didn't Deliver
- Timeline in contract for delivery
- Send deadline reminder
- Demand letter with final deadline
- Photos are irreplaceable - full refund warranted
Venue Cancelled
- Full deposit refund required
- May owe difference for new venue
- Document all extra costs
- Some states have specific venue laws
Vendor Bankruptcy
- Credit card dispute immediately
- File claim with bankruptcy court
- Check if they had insurance
- Report to state AG
Wedding Insurance: Consider wedding insurance that covers vendor no-shows and cancellations. It's often inexpensive and can save thousands.
Reviews and Reputation
Writing Reviews
- Stick to facts
- Document specific failures
- Avoid emotional language
- Include resolution (or lack thereof)
- Update if resolved
Where to Post
- Google Business
- Wedding Wire
- The Knot
- Yelp
- BBB (formal complaint)
- Social media
Get Your Wedding Refund
Generate a demand letter for wedding vendor disputes and service failures.
Create Your Letter