Questions to ask wedding vendors before you pay

Before you pay any wedding vendor, ask what is included and what costs extra, how much the deposit is and when the rest is due, what happens if either of you cancels or changes the date, and who will actually be there on the day, and get every answer in writing. Tick the questions off below as you go.

Questions to ask before you pay a deposit

Tick each question once you have the answer in writing.

Why ask before the deposit?

A deposit usually secures the date and is often not refundable. Once you have paid, you have less room to ask for changes. The answers also show how organised a supplier is.

What should every vendor tell you?

1. Whether they are free on your date, and for how long they can hold it.
2. Exactly what is included, and what costs extra.
3. The deposit, the balance and the dates they are due.
4. The cancellation and date-change terms, both ways.
5. Who will be there on the day.
6. Whether they have insurance, if your venue asks for it.
7. A contract, before you pay.

Venue, photographer and caterer

Each has its own questions, in the checklist above. The two most often missed: the venue's wet-weather plan, and the caterer's date for the final headcount. Set your reply-by date around the second one.

What should you do with the answers?

Keep them with the contract, and add every payment date to your planning spreadsheet. Compare like with like: one quote's "included" may be another's extra.

Questions

What should I ask a wedding vendor?

What is included, the deposit and balance, cancellation and date-change terms, who will be there on the day, and whether they have insurance.

Should I sign a contract with every vendor?

Yes, for anything you pay a deposit for. Read it before paying.

Are wedding deposits refundable?

Often not. Check the contract and ask before you pay.

How many vendors should I compare?

Two or three for each of the big ones, such as the venue, photographer and caterer, is usually enough.