The Force Majeure Clause in a Wedding Contract, Explained
If you’ve been in the wedding industry for more than a minute, you already know: no contract can anticipate everything. If it did, it would be 30 pages long, and no client would ever read it.
That’s where the force majeure clause comes in. It’s a legal safety net that protects you when something out of your control makes it impossible (or unsafe) to perform. But before we dive into what that should look like, let’s break down a few key points.
What Exactly Is Force Majeure?
“Force majeure” is French for “superior force.” Practically, it means an unforeseeable event that prevents someone from being able to fulfill their contract.
Common examples include:
Severe weather (aka “Acts of God”)
Pandemics or epidemics
Government actions (like shutdowns)
Personal crises such as illness, accidents, or a death in the family
Here’s the kicker: force majeure only covers what your contract defines as a force majeure event. If it’s not listed, you’re not protected.
Are Tariffs or Rising Costs Covered?
Short answer: nope — unless your contract specifically says so.
While higher flower prices or airfare increases are a headache, they don’t make it impossible for you to perform. You may not want to absorb those extra costs, but you technically still can.
That’s why instead of trying to shoehorn “tariffs” or “inflation” into your force majeure clause, I recommend addressing rising costs elsewhere in your contract:
Materials and product costs: Give clients the option to either pay the higher price or make substitutions.
Travel costs: Make travel reimbursement-based instead of a flat fee, so you don’t get stuck covering price hikes.
The 3 Parts Every Force Majeure Clause Needs
A strong force majeure provision should cover three things:
Definition: What counts as a force majeure event?
Obligations: What happens to your responsibilities when it occurs?
Money: What happens to deposits and payments? (Your clause should say who gets what back.)
3 Scenarios Your Contract Should Address
Force majeure doesn’t just apply to the wedding day itself. Think broader:
The event is impacted: Rescheduling/cancellation provisions should kick in
The planning process is disrupted: For instance, if someone goes silent because of illness or a family emergency
The event goes on, but you can’t: If you’re too sick to work or can’t safely show up, your contract should outline next steps (substitution, refund, or release of obligations).
Can You Add This to Existing Contracts?
Technically yes, you can add a force majeure clause to your contract after it’s been signed, but it’s poor form to change the deal mid-relationship. Clients don’t have to sign a new contract or amendment.
Instead, use good judgement. If you know a client would be receptive, have the conversation. Otherwise, update your template moving forward so you’re protected next time.
The Bottom Line
Force majeure clauses aren’t about naming every possible disaster (no one saw “global pandemic” coming until 2020). They’re about striking a balance: broad enough to protect you, clear enough to enforce, and fair enough for clients to understand.
When in doubt, build your contracts around flexibility, collaboration, and protection — for both you and your clients.
Want a sample clause you can use? Join my mailing list, and I’ll send you wording you can adapt for your own contracts.