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Kyla
Newbie July 2020 Ontario

Paying for vendors in advance

Kyla, on July 23, 2018 at 18:30 Posted in Plan a wedding 0 23
Just wondering what the norm is in regards to paying for vendors. Can you pay a percentage before the wedding (deposits, etc) and then pay once services are complete? Even via post dated cheque? Even tho there is a contract in place I get worried paying everything in full before the BIG day.

23 Comments

Latest activity by Gina, on August 10, 2018 at 14:18
  • Gina
    Super April 2019 Alberta
    Gina ·
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    I think it’s usually the norm to pay before the wedding. We have to pay our venue the room rental fee upon signing, then 50% of the estimated food and beverage cost 5 months before the wedding. The other 50% is due 30 days before the wedding. My photographer is 50% upon signing and the other 50% the day of the wedding. I definitely understand why they make you pay for food and beverages before hand. That would be a lot of money for someone to skip out on. There was one venue that we were looking at that charges the other half of dinner 5 days After the wedding. So there are definitely places That do it, I just don’t think it’s common
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  • Melissa
    Frequent user September 2018 Quebec
    Melissa ·
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    Most vendors require a 25-50% deposit to secure their services for the big day and to ensure you're serious. I understand their perspective - if they turned down other, potential clients because you said you wanted to book them and then decide to use someone else, that's a loss for them. We did a lot of research beforehand and didn't book anyone we weren't 100% sure about. Additionally, there were a few vendors who didn't require a deposit and we paid one anyway because we found it was useful for budgeting our expenses - it is easy to say yes to a lot of things when the payment date seems far away, but you'll likely be more cautious if you're asked to hand over a significant sum right away. Most of our vendors also require the remainder to be paid before the wedding, but I'm pretty confident in their services and won't have to worry about paying people the day of.

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  • Rachael
    Super October 2019 Ontario
    Rachael ·
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    Most vendors I've booked and/or have been in touch with prefer a deposit upfront to secure the service(s) for your wedding date, and ask that the final deposit/payment be made on or prior to your wedding date.

    Some vendors may be willing to accommodate this, but you'd have to ask as I imagine it would be done only on a case-by-case basis.

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  • Becky
    VIP September 2019 Ontario
    Becky ·
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    Most vendors I dealt with wanted everything paid ten days pior because they are worried you will forget day of or not have time day after. They also are covering themselves incase people can't actually afford the services. I honestly prefer paying ahead so I don't forget. the companies I went with were reputable and if they didn't have contracts I made one to cover myself if they don't show I get full refund and all that

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  • Jenna
    Curious June 2019 Ontario
    Jenna ·
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    Most vendors I'm working with only required a small deposit and the remainder on the wedding day although I did get a discount with my florist by paying the whole amount up front! Maybe you could ask your vendors if that's an option

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  • Lor
    Frequent user August 2018 Ontario
    Lor ·
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    We've paid for everything ahead of time. The officiant, The photographers, the hair, the flowers... The only thing i will have to pay cash for is my makeup. and then we will only have the hotel room, the venue to pay. and that wont be a headache since we received some money and the FH can just pay that down when we get the invoice.


    I think paying for everything as soon as you can helps organize and make it stress free around the wedding.

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  • Emily
    Devoted February 2020 Ontario
    Emily ·
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    Unfortunately, I think that paying for everything in advance is the norm in the industry. It does make you a little hesitant because venues, photographers, djs cost a lot of money when you aren't 100% sure of the service that they are going to offer you. On the plus side, if you book vendors through wedding wire, you can read reviews/contact other brides that have used them, and you get to leave your review, so if the service didn't meet your standard you can explain that and most companies are great about compensation when a bad review has been left.

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  • Vanessa
    Expert August 2018 Manitoba
    Vanessa ·
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    Paid deposits for almost all our vendors except hair which was a blessing at the cost of everything. I would ask your vendors if you can make multiple payments. For example: Deposit, 1/2 way to your wedding and then day of or just before to avoid all hell braking loose. Also designate a family member or member of your wedding party you trust as your wedding day will be crazy busy as I have been told by many.

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  • Kay
    Devoted September 2018 Nova Scotia
    Kay ·
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    Most of my vendors are pay a deposit, then I pay the outstanding balance 14 days before the actual wedding.

    The only exception to this was my Officiant, and my restaurant where my wedding/reception is being held... And that's just because they don't charge me until they know how many guests are actually being fed, and no way to know what the drinks are going to come to!

    Honestly, part of me would rather pay all of it in advance so I don't have to worry about money so close to the wedding. haha!

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  • Maureen
    Curious October 2018 Ontario
    Maureen ·
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    We have paid deposits on everything and are slowly paying it all down!

    Most places will let you pay in advanced just make sure you get a receipt!

