Not only is your wedding one of the most romantic days of your life, it is also the most expensive. When you are planning an event that may run into the tens of thousands of dollars, it is important to make sure that you don't get so swept up in the excitement of it all that you forget to read the fine print. These are the key things to look for in your wedding vendor contracts.



First of all, a contract is as much for your protection as it is for the vendor's, so insist on having one for every major expense of your wedding. That way there can be no question down the road about how much your balance is on a service, or exactly what the vendor has promised to deliver you. As much as it is nice to have a trusting relationship with everyone who will help you with your wedding, it is even nicer to have all of the details in writing, just in case!

A contract is a document needed when you are booking a vendor, such as a band or a venue, or when you are putting down a partial payment (or a payment in full) on goods to be delivered, such as your wedding gown. You do not need a contract for all of the smaller items that are cash and carry types of purchases, such as your wedding jewelry or favors; a simple receipt is adequate. The only exception would be if you are purchasing your wedding jewelry in installments; there should at least be a notation on each receipt that shows your total payments and balance due to avoid any confusion at the end. Other important details to see on simple receipts would be the return policy and any type of satisfaction guarantee offered.

The more detail on your contracts the better. For instance, when you are hiring a band, the contract needs to cover much more than just the date reserved and the price. It should be very specific about how many hours the band will play, the number of musicians (and possibly even their names), if there are any fees for the time it takes to set up their equipment (as well as what equipment is included in the package), how frequently the band takes breaks and what backup music is provided, and possibly even attire for the musicians. You will also want to cover such questions as when the final payment is due, whether tips and taxes are required (and if so, whether or not they are included in the price), and what the overtime charges are. Once you see how many things a contract should include, their importance becomes very clear.

Perhaps the most important contract is the one that you will have with your reception venue. This will tend to be where you spend the bulk of your wedding budget, so you will not want to leave anything to chance. As with any other wedding vendor, you will want the contract to spell out the basics, such as date, times, and prices. Venues are the most likely venues to have numerous extra expenses that may not be readily apparent, so be careful to ask a lot of questions and to get everything in writing. For instance, what about taxes and gratuities? How is parking handled, and will you be responsible for paying for valets? Is there a coat check, and what does that cost? Do they charge a cake cutting fee?

Also ask how many hours are included in their standard contract, if it includes set up time, and what the cost is if you run into overtime. By the way, the number of hours included in the venue rental is something that can at times be negotiated (especially if you just want access for decorating, and will not require extra staff), but it needs to be done before you sign the contract, while you still have some leverage.

Finally, don't forget to get the details on that all-important final payment. Some venues require the balance to be paid before the event, with the understanding that it will include an estimate for the bar bill. After all is tallied up, you will either receive a bill for drinks served in excess of the estimate or a refund if fewer drinks were served. Of course, you have to have some trust in the establishment to believe that they will send you a refund check if you were overcharged. That can be fine; after all, having a contract in writing will allow you to feel confident that your venue is being clear and upfront about everything.