Protecting Your Wedding Investment

For most couples, the wedding day will be one of the most expensive days of your life!  You MUST protect your money...your investment...when hiring vendors.  Of course using a wedding planner and their resources will always make the vendor search easier as they have done the hard research, but should you chose to go it alone, below are a few tips to make sure you don't fall for illegitimate businesses:

• Don't pay hefty deposits/retainers to secure services from vendors...basically all up front.  Legitimate businesses will seek a 10-50% up front to secure their services and usually the remaining balance will be broken into payments with the final due a week or two before the wedding.
   
• Get references before hiring.  Ask family and friends that have worked with the vendor about their experiences.  Also...read reviews, not just testimonials.
   
• Read the FINE PRINT!  I'm not a fan of fine print and don't have it as apart of my planning contract.  But some vendors do and you must review with a critical eye.  If it doesn't make sense...ask questions before signing on the dotted line.

• Know and UNDERSTAND the refund, cancellation and postponement policies before signing.
  
  
• If a vendor asks you for a deposit/retainer without you signing a contract...AVOID THAT BUSINESS!  Professionals will always have you sign a contract before exchanging money.
  
  
• Pay by credit card.  This is the easiest way to dispute a transaction if needed.

Until next time...WEDologize!


(photo credit - www.vsphoto.com)

Happy Matrimony Monday 2014

Well first...congrats on your engagement!!!  What does Matrimony Monday mean?  Well with the most engagements happening between the Christmas and New Year holiday, the Monday after New Year's Day is believed to be the most popular planning day for newly engaged couples.  So of course, I need to be apart of the planning and education :)

Below are a few of our blog posts that I find most helpful when beginning the wedding planning process.  Let me know your thoughts as you use the topics to plan one of the most memorable days of your life.

Announcing Your Engagement

Bridal Show Survival Guide

What Does Your Reception Venue Include?

Wedding Planning Track

10 Money Mistakes When Planning Your Wedding

Wedding Budget Sleepers

Vendor Contracts

Children & Wedding Planning

Cutting Corners While Wedding Planning
Useful Wedding Planning Apps

Pinterest Interest 

 
Until next time...WEDologize!

Avoiding Vendor Scams

For most couples, the wedding day will be one of the most expensive days of your life!  You MUST protect your money...your investment...when hiring vendors.  Of course using a wedding planner and their resources will always make the vendor search easier as they have done the hard research, but should you chose to go it alone, below are a few tips to make sure you don't fall for illegitimate businesses:

• Don't pay hefty deposits/retainers to secure services from vendors...basically all up front.  Legitimate businesses will seek a 10-50% up front to secure their services and usually the remaining balance will be broken into payments with the final due a week or two before the wedding.
   
• Get references before hiring.  Ask family and friends that have worked with the vendor about their experiences.  Also...read reviews, not just testimonials.
   
• Read the FINE PRINT!  I'm not a fan of fine print and don't have it as apart of my planning contract.  But some vendors do and you must review with a critical eye.  If it doesn't make sense...ask questions before signing on the dotted line.
  
• Know and UNDERSTAND the refund, cancellation and postponement policies before signing.
  
  
• If a vendor asks you for a deposit/retainer without you signing a contract...AVOID THAT BUSINESS!  Professionals will always have you sign a contract before exchanging money.
  
  
• Pay by credit card.  This is the easiest way to dispute a transaction if needed.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - weddingprocourses.com)

Contractually Speaking

As a planner, dealing with vendor contracts are apart of everyday life when it comes to my clients.  Making sure that all the details and services provided are listed is key as well as the payment amount due to the vendor.  But there are some particulars that not every couple recognizes should also be included in the contract (where applicable).

• Complete list of services including the number of hours (not just "all day"), breaks, etc.
• Name of person providing the service on wedding day, especially important when dealing with the photography company, videography company and DJ or Band
• Overtime rate
• Alternative service or merchandise in case of a problem
• Payment schedule
• Cancellation and refund policy
• Last date to make changes to services provided or final guest count

Be sure to read over everything in the contract before signing because once signed...it's legally binding, and make sure to read the fine print.  Also, ask the vendor (should you not have a planner) alternative ways to lower the cost, such as decreasing their hours of service.  And last, NEVER give a vendor a deposit or retainer without a signed contract!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit: www.jungleredwriters.com)