    I've heard some horror stories of places going under so make sure your comfortable with the vendor and if your not maybe wait till the final payment is due! Just to be safe

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  • Jennifer
    Super July 2019 Ontario
    Jennifer ·
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    I have found the majority of vendors require final payment when you give final numbers. or week or 2 before the wedding.

    we are fortunate. our reception hall will let us pay the majority of the food bill after the wedding. the rest of the vendors are due before the wedding. but we are paying them throughout the year. as I didn't want to be bogged down the month before the wedding and see so much money leave the bank.

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  • Erin
    Master September 2017 Ontario
    Erin ·
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    Some of my vendors wanted full payment prior to the wedding and others were paid day of the wedding. Most did require a deposit though.

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  • Julia
    Frequent user June 2019 Alberta
    Julia ·
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    Some of my vendors have set up pre-determined payment dates, (ie. initial deposit, 4 months out, 2 months out and a week before), others have asked that they be paid the day of, or a week before.

    I have found that most of the vendors are fairly flexible in when they will take payment, and are willing to work with me so that i don't have to worry about paying everyone either the week prior or day of. Many of my vendors are accepting E-transfers or Pay-pall payments and thus we have arranged to do it within the week following the wedding. I am also paying some of my vendors fully almost a month in advance to make things easier.

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  • Kaisha
    Super March 2019 Nova Scotia
    Kaisha ·
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    I didn't even question it and was paying the deposits no problem, but then my FH questioned me when the photographer asked for 50% down (he gave us options but I didn't want to think about it). Then I was very hesitant but I just make sure to meet with everyone in person and have a signed contract before sending paying any money.

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  • Brittany
    British Columbia
    Brittany ·
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    Our main vendor (ceremony/reception venue, food, bar), required a deposit, and then the balance will be calculated and owed after the wedding. (They add any "host drinks" we do - bride/groom, parents, etc., plus final numbers on dinner).

    Our florist will charge our credit card when the flowers are shipped (floral company through Costco). So that's a few days prior to the wedding.

    DJ will probably be cheque or e-transfer the day of. 50% deposit to book.

    Photographer will be e-transfer day of. Deposit already paid to book.

    Officiant is cash only. No deposit, full amount day of.

    We don't have many other day-of vendors that I can think of.

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  • Jennifer
    Super August 2018 Alberta
    Jennifer ·
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    I am a bit worried about this as well but it sounds like it’s normal to pre pay for most things which I guess is also nice so you don’t have to worry about paying for a bunch of services on the day of.
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  • Clarissa
    Expert October 2018 Saskatchewan
    Clarissa ·
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    All my vendors required some type of deposit to book them (up to 50%) and then the rest due up to the week before the wedding. The exception will be our venue that is all inclusive (room, food, bar, hotel). We have an open bar so if our estimate was low we will have a final payment after the wedding.
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  • Stephanie
    Master July 2018 Alberta
    Stephanie ·
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    We had to pay our venue in full before the wedding, the rest we could pay in full after. I think this is pretty typical, especially for reception spaces as they invest ahead of time for all the food and alcohol and want to make sure they are covered for all their cost in case something happens...

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  • Vinod
    Top August 2017 Ontario
    Vinod ·
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    Most vendors require a deposit to book your day. Some do different amounts or by number of payments.

    Videographer and DJ were paid half amount.

    Venue had 4 payments set by due dates (3 beforehand and 1 afterwards being the final amount due).

    Backdrop 25% deposit and remaining owed when picked up.
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  • E
    Expert December 2018 Ontario
    Emma ·
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    Oh using a credit card when ever possible is also a good idea. If your vendor doesn’t give you what you were promised you may be able to get some of the charges reversed through the credit card company.
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  • E
    Expert December 2018 Ontario
    Emma ·
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    My only vendor that allows payment after the fact is our DJ. But even then we have to pay a deposit and the rest of the payment is due that night. So I guess you could consider that after the fact.

    I get get what you are saying about being nervous paying everything upfront. But that’s why we only went with vendors that have very good reputations and reviews. That’s the best way to protect yourself.
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  • Cindy
    Devoted July 2019 Ontario
    Cindy ·
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    Our vendor requires us to pay 100 percent beforehand. However, we also almost chose another vendor that didn't require full payment until the Monday following the event. I guess they know many use their gifts to put towards the venue. So I think it just depends on specific venues.
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  • Stephanie
    VIP May 2019 Ontario
    Stephanie ·
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    Moat do requirement payment before.... I dont think any accepted money after but always within the week before the wedding. My photographer accepts the last 2 out of 7 payments after the wedding once we receive preview photos and the final photos. But my venue is 100% full payment before.... it really depends on your discussion with the vendor and what the contract says! If you sign and it says full payment a week before you gotta stick with it!
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