Wedding Vendor Dispute Calculator

Note: this calculator provides a general, informational estimate only — not legal advice about what you'd actually recover.

What This Calculator Actually Does

It estimates what you may be owed after a wedding or event vendor problem — a deposit kept after a cancellation, a no-show, or work that fell well short of what was promised — by weighing what you paid against what was actually delivered. For the fuller picture of how these disputes are typically proven, see wedding and event vendor disputes.

What You'll Need to Use It

What you paid the vendor in total, including any deposit.
What, if anything, the vendor actually delivered.
The cost of any replacement vendor hired on short notice.
The relevant terms of your contract, particularly around cancellation and refunds.

Free

Consultation Available

BA, JD

Site Managed by Ryan Manilla

$50K

Small Claims Limit

Deposits, Cancellations, and What the Contract Says

Whether a deposit should be refunded generally comes down to the contract's specific cancellation terms and who cancelled — many vendor contracts include non-refundable deposit clauses that are generally enforceable when the client cancels. Those terms are typically built around cancellation, though, not around the vendor failing to show up or perform, so a no-show or serious non-performance puts the vendor in a much weaker position to keep what was paid. See wedding and event vendor disputes for how this plays out, and the security deposit claim calculator for a closer look at deposit-specific claims.

What to Do With the Result

Once you have a concrete figure, sending a documented demand for reimbursement is usually the next step — see the demand letter builder. If the total is approaching Small Claims Court's limit or you're ready to move forward, start a claim walks through what comes next.

Official sources

ontario.ca: Suing Someone in Small Claims Court — the official overview, including the current monetary limit.
Guide to Small Claims Court Process — the official step-by-step process guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this calculator free to use?

Yes — it's provided as a free informational tool, with no account or payment required.

Can I claim a deposit the vendor refuses to refund?

Often yes, especially if the vendor cancelled or failed to perform — the specific contract terms matter.

What if my contract has a strict no-refund clause?

A no-refund clause doesn't automatically bar a claim, particularly if the vendor didn't perform at all or performed very differently from what was promised — read your contract carefully.

How do I prove the work was substandard?

Photos or videos of the actual result, the contract or booking confirmation describing what was promised, and any written complaints you made to the vendor are the strongest evidence.

Wedding Vendor Dispute Calculator