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Wedding Etiquette Forum
mamaprecious
member
When do you sign a contract?
I'm in a bit of a dilemma. I would like my wedding to be in May 2016. I'm in love with a venue for my reception and it seems to be already booking up for May 2016. I asked the coordinator when I give my deposit do I sign the contract at the same time. She told me not until the wedding date gets near. Has anyone had to wait until their wedding date got near until you have singed a contract for a venue. I don't want to put down a payment if I don't know what's on the contract. The down payment is also non refundable and of course I cant cancel if its going to be near my wedding date. I have not asked her as yet as to what she means "not until near the wedding date".
Thanks
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Re: When do you sign a contract?
Always get a contract. Always. If they don't typically do a contract when a deposit is made, just tell them that you would like to. If they can't accommodate that, then get yourself a new venue. They should be THRILLED to take your money and lock you down. A contract protects both parties. If they fuss, there's something wrong.
ETA: I've booked my venue and a few vendors at this point. Every single one gave me a contract to sign at the same time I gave them a deposit. I've never heard of this not being the case. My mom is a lawyer-- she would murder me if I didn't get a contract. Okay, not murder me, but seriously question where she went wrong in teaching me the ways of the world haha.
@msuprincess04 makes greats points. There are plenty of other things you'll need to know that will affect your budget as the time gets nearer. As a silly example, burning votive candles vs. battery-operates ones for your centerpieces will cost different things, so you should know what your venue is going to require of you/restrict you to before you give them a deposit. Also, it's not unreasonable to address the inevitable menu change by asking them to give examples of how their menus/menu prices have changed in the past, and to lock in a guaranteed maximum percentage increase from the current prices (ie, "Food and beverage cost is to be determined, subject to conditions and circumstances unforeseen at the time of entering into this contract, but shall fluctuate by no more than a 10% increase from the current food and beverage prices of the calendar year during which this contract was entered into.")
We signed a contract with our reception venue for our May 2016 wedding just a few months ago. If you pay money then you need to get a contract.
Even if the food prices will change, ask if you can get the part of the contract that has time and date and location and dos and don'ts and then ask if they are willing to do a separate contract pertaining to the food part of the venue, when they update the prices for 2016.
It also included how many passed apps, what drinks would be served at cocktail hour, what drinks would be served when guests arrived, what drinks and food would be served during the reception. I had a pretty clear idea of the food I wanted (smoked salmon eggs benedict, waffles, muffins bagels, etc. It was really pretty detailed... it even includes where the loxspread would come from! I don't like philadelphia's smoked salmon cream cheese...) I told the venue what I wanted, and they said "yup. we can do that!" and they put it right into the contract for me. I think there was other stuff in there as well, but I can't remember off the top of my head...
Basically... get detailed! a lot of what I mentioned above was not initially in the contract (like the "in case of terrible weather" clause, and "we can choose on the day of where the ceremony will be" clause.
ALL OF THIS!!