Your Dream Wedding in Rochester Was Canceled Due to Injury—Now What?

You planned every little detail. The perfect venue, the dress, the flowers—everything was set for your big day. Then, out of nowhere, an injury changed everything. Instead of celebrating with family and friends, you're stuck dealing with canceled contracts, lost deposits, and the emotional gut-punch of watching your dream wedding slip away. It’s frustrating. It’s heartbreaking. And it’s expensive. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, personal injury lawyers may be able to help you recover the money you’ve lost.

But here’s the thing—you might not have to shoulder the financial burden alone. If a venue, vendor, or another party caused or contributed to the injury that derailed your wedding, you could have legal options. At Horn Wright, LLP, we help couples in situations just like yours fight for the compensation they deserve. Let’s take that stress off your shoulders and figure out what comes next.

Can You Hold a Venue or Vendor Accountable for Ruining Your Rochester Wedding?

When an injury forces you to cancel your wedding, it’s natural to wonder—who’s responsible? Could a venue or vendor be held accountable for the financial mess you’re in? The answer depends on the circumstances.

Was a Vendor or Venue Negligent?

If your injury happened because of unsafe conditions, careless mistakes, or faulty equipment, the venue or vendor might be liable. Some common scenarios include:

• Unsafe premises – If you suffered an injury due to hazardous conditions at the venue, such as unmarked wet floors, the venue might be liable under New York premises liability laws.
• Faulty equipment – If a DJ’s unstable lighting rig fell on you, causing a concussion, that’s not just bad luck—it could be negligence.
• Food poisoning from the caterer – If you and your guests suffered severe illness due to contaminated food, the catering company could be held accountable.

If a venue or vendor didn’t take proper precautions and that led to your injury, they could be responsible for the fallout—including your canceled wedding. Personal injury lawyers can help determine if negligence played a role in your case.

Did a Vendor Breach a Contract?

Maybe your injury wasn’t their fault, but a vendor still failed to deliver on their contract when you had to cancel. If they promised flexibility in certain situations and are now refusing a refund, you might have a breach of contract case.

• Some venues have medical cancellation clauses – If your contract allowed for refunds in case of emergencies but they’re refusing to honor it, that’s a red flag.
• Vendors who misled you – If a vendor said they’d work with you in case of an emergency but are now keeping your deposit, they might be in breach of contract.

In New York, the statute of limitations for breach of contract claims is six years for written contracts and four years for contracts involving the sale of goods (New York contract law).

Insurance Claims for Canceled Rochester Weddings—Will They Actually Pay?

If you got event cancellation insurance, you might assume you’re covered. But here’s the kicker—insurance companies love to deny claims. They’ll comb through your policy, looking for any excuse to avoid paying.

What Does Event Cancellation Insurance Cover?

Every policy is different, but most cover:

• Injuries that prevent the wedding from happening – If you or your fiancé are hurt badly enough that you physically can’t have the wedding, your policy should cover it.
• Vendor no-shows – If a key vendor bails at the last minute, some policies reimburse your costs.
• Extreme weather – If a blizzard makes travel impossible, you might be covered.

What If Your Claim Is Denied?

If your insurance company is refusing to pay, you’re not alone. Denials are way too common, and the reasoning is often flimsy. They might say:

• Your injury wasn’t “serious enough” – Even if a doctor told you to cancel, insurers might argue it wasn’t “unavoidable.”
• A technicality excludes your claim – They might dig up a vague clause to deny you.
• Your paperwork isn’t “sufficient” – They’ll look for missing details, hoping you’ll give up.

If that happens, don’t back down. Gather all the evidence you can—medical records, vendor cancellations, emails—and push back. Personal injury lawyers can challenge an unfair denial and make sure the insurance company plays fair.

Lost Thousands in Non-Refundable Wedding Deposits? Here’s What You Can Do

Weddings aren’t cheap, and venues and vendors aren’t known for their generosity when things go wrong. When an injury forces you to cancel, you could lose thousands in deposits.

What Deposits Could You Lose?

Potential non-refundable deposits include:

• Venue reservations – Most Rochester venues require a $3,000-$5,000 deposit, often non-refundable after a certain date.
• Catering services – Some caterers require a minimum spend of $8,000-$15,000, even if no food is served.
• Photography and videography retainers – Many photographers require a 50% deposit, and some refuse refunds.

Can Contracts Protect You?

It depends on what you signed. Some contracts have medical cancellation clauses, which could help you recover some of your money. Others might have ambiguous terms, meaning there’s room to negotiate—or even take legal action. If a vendor is keeping your money unfairly, you may have legal options to fight back.

Horn Wright, LLP Can Help You Move Forward

Canceling your wedding isn’t just disappointing—it’s overwhelming, stressful, and expensive. But you don’t have to deal with it alone. At Horn Wright, LLP, our personal injury lawyers fight for couples who’ve been unfairly left with the financial and emotional burden of a canceled wedding.

We’re proud to be recognized as one of the best law firms in America, standing up for people just like you when the unexpected happens. If you’re dealing with lost deposits, insurance disputes, or vendor negligence, let’s talk. We’re here to help you take the next steps toward justice. Contact us today for a consultation.