Planning your wedding is an exciting time! Though don’t be fooled, there is a serious side to it. With so much going on, it’s easy to sign a contract after giving it only a quick glance. Instead, you should approach contract reading with your undivided attention.

 Here are a few tips on what to look out for. 

READ THE ENTIRE THING

– Don’t let a single world slip by.

– Look for typos, double and triple-check dates and times, and be sure everything you’ve discussed in person is included in the contract. Your wedding is an investment to your future, so it’s important you have read all of the T&C’s before signing your life away.

CHECK FOR RED FLAGS

What are red flags you ask? Here are a few to give you an idea:

• – A contract full of confusing clauses.
• – The vendor not providing you with a contract at all!
• – Missing important documents.

After reading the contract, write down any questions you have for your vendors you want them to clarify. You don’t want to be blindsided by unexpected charges. If they have no contract at all, do not hire them. If something goes wrong you have no legal protection.

OUTLINE EXACTLY WHAT YOU WILL GET

Be sure to get a clear answer from every vendor about what exactly is included in your contract, and don’t be afraid to ask your vendors to provide you with an itemised list of everything you get. A fee breakdown is a handy thing to know, at the end of the day it’s your money and you are paying for the service, you have the right to know where your money is going and what it will get you.

FEES AND PAYMENT

Deposits:

The deposit may be a flat fee or a percentage of the vendor’s total cost. What’s most important to understand here are how much you’re paying and whether that deposit is refundable or not.

Full upfront payments:

Service providers typically charge a deposit to protect themselves in the event that they face cancellations, but a full upfront charge is not necessary. We all know things can change in the lead up to a wedding or event, guests can pull out or you may want to add or remove certain features, so you want the amount you pay to reflect those changes. don’t be scared to clarify any upfront payments before signing the contract. Remember, what you sign for is what you get.

LOOK FOR ADDITIONAL FEES AND COSTS

We are talking added GST, delivery charges, travel fees, cleaning fees and late return fees. Taxes or service fees on big-ticket items, like catering and florals, can end up being a hefty chunk of your budget, as can the replacement of damaged items, so be sure you check for extra or hidden costs before you sign so you know what you are up for. It’s also a good idea to incorporate these charges into your budget.

CANCELLATION CLAUSES

You never know what life will throw your way—so pay close attention to cancellation clauses, even if you don’t think they’ll affect you. Know exactly what you are up against in case the unexpected happens.

 GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING

We are all busy people, and we all forget things! Like anything in life, verbal contracts aren’t viable, and weddings/events aren’t cheap. So be sure you ask for every agreement between you and your vendors to be documented in writing to ensure you get what you paid for.

 UNDERSTAND VENDOR MEALS AND ACCOMMODATION

This is something that we tend not to think about when planning a wedding, but when you do think about it, do you really expect your Photographer, Videorapher, DJ, or Coordinator to work for non stop for 8-12 hours straight on an empty stomach?

 Make sure you check to see if your vendors have included a meal in their contract, count ahead of time how many vendor meals you’ll need to provide, and make sure your caterer is aware of this number.

Vendors may also include other accommodations in their contract such as travel and/or hotel fees if they’re traveling from out of town.

BE THOROUGH, BUT NOT A TURTLE

While it’s encouraged to spend time looking over your contract, it’s also a good idea not to leave your vendors waiting too long. Your vendors time is precious, and they potentially have a number of other clients chasing their tails. We are sure you want to get in first and beat those other couples all to it, so what we are trying to say is, prioritise your contract reading!!

THE FINAL MUST DO’S

• Research ALL of your vendors – check their reviews and make sure they are legitimate.
• And be wary of unusual requests.