Do you require clients to sign a contract? - BridalTweet Wedding Forum & Vendor Directory2024-03-28T15:21:49Zhttps://www.bridaltweet.com/forum/topics/do-you-require-clients-to-sign?commentId=3145964%3AComment%3A223592&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThank you to everyone for you…tag:www.bridaltweet.com,2010-11-16:3145964:Comment:2267872010-11-16T17:54:32.214ZBlush Noteshttps://www.bridaltweet.com/profile/BlushNotes
Thank you to everyone for your wonderful advise! This is certainly something I will need to create and put in place to protect both myself and my clients.<br />
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Melissa
Thank you to everyone for your wonderful advise! This is certainly something I will need to create and put in place to protect both myself and my clients.<br />
<br />
Melissa To protect both parties, yes!…tag:www.bridaltweet.com,2010-11-16:3145964:Comment:2269232010-11-16T17:51:49.473ZTracie Howehttps://www.bridaltweet.com/profile/TracieHowe
To protect both parties, yes! And a deposit, which it sounds like you do with the 50% up front.<br />
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I recently had a couple break up and cancel their wedding, which made me feel bad for them and not care as much about the lost money. THEN, they got back together and moved up the wedding and said something about not hiring a bunch of professionals. I didn't feel bad for them after that, but I was definitely upset about losing the money then!
To protect both parties, yes! And a deposit, which it sounds like you do with the 50% up front.<br />
<br />
I recently had a couple break up and cancel their wedding, which made me feel bad for them and not care as much about the lost money. THEN, they got back together and moved up the wedding and said something about not hiring a bunch of professionals. I didn't feel bad for them after that, but I was definitely upset about losing the money then! I like Memento Photo's term "…tag:www.bridaltweet.com,2010-11-16:3145964:Comment:2267742010-11-16T17:01:28.439ZAmy Alice Wilsonhttps://www.bridaltweet.com/profile/AmyAliceWilson
I like Memento Photo's term "Service Agreement" and might have to use it in the future. As wedding musician, I currently use a "Wedding Music Worksheet and Contract" which helps me and the bride organize the music for the different parts of the ceremony. And it protects both of us. It is also reassuring to the bride to get the details in place and know that I am working with her.
I like Memento Photo's term "Service Agreement" and might have to use it in the future. As wedding musician, I currently use a "Wedding Music Worksheet and Contract" which helps me and the bride organize the music for the different parts of the ceremony. And it protects both of us. It is also reassuring to the bride to get the details in place and know that I am working with her. Hey Melissa,
You've gotten s…tag:www.bridaltweet.com,2010-11-15:3145964:Comment:2263062010-11-15T19:21:18.247ZDina Eisenberghttps://www.bridaltweet.com/profile/DinaEisenberg
Hey Melissa,<br></br>
<br></br>
You've gotten such great advice. Yes, you should have a contract. I love that someone calls it a service agreement because it reframes the document away from being an adversarial document to a document where you and your couple agree upon how to best serve your mutual goal- a great wedding.<br></br>
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Two important thoughts-<br></br>
<br></br>
1. <b>Be sure you're using the right term.</b> A deposit has different legal significance than than a consultation fee. What you call it…
Hey Melissa,<br/>
<br/>
You've gotten such great advice. Yes, you should have a contract. I love that someone calls it a service agreement because it reframes the document away from being an adversarial document to a document where you and your couple agree upon how to best serve your mutual goal- a great wedding.<br/>
<br/>
Two important thoughts-<br/>
<br/>
1. <b>Be sure you're using the right term.</b> A deposit has different legal significance than than a consultation fee. What you call it may impact your ability to keep the money if things change. You can probably get a quick answer to this by calling your local bar association and asking for their reduced fee panel. These lawyers agree to a reduced fee for a first meeting in exchange for the referral. Then, you can ask the business lawyer you select to review not only your deposit policy but also your entire contract.<br/>
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I actually think most wedding businesses need 5 different agreements and mediation clauses to be effective.<br/>
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2. <b>Prepare to make the contract conversation fun yet informative.</b> You want to make discussing your work terms a memorable experience that educates your couple. The time to discover any areas where you disagree is while you're in discussion, not after your agreement is signed & it feels awkward to re-open an issue.<br/>
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Hope that helps.<br/>
<br/>
Warmly<br/>
Dina Yes. I have a standard contra…tag:www.bridaltweet.com,2010-11-15:3145964:Comment:2264482010-11-15T18:30:19.265ZGeorgeann Solomon-Friersonhttps://www.bridaltweet.com/profile/GeorgeannSolomonFrierson
Yes. I have a standard contract that is signed at the time that the deposit is due. This contract can be ammended with riders depending what my client need.
