Your venue wants a certificate. Your deposits need protecting.

When a vendor can't perform

California Civil Code 1511 excuses a failure to perform, or a delay in performing, to the extent it is caused by one of three things:

1. The act of the party the performance is owed to, or the operation of law. This applies even if the contract says it won't be an excuse, though the contract may require the party relying on it to give written notice within a reasonable time after the event.
2. An irresistible, superhuman cause, or acts of public enemies of California or the United States, unless the parties have expressly agreed otherwise.
3. The other party inducing the failure by an act intended or naturally tending to have that effect, done at or before the time performance was due and not rescinded.

The statute deals with being excused from performing. It doesn't say what happens to money you've already paid, and the second excuse gives way to whatever the parties expressly agreed. So read your vendor's force majeure clause closely. I look for:

• Which events are named, and whether government orders or venue closures are listed
• Whether you get a refund, a credit or only a new date
• How long a credit lasts and whether it can move to a different vendor
• Any written notice the clause requires, and the deadline for it

A vendor's excuse and your claim under a cancellation policy are separate questions; the policy has its own covered reasons and exclusions. If the reason is weather, illness or a vendor closing, tell me before you agree to a new date with anyone.

Getting married in a public park

Each park agency sets its own insurance terms. Four published California examples:

• California State Parks, Santa Cruz District (2026 special event guidelines): insurance is required when a commercial vendor, caterer or event planner is involved, or the event poses a greater risk. It says weddings generally shouldn't require insurance unless a band, tent setup or other out-of-the-ordinary activity is planned. When required, the certificate must be received at least 60 days before the event on an ACORD 25 form, with the permittee's name matching the insured, a $1,000,000 combined single limit per occurrence, and the State of California as certificate holder with set additional insured wording. Added names or wording get it returned for correction.
• California State Parks, San Diego Coast District: special event applicants need a certificate of at least $500,000 naming the State of California as additional insured, or a $1,000,000 combined single limit if the department decides the event creates greater hazard or liability. All forms and fees, including insurance, are due at least 30 calendar days before the event.
• County of San Luis Obispo (use permits for county property): $2,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate, written on an occurrence basis, not claims-made; host liquor liability if alcohol is supplied at no charge, with a wedding given as an example; an additional insured endorsement stating the coverage applies as primary; and a waiver of subrogation.
• El Dorado County Parks (facility rentals): liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 for all events, with the county named as additional insured in the county's set language. Failure to provide an adequate certificate and endorsement will result in cancellation of the event.

Get the park's current requirement in writing and send it to me as is. I match the certificate holder, the additional insured wording and the event date to it before the certificate goes out. If the park asks for host liquor, see host liquor vs. liquor liability. For other public events, see special event liability insurance.