Must I Sign Contracts with Wedding Vendors?

This is a question I am asked often. Those who tend to be very trusting of others, or may be intimidated by the verbiage in contracts may wonder why it’s necessary to have them. However, I believe, as do wedding professionals, that contracts for services requested are a MUST!

 

A Contract Outlines Exactly What You Are Purchasing 

Are you requesting something out of the ordinary from your venue (upgraded linens instead of standard linens for example)? Your contract outlines specifically what you are expecting your wedding vendor to provide. Look for these items in your contracts:  

• Date of event 
• Arrival Time
• Specific package/service/product (should be very descriptive)
• Amount of deposit needed to book services and whether or not it is non-refundable
• Payment schedule
• Cancellation policy
• Whether the vendor should be provided a hot meal on wedding day
• Date the final product (such as wedding videos) will be completed

Any special requests (even if your vendor has verbally agreed to do something special for you, if it’s not in writing, it may as well not exist!)

 

Pay special attention to the cancellation clause of your contract. In many cases, it will state that the initial deposit is non-refundable if the event is cancelled. This is to protect the vendor from loss and to compensate them for work performed to date. Keep in mind that once you booked your date with a vendor, they are probably turning down other business for the same date.

 

A Contract is a Means of Protecting Oneself

Because the contract is clear on what products and services are being provided, it is a reference in case you have an issue or concern with what has been received. If your florist agreed to provide calla lilies for your bouquets, and they are delivered with roses, you have recourse to request new bouquets! Because there are so many details to remember regarding your wedding, contracts are a great way to keep up with the specifics.

 

A Contract Should Be Read Carefully!

Don’t just gloss over the language and rush to sign! Read each clause of the contract carefully, and if you have questions, ask! A professional should be happy to explain each clause to you, so you fully understand what you are signing. Be leery of a contract that requires an extremely large payment upfront or of a vendor who cannot (or will not) address your concerns.

 

Read and ask questions! I can’t emphasize this enough! And make sure your contracts contain all of the specifics and special items requested before you sign. Don’t allow a vendor to intimidate you into signing something you don’t understand or something that is incomplete.

 

Happy Planning!

Dance Marriage Proposal

I am a sucker for cute marriage proposals....enjoy (compliments of YesBride)

http://yesbride.com/blog/2011/02/cute-dance-marriage-proposal/

Planning a Bachelor or Bachelorette Party

This blog post was inspired by the Bridgestone commercial from the 2010 Super Bowl (if you haven't seen it, check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sQBT3QOT9w).

The responsibility of planning of a bachelor or bachelorette party generally falls to members of the bridal party. It’s their job to ensure the bride and groom enjoy their last days of single-ness before they enter the world of wedding bliss. Here are few suggestions for planning:

What To Do For The Bride
If you are planning a bachelorette party for a bride, whether you decide to go wild or mild should fit the bride’s personality. So the planner should check with her on her preferences!

There are many directions that this celebration can take. The bride may want something low key, such as a dinner date with her bridesmaids and close female friends, a trip to the spa to relieve some of the stress of wedding planning, or even a weekend getaway to Las Vegas (complete with everything that goes on in Vegas) as a last hurrah! Brides, it’s important to remember that other people are planning (and paying for) this celebration for you, so keep their budget in mind. After all, they are also paying for a dress for your wedding, and may even be travelling to celebrate your special day.

If you are planning a party where you plan to drink, consider hiring a limo service or party bus to transport you from place to place. This will be one less thing to worry about on party night!

A bachelorette party is also a great time for bridesmaids to bond and get to know each other before the wedding, especially if they may not all know each other. Some great ideas for games, compliments of http://www.bachelorettepartyideas.net/ include: a scavenger hunt, a “How Well Do You Know the Bachelorette” game, and a “Pin the Macho on the Man” game (like “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.”)

What About The Guys?
When we think ‘bachelor party,’ our minds go to wild and crazy parties, with guys getting drunk and watching nude female dancers. But there’s more to bachelor parties than this! Other ideas for bachelor parties, from http://theplunge.com/, include a weekend trip to a sporting event, a fishing or camping trip, a poker party or a golf outing.

Co-Ed Parties
If the bride and groom can’t bear to be apart, a co-ed celebration may be in order! This is becoming a popular way for the entire bridal party to have fun together! And if you like, part of the day can be spent with guys and girls doing their own thing, with everyone coming together for dinner or an evening out. The possibilities are endless!


Brides and Grooms, be sure your bridal party is aware of your party preferences. If you know you will not enjoy a half-naked person dancing in front of you, make that fact known. Also, consider having your parties a week or more before the wedding. The night before your wedding really should be spend getting the rest you need for the day you’ve been planning for a long time!

Happy Planning!