We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
When your planning your wedding there is an incredible amount of details that you need to be aware of. In this post we have highlighted 10 common things hidden in the Small print of your wedding contract. Terms and conditions that you may not be aware of that could cost you unexpectedly.
Related Posts:
- How to plan a wedding; the ultimate guide
- The Back-Up Plan: How To Avoid Wedding Nightmares
- FREE wedding budget checklist and guide
Poor communication, assumptions and loose arrangements have a habit of unravelling wedding plans and wedding contracts and terms and conditions are there to protect both parties.
Your wedding expenses are largely going to be split into two broad camps
1) buying products and goods such as your wedding dress and accessories etc.
2) Hire such as suppliers performing services for your wedding. Hairdressers, Entertainment or Hire of products.
Most of us are used to the buying process we buy products all the time. However when you are hiring the services of a hairdresser, a florist etc. You generally need to detail and agree the work that has to be done and when the work will be done. Often lax communication and assumptions between parties lead to upset when matters don’t go according to expectations.
What is a wedding contract?
Is a binding agreement between two parties, it is there to protect both parties if a dispute arises. When you hire suppliers and products you need to have a contract and there are some very good reasons why. It pays to always check the details of the contract or the terms and conditions the supplier will be working to. Before you agree anything there is the opportunity to negotiate better terms but you must do this before anything is signed for or money exchanges hands.
10 Things hidden in the small print
1.Minimum Numbers, look out for any extra charges that may apply if guest numbers fall below a set number.
2.Minimum Spend the venue may expect to recoup a set spend at the bar and you may be expected to cover any shortfall.
3.Cake cutting and serving charges especially if this is served in place of the dessert the venue would be hoping to supply.
4.Corkage fees are extra costs for bringing your own booze to be served at the venue.
5.Liability – You will be responsible for the behaviour of your guests. Ultimately any damage, loss or theft will end up at your door if the culprits don’t own up. That also includes when guests bring their own booze. A known issue in the hospitality industry.
6.Amending orders. For whatever reason you may need to amend the date of your wedding. Add extra guests, change food choices. This may or may not involve costs being incurred.
7.Typically when you order wedding stationery. You will be given a proof to approve once this is signed off any changes could incur costs. This will be detailed in your contract and a cost to look out for.
8.When you hire products you are responsible for any damage or loss make sure you are aware of any potential penalty.
9.Photography copyright does not belong to you make sure you check what you are getting for your money any any restrictions about usage of the images.
10.Overtime. If the wedding runs over ensure you know where you stand with suppliers on site. The photo booth may be hired for 2 hours but if the hire company can’t get it packed down you may end up being charged extra.
Wedding Advice
1.Always follow up any verbal meeting with your written instructions and always chase up the acknowledgement of this.
2.Some suppliers won’t supply you with a contract so always ask for their standard terms and conditions. In the absence of the supplier sending you a contract make sure you have all correspondence in writing.
3.Never pay cash deposits and never pay ahead of the contracted term. If the suppliers terms and conditions request full payment 4 weeks before this is when you pay. If you have money burning a hole in your pocket put together a wedding savings account.
In terms of your wedding contract it is vital to check that everything you expect to happen will happen and is included in your agreed price. Just remember that following your meeting the supplier should confirm back to you what they will be supplying. This gives you the opportunity to change anything before the final contract becomes binding. Therefore if anything has been missed off or misinterpreted this is the time to iron those details out.
