Read the Fine Print: Wedding Contracts
Wedding contracts are important so you both know exactly what’s expected and how much it costs for your special day. When you make a contract with a venue, it list the items that include the rules of the venue, like the type of décor allowed and times that you can hold the wedding rehearsal.
Read the contract offered and don’t just gloss it over because the person says, “It’s standard”. Make sure that it has the correct time and date for the wedding and outlines all the responsibilities of both parties. This contract is all you have if the company doesn’t follow through correctly. No matter what the verbal arrangements are, the contract is the final word in court. See what your costs are if the wedding date needs to be changed. Also, look for all fees hidden in the contract. Sometimes caterers quote a price and later in the contract mention that there are charges also for the equipment rental, or labor charges for the service people that aren’t in the food costs.
It may feel uncomfortable to take the time to thoroughly investigate all the contracts before you sign them, but it is good protection against the potential of misunderstandings, overspending and even misrepresentation. Sometimes you find something written in error and you’ll help the vendor if you point it out to them. When you take the time to check the fine points of the contract, it helps make the wedding day the special moment you always wanted.