Become a Top Wedding Planner - Use a Wedding Planner Contract With Brides
New wedding planners often don't realize the importance of using written contracts with clients until they get into a dispute that results in a loss of money and dissatisfaction by both parties.
Professional wedding planners use contracts every time with every client.
Contracts explain the details of the services you are providing, when you are providing them and how much you will be compensated for your services.
With all of this information, in writing, there should not be any questions or disagreements later about what was expected or promised.
I receive many requests for sample contracts.
I don't offer them because each city, county, state and country has different laws, and because I am not an attorney.
I do not recommend that you use contracts that you find on the Internet and in books because they are very general.
I recommend you have an attorney draft a contract that gives you some flexibility to customize it for each client with details about the services you are providing, your rates and terms.
You will want your contract to include some basic information, such as: • Date contract was drafted • Your company name and contact information • Your client's name and contact information • The couple's names and contact information (which may be different from your client's) • Date, time, place and location of the wedding • Services you are providing • Your rates • Your payment policy and the dates in which deposits and payments are due • Your refund, change and cancellation policies • Conditions - this may include, for example, the date by which the bride needs to provide you with contracts from vendors she's hired on her own, so you know what to expect on the wedding day and can contact the vendors in advance • Date on which the rates and terms quoted in the contract expire.
This is so a bride understands that if she doesn't sign by a specific date, your prices could change because you will have less time to plan her wedding.
• Place for your client's signature and your signature (you sign after your client signs).
Your attorney can suggest specific information that needs to be added based on the services and products that you offer.
If, for example, you also cater or bake the wedding cake or make travel arrangements for the wedding party, your contract will have to have references to those services.
She or he can also advise you on what to do when your client wants to make changes to the original contract.
(Always get your client's approval, in writing, when there are changes in rates.
) Contracts are very important! You don't have a client until you have a signed contract and a deposit.
Don't work without them.
Professional wedding planners use contracts every time with every client.
Contracts explain the details of the services you are providing, when you are providing them and how much you will be compensated for your services.
With all of this information, in writing, there should not be any questions or disagreements later about what was expected or promised.
I receive many requests for sample contracts.
I don't offer them because each city, county, state and country has different laws, and because I am not an attorney.
I do not recommend that you use contracts that you find on the Internet and in books because they are very general.
I recommend you have an attorney draft a contract that gives you some flexibility to customize it for each client with details about the services you are providing, your rates and terms.
You will want your contract to include some basic information, such as: • Date contract was drafted • Your company name and contact information • Your client's name and contact information • The couple's names and contact information (which may be different from your client's) • Date, time, place and location of the wedding • Services you are providing • Your rates • Your payment policy and the dates in which deposits and payments are due • Your refund, change and cancellation policies • Conditions - this may include, for example, the date by which the bride needs to provide you with contracts from vendors she's hired on her own, so you know what to expect on the wedding day and can contact the vendors in advance • Date on which the rates and terms quoted in the contract expire.
This is so a bride understands that if she doesn't sign by a specific date, your prices could change because you will have less time to plan her wedding.
• Place for your client's signature and your signature (you sign after your client signs).
Your attorney can suggest specific information that needs to be added based on the services and products that you offer.
If, for example, you also cater or bake the wedding cake or make travel arrangements for the wedding party, your contract will have to have references to those services.
She or he can also advise you on what to do when your client wants to make changes to the original contract.
(Always get your client's approval, in writing, when there are changes in rates.
) Contracts are very important! You don't have a client until you have a signed contract and a deposit.
Don't work without them.
