Questions to Ask a 'Wedding Day Planner' Before You Sign a Contract

Elliott Marsh Photography of Wanda with the happy couple.

You found a wedding planner that feels like the right fit for you and your partner. After weeks, sometimes months of planning, spending countless hours interviewing vendors, creating mood boards, and settling on an overall tone for your big day, it's time to sit down with the contract.

I strongly advise against flipping through it and scribbling your signatures amongst the excitement of finally having all the pieces of your wedding day perfectly fit together. The risk with rushing through contract signing is that your wedding day won't be perfect if the contract isn't. I highly recommend reading the entire contract before putting pen to paper. You're going to have questions, that's expected. Here are some of the questions I get asked by couples before they sign their contract.

What are the payment terms for all my vendors?  

Wanda~ Every vendor has different guidelines for payment. It's important to make a note of payment amounts and due dates. If you miss a payment, you could put yourself in breach of contract.

What about taxes and gratuities?

Wanda~ If your contract doesn't include exact taxes and says something like "plus taxes," do your research and figure out what those costs will be so you aren't surprised later. It's also important to remember that taxes vary from state to state, so you'll want to get verification if you are using an out-of-state vendor or planning a destination wedding. 

Some vendors include gratuities in their contract. You should always tip your wedding vendors, so you'll want to include this in your budget if it isn't in the contract.

How do all the vendors work together so the band isn't tuning up while the toast is being given?

Wanda~ We create a service timeline and work closely with all the vendors to make sure they stay on track and don't get in each other's way. Most vendors are experienced in the wedding industry and are very conscious of what is going on around them. As a wedding planner, it's my job to make sure the timeline is followed.

What happens if we need to cancel or postpone the wedding?

Wanda~ If the last couple of years has taught us anything, it's that sometimes circumstances require us to change plans. Finding out your vendors' rescheduling and cancellation policy is important. No, you don't expect anything to interfere with your wedding day, but some things are out of our hands. Having clear expectations about how to move forward after unforeseen circumstances can save a lot of stress down the road.

The best piece of advice I can give about contracts is that if you don't understand something, ask. This is your wedding day and your pocketbook. Make sure it's the day you've dreamed of, and you aren't hit with any unexpected fees because you didn't ask questions.
Here at Blue Linden, we have years of experience and would love to help manage your wedding day celebration so that it's everything you planned for and more. Get in touch to talk about your wedding needs and how we can help.