When you’re in love and planning your wedding, you may be caught up in all the happy, romantic vibes. But don’t forget that your wedding is one of the biggest financial expenses of your life. Just like buying a car or a house, a good contract protects you (and the vendors). Birkat Elyon has been providing couples with beautiful cubic zirconia engagement and wedding rings since the 80s. We’ve heard all the stories, so here’s what to understand about a wedding contract.
EXPECT A CONTRACT FROM EVERY VENDOR
Outside of one-off purchases, like a cake topper or the like, you should have a contract with all the vendors providing goods or services. Make sure that everything you expect is in that contract; emails don’t count.
WHAT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED?
This includes things like the hours the vendor agrees to work, specifics like the number of photographs, who will provide the services, and little details like that. These should be clearly outlined.
TRAVEL
If the vendor needs to travel beyond their usual area, what additional costs are required? Are you responsible for booking/paying for flights, meals, and a hotel room? Is there a mileage charge for driving?
POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS
If something changes, what’s the rescheduling policy? Are retainer fees transferable? Make sure these are clearly spelled out.
TERMINATIONS
This applies to a change between the couple and the vendor. If you’re not happy with what the vendor is doing, there should be a separate clause outlining how you can get out of the contract.
CONTINGENCY PLANS
What happens if the vendor gets sick or can’t work the event? Have them clearly state the backup plan.
PAYMENT
Anything and everything around payment must be clearly spelled out in the contract. What deposits are non-refundable? How are the installments structured, and what penalties occur if a payment is late? Are there additional payments to be aware of?
As long as we’re talking about money, keep in mind that opting for high-quality, dazzling cubic zirconia rings is a smart move. They’re far more affordable than diamonds, saving you money that you can put towards the wedding, honeymoon, or even a home. Make choosing CZ jewelry part of your smart financial decisions!