While it is true that your wedding should be a time for the realization of your lifelong dreams, it is also going to be a major expense in your life. It should be treated as a serious business venture, perhaps your first as an adult. Do not do business with anyone who does not have a business license (or at least a “DBA” registration – “Doing Business As”), appropriate insurance and if they are in the food industry, a health permit. Ask for copies of other proof of this documentation and make certain that all are current and in good standing! While a serious professional won’t mind putting together a written proposal, recognize that there are some unethical brides who take one proposal to a different vendor who supplies a similar product or service and ask them to come in at a lower price. And, it is certainly not professional and ethical for a vendor to take the proposal of another colleague and tell you that he can do the exact same job for a lot less! (That’s assuming that the first proposal is an honest and fair one). If you are the sort of person who would take a proposal to a competing company, then it’s of little use to convince you that this is not a wise manner of commerce. What is to guarantee that the second business person will not let your event slide if a more expensive, thus more profitable, event comes along?
Make certain that the vendor is approved to work at the site of your ceremony and/or reception. Have everything itemized and put into writing, stating information about overtime, set-up and break down times, refundable policy, payment dates and amounts. Keep originals of contracts in a safe place at home and make copies to carry around with you.
Written by Robbi Ernst III, author of Great Wedding Tips From the Experts