When you’re planning a wedding, there are lots of exciting things to consider. From picking out your dress to finding the perfect venue, there are a lot of fun steps in the process. However, there are also some not so fun parts of the wedding planning process… Like wedding venue contracts.
Let’s go over some things to consider when you’re reading through a potential wedding venue contract. As always, it’s important to take your own situation into account and reach out to the venue if you have any questions about what’s in the contract.
What to Look For
There are a few different important things to look for when you’re reading through a wedding contract. Below are some things that you’ll most likely want to be included, so don’t be afraid to ask if they’re not in the contract that you receive.
Big Points
There are a few different big points that are typically included in a wedding contract. Some big points to consider include:
- Decor timeline: When does the decor need to be put up and when does it need to be taken down?
- Do the vendors need to be approved to be able to be on-site? When are the vendors allowed to be on-site?
- When is the last call or final song? What will happen after that point in terms of clean up?
Making sure that these things are included in your contract is a good way to be sure that everyone’s on the same page and that there’s nothing important being left out.
Payment Schedule
Another important thing to look for in a wedding venue contract is the payment schedule. Is there a significant deposit? Will the venue payments be made in installments or all at once? Answering these questions will help you budget accordingly and make sure that you’re paying on time.
What to Avoid
It’s totally understandable if you’re feeling a little bit overwhelmed at the prospect of reading and signing a wedding venue contract. Take the following considerations into account before officially signing anything.
No Mention of Cancellation
Lots of things can happen that will cause a wedding to be canceled or rescheduled. If your wedding venue contract doesn’t mention anything about these things, then that might be a red flag. Consider asking the venue what their cancellation policy is and make sure that’s added into the contract.
No Negotiation
Wedding venue contracts are just like other contracts and it’s possible to negotiate. If you find that a venue isn’t able to be flexible or make changes, then that might be a sign that they’re not the right choice for you. While it makes sense that venues aren’t able to budget on certain things, there are areas in which they have some flexibility.
When it comes to negotiating, don’t be afraid to ask any questions you have or have your lawyer look at the contract. This is a great way to make sure that you fully understand what you’re signing.
