Most disputes with a wedding vendor come down to one thing: what was never written into the contract. A verbal agreement made in a meeting binds no one on the day.
Before signing, read the document line by line, even if the vendor pushes you to send it back quickly. A serious professional never minds a careful read.
Payment clauses to check
•
Deposit amount and due date
•
Schedule of remaining payments, with precise dates
•
Accepted payment methods (bank transfer, cheque, capped cash)
•
Late payment penalties on your side
•
What is actually included in the quoted price (travel, VAT, options)
Cancellation clauses
•
Cooling-off period, if any, and its conditions
•
Refund amount based on cancellation date before the wedding
•
What happens if the vendor cancels or fails to deliver
•
Whether the date can be rescheduled without extra fees
Liability, contingencies, and subcontracting
•
The vendor's professional liability insurance
•
A backup plan for bad weather on outdoor services
•
Whether the vendor can be replaced by a third party, and whether you must be told
•
Who is liable for property damage at the reception venue
Delivery and deadlines
For a photographer or videographer, the delivery date for photos and the film should be spelled out in writing, along with the number of edited photos or the edit's length.
For a caterer or DJ, check the exact service hours, setup and teardown time, and what triggers billed overtime.
Red flag: a vendor who refuses a written contract, pushes you to sign the same day, or changes the quote after a deposit is paid. Take your time, even under sales pressure.