Cancelling a Contract: Cancellation and Termination Clauses in Wedding Contracts

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As a wedding planner, photographer, videographer, venue, or other wedding pro, you know that having a clear contract with your clients is essential. One of the most important parts of a contract is the termination clause—this section explains when and how either you or your client can end the contract if something is going off the rails.

Think of it as kind of a “prenup” for your event clients.

And if you’ve ever had to terminate a client, you know how important these clauses can be— especially when it comes to MONEY, honey. Because the last thing you want is to be responsible for paying back a nonrefundable “deposit”— along with ADDITIONAL fees that your clients might incur having to grab a new vendor 🙀

Types of Termination Clauses

There are two main types of termination clauses in contracts: termination for cause and termination for convenience.

1. Termination for Cause

A termination for cause clause allows one side to end the contract if the other side breaks an important part of the agreement. Some terminations for cause you might want to include:

  • Not paying fees owed for services on their due dates

  • Harassment or verbal/ physical assault

  • The client not responding, answering emails, and generally making your job difficult

  • The client electing to hold an even at a facility you find objectionable, like a plantation

  • Going bankrupt or doing something illegal

2. Termination for Convenience

A termination for convenience clause allows either side to end the contract for any reason, without needing a specific problem to trigger it. This gives both you and your client flexibility to end the contract if circumstances change.

How to Negotiate Termination Clauses

When negotiating a contract, it’s smart to think about what you might need if you or your client wants to end the relationship early. Here are a few tips:

  • Assess Risks: Think about what could go wrong and how the termination clause might protect you if issues arise.

  • Consider Flexibility: Imagine different scenarios where you might want to end the contract early and think about how much flexibility you need.

  • Be Clear and Specific: Make sure the contract language is easy to understand and leaves no room for confusion about each party’s responsibilities.

But don’t forget force majeure

Another possible reason to end a contract that isn’t really for cause OR convenience is a force majeure event, which means a big, unexpected event that neither party can control—like a natural disaster (Hurricane Helene, anyone?) or a government lockdown (Hellooooo COVID!). This type of clause helps cover what happens if an unforeseen event prevents either side from completing their work when it’s not their fault. It’s not meant to cover things that make your job harder (or makes it more difficult for the client to pay) but it does cover unexpected things that make it impossible or impractical to act.

Important Parts of a Termination Clause

A good termination clause can help avoid confusion or disputes with your clients in an already stressful situation. In addition to the reasons to terminate “for cause” and “for convenience,” you’ll also want to include:

  • “Cure” Period: Think about this as the “fix it” period. This is a set time (for example, 14 days) for a other party to fix a problem before the contract can be officially ended. For instance, if a client misses a payment, they would have a chance to pay up before termination.

  • Dispute Resolution: Consider adding a way to resolve disagreements—like through mediation—to avoid court if possible.

  • Notice Requirements: Set a timeframe and delivery method for notifying the other party if you’re ending the contract (e.g., giving 30 days’ notice by certified mail). Make sure you’re following this, or a termination might not be considered effective!

  • Consequences of Termination: Outline what happens if the contract is ended early. For example, if someone cancels “for convenience,” do they have to pay an early termination fee? Do they get their retainer back? What about other payments already made? What if they want to reschedule?

  • Post-Termination Obligations: Explain what each party still needs to do after the contract ends, such as paying final bills, reimbursing expenses, or returning documents or items owned by the other party.

If this seems like a lot to think about, no worries— we’ve done it for you in all of our service contracts for wedding pros. We’ve covered all this and more to make sure you’re in the best possible position if— or when— things get messy!