Contract signed, buyers backed out, check cancelled

[Dnathan]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? AZ

We, as wedding videographers, had a couple sign our contract and write us a check. They have since cancelled the check and cannot be reached. We're stuck because we don't think we can book someone else for that date in case they use our contract against us. At the same time we feel they owe us the deposit, which is forfeited if they cancel (according to the contract). The deposit is $1000.

Do we oblige them to the contract? Can we collect their deposit?

Our contract says, "The 50% deposit is non-refundable, which is a protection for ******* from last minute cancellations, as not only do we lose the wedding, but all additional proposals for that date."

BTW, they cancelled the check and notified us through a third person before we tried to deposit it.

Thanks!

 

[FlyingRon]

Do you mean they stopped payment on the check before you cashed it?
Report them to the bad check department of your local police department and sue them in small claims.