Every wedding contract signed since 2020 has a force majeure clause. Most couples sign without reading it. Here''s what triggers it and what doesn''t under Texas law.
What typically triggers force majeure
- Government-ordered shutdowns (pandemic orders, state of emergency with gathering limits).
- Natural disasters: hurricanes, severe flooding, tornados. Dallas County activation of emergency protocols.
- Acts of war or terrorism.
- Venue becoming uninhabitable: fire, structural damage, utility failure affecting the event.
What usually doesn''t trigger it
- A rainy day at an outdoor venue with no tent.
- Scheduling conflict the vendor created.
- Supplier issues (florist couldn''t get peonies — that''s the vendor''s problem, not yours).
- Staffing shortages on the vendor''s side.
- One sick vendor unless it''s a solo owner-operator with no backup.
Two-sided nature
Force majeure usually protects BOTH parties. The venue isn''t obligated to perform; the client isn''t obligated to pay the balance. The negotiation typically centers on:
- Retained deposit: venue keeps some or all of it.
- Rebook credit: client gets X months to reschedule at the same rate.
- Partial refund: depends on how much the venue has already spent on your event.
Read the specific remedy language in your contract. "100% non-refundable in all circumstances including force majeure" is increasingly being struck down as unconscionable by Texas courts post-2020.
The rescheduling reality
If force majeure triggers a reschedule:
- Most Dallas-Fort Worth venues honor the original rate for reschedule within 12 months.
- Peak-season dates (October, April-May) often require a premium or limited availability.
- Vendors follow the venue. If you move, your vendors move — and most have reasonable reschedule policies too.
What to do when force majeure might apply
- Don''t cancel unilaterally. Send a written notice invoking force majeure with the specific trigger cited.
- Confirm in writing the vendor''s position. Do they agree force majeure applies?
- Negotiate remedies: reschedule date, applicable deposits, any additional payments required.
- Document everything: news articles, government orders, weather service advisories that support the trigger.
Insurance interplay
If you have wedding insurance, force majeure events are usually covered. File the claim as soon as the trigger becomes apparent. Most carriers require notice within 48–72 hours.
Sources: Texas Law Help — Force Majeure, Texas State Law Library — Contract Enforceability.