Yes. I have a standard contract that is signed at the time that the deposit is due. This contract can be ammended with riders depending what my client need. Contracts are utilized by mos…tag:www.bridaltweet.com,2010-11-12:3145964:Comment:2250632010-11-12T14:45:39.191ZFranklin D. Manchesterhttps://www.bridaltweet.com/profile/FranklinDManchester
Contracts are utilized by most businesses. Even within simple everyday activities we (the general public) are essentially contracting or reaching a mutual agreement with another. For example, just visit an ATM, buy clothing at a department store, dine at a restaurant, buy a car, rent an apartment, have a company provide you with TV, Internet and telephone services, buy a airline ticket, etc. To some degree I guess I'm not a big fan of contracts; however, they are essential for any business to…
Contracts are utilized by most businesses. Even within simple everyday activities we (the general public) are essentially contracting or reaching a mutual agreement with another. For example, just visit an ATM, buy clothing at a department store, dine at a restaurant, buy a car, rent an apartment, have a company provide you with TV, Internet and telephone services, buy a airline ticket, etc. To some degree I guess I'm not a big fan of contracts; however, they are essential for any business to be successful. To some degree they of course protect the consumer as well.<br />
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As far as wedding services go I think it's very important to have a contract. For the most part a bride and/or groom are requesting one's services far in advance. That of course means that any vendor they select for services must reserve their time, product and services for a particular party. In doing so, chances are they will have to deny others their services for that day or given time slot.<br />
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As the General Manager of The Inn At Fox Hollow the sales team and I require one to guarantee (contract) a certain percentage of the suites one blocks with us. I believe we try very hard to have both brides and grooms or their parents at times commit to a conservative amount of room nights, or to take time to think about it carefully before they actually sign a contract with us. We are not in the business of trying to make money for a service or product we won't or did not provide. We want our suites to be occupied and our guests to enjoy our services and amenities.<br />
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We at times have brides and grooms that don't want or like to sign contracts and we at times have to tell them that we can not be of service to them. We have too much to lose in not having a contract signed and I believe a bridal party would as well. Ultimately I think that if a contract is explained clearly to a bridal party, the too will see why it is important and overall fair.<br />
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I am always more suspicious of those that do not offer a contract or that do not want to sign one. You have to think what one's intentions may be. Contracts are a must. They sh…tag:www.bridaltweet.com,2010-11-10:3145964:Comment:2241292010-11-10T02:17:49.949ZMargie K. Codyhttps://www.bridaltweet.com/profile/MargieKCody
Contracts are a must. They should give a clear understanding of expectations on both sides. Contacts should include a detailed synopsis of services provided and a timeline. It is much better when you have everything outlined and agreed upon in writing. I required a 50% deposit with signing of contract and balance due 30 days before the event.
Contracts are a must. They should give a clear understanding of expectations on both sides. Contacts should include a detailed synopsis of services provided and a timeline. It is much better when you have everything outlined and agreed upon in writing. I required a 50% deposit with signing of contract and balance due 30 days before the event. Yes, a contract is a must for…tag:www.bridaltweet.com,2010-11-10:3145964:Comment:2239312010-11-10T00:56:03.790ZAlisa Lyonshttps://www.bridaltweet.com/profile/AlisaLyons
Yes, a contract is a must for both sides.
Yes, a contract is a must for both sides. NEVER work without one~ you w…tag:www.bridaltweet.com,2010-11-09:3145964:Comment:2236002010-11-09T22:15:14.377ZTracy Parkhttps://www.bridaltweet.com/profile/TracyPark
NEVER work without one~ you will only get in trouble..
NEVER work without one~ you will only get in trouble.. Hi Melissa!
Contracts are a…tag:www.bridaltweet.com,2010-11-09:3145964:Comment:2235922010-11-09T20:00:18.842ZMemento Photo Boothhttps://www.bridaltweet.com/profile/MementoPhotoBooth
Hi Melissa!<br />
<br />
Contracts are a must! I think both parties benefit from this. I would be wary of anyone who didn't want to sign one, as well as brides should be wary of companies who don't provide them. I have found that the word "contract" has such a negative feeling to it. At <a href="http://www.mementophotobooth.com" target="_blank">Memento Photo Booth</a> we refer to our document as a "service agreement" We feel like it just has a better vibe. Something you might want to consider. :)
Hi Melissa!<br />
<br />
Contracts are a must! I think both parties benefit from this. I would be wary of anyone who didn't want to sign one, as well as brides should be wary of companies who don't provide them. I have found that the word "contract" has such a negative feeling to it. At <a href="http://www.mementophotobooth.com" target="_blank">Memento Photo Booth</a> we refer to our document as a "service agreement" We feel like it just has a better vibe. Something you might want to consider. :)