wedding payments

tmboothe

When are you paying all your wedding expensives (cake, flowers, etc.)?  I have heard some people pay in full before the wedding and some people have paid half before and the rest the day of the wedding.  I'm asking because I'm worried about people not showing up if they have already been paid.  Thank you for your help!

sheaday

I've paid vendors according to what their contract and policies state. Some asked for 50% now, then the rest the day of. Others asked for 25% now and then 50% 30 days before, then the rest the day of, etc. It all depends on what their policies are.

If you're using reputable vendors that you've researched and had communication with,  then I don't see why they wouldn't show up. Within my circle of family and friends, I've never heard of a vendor not showing up simply because they were already paid for the job. Of course I've heard of vendors being late or not bringing the right food selections or the cake was a different color.

Research your vendors, have good communication, and get a contract!

tmboothe

Thank you for your information.  I have been researching cake places recently and found one I like but when I asked for references (since it is a fairly new bakery) they wouldn't give me any.  And on the contract it says nothing about if they don't show up.  I would like for the contract to say something about getting our money back if they don't show up.

latashaphillips81

i've done the same as pp; i paid the deposits as needed. but i have also paid some more on the fee now. i have until a month before to pay for the venue. and the cakes didnt have to be paid until 2 wks before.

i must say the only thing i really worried about was my guest (paying for 150) and alot less show. but i just said thats nothing i can frat over and leave it at that. hth

pacificgalx

I did the same thing but I've also been sending periodic payments since January to avoid a huge lump sum being due at the day of the wedding. My goal is to have everything paid before the wedding. I'm not worred about my vendors not showing up.

SarahPLiz

All of mine are dictated by the contract that I signed with the vendor. If you are worried about the vendor not showing up, then I'd suggest either not using that vendor, or negotiating a portion of the fee to be due upon delivery.

Our officiant was the only person we have paid in full so far, but both the caterer and venue are due 2 weeks before the event.

jedaniel

All of my vendors have different payment schedules. It kind of differs between each contract. For example, I'm using Simon Lee Bakery for my cake so what that contract read out was:
Deposit: $435.00
May 1st: $650.00
September 1: $739.95
The total of $1,739.95 was paid by September 1st and my wedding is September 25th.
But then my photographer wants $1,000 before the wedding and the remainder ($500) the day of the wedding.

KurtisKronkPhotography

You shouldn't have to worry about reputable vendors being a no-show because they're paid-in-full already. Really low-budget and Craigslist vendors, may be an issue.