When it comes to hiring professional vendors, it’s ultra-important to know that you can’t just “shake on it.” Having vendor agreements with any and all people you are paying for services or goods on your wedding day is critical. If you don’t have a wedding planner, you’ll need to iron out some details yourself, and those details should be kept on record. From the venue to your photographer, a caterer, florist, dress designer, or entertainment company–check out the information on wedding vendor agreements below to keep a sweet relationship with your vendors, so your big day goes as smoothly as possible! Photo credit

Draw Up A Contract

You need to have a solid agreement with vendors to protect both of you when you enter into an agreement of services to be rendered on your wedding day. A contract is great for you to see on paper exactly what you are getting from said vendor and also protects you in the event that services aren’t supplied–especially if you paid for them or put a deposit down.

Be Sure To Read The Fine Print

As with any contractual agreement, be sure to read the fine print. Just read everything. Some professional wedding vendors could have cancellation clauses, weather related clauses, illness clauses, non-deposit clauses–a plethora of things you may not know that could screw up your big day and/or it running smoothly.

Get Payment Details In Writing

If you opt for a payment plan or payment is due in full after the wedding or a few weeks before, just get it all in writing. This is a great way to keep the peace between you and your vendor. That way there is no confusion, and you both have peace of mind knowing you have a plan for payment of services in action.

Sign, Seal It, Store It Away

Once everything you want (and have discussed) is down on paper and written in blood (hahaha), be sure to get it signed, dated, and get a copy. Don’t let the vendor mail it to you, or email it–unless it pings straight to your phone and you can immediately verify it was sent. If you have wedding insurance, copies could muddy things up a bit if you have a disagreement about services. So face to face, old fashioned, signing of two copies and each of you have it in hand is the best way to do friendly wedding business.

Keep Your Receipts For EVERYTHING

You have no clue what you might pay for, and someone lose the record of said payment. This is why you should save receipts for everything. If you don’t get a physical receipt be sure to write a check that has a duplicate page for record keeping. Alternatively, ask the vendor to hand write you a receipt with acknowledgment of payment, sign and date it.