The Huron Expositor, 1995-02-22, Page 45Wednesday, February 22, 1995 -PAGE 51)
Get letters of agreement from professionals
In order to properly protect yourself
and your investment in your wedding
day, you should have contracts or
letters of agreement with the following
professionals:
• Baker
• Bridal consultant
• Bridal salon
• Caterer
• Ceremony location
• Florist
• Musicians
• Photographer
• Reception hall
• Rental equipment company
• Stationery provider
• Transportation service
• Tuxedo rental store
Contract Tips
Write out all details.
Specify all the details, from the size
and type of flowers in your bouquet to
the appropriate dress and number of
breaks the musicians will take.
The following list contains some of
the general items that should be
included in your contracts:
• Day, date and time.
• Delivery dates, times and locations.
• Detailed list of merchandise ordered.
• List of services to be provided,
number of hours, breaks, etc.
• Appropriate dress.
• Name of person in charge of your
wedding.
• Alternative merchandise or service, if
needed.
• Deposits or payment schedules.
• Late date to make changes or provide
final guest count.
• Cancellation and refund policy.
Read and understand the contract
Read the contract carefully, especially
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the fine print. Make sure you
understand and agree to everything; if
not, ask questions or make changes —
now is the time!
Don't overlook the refund or
cancellation policies.
Make sure both parties sign and date
the contract. You won't have a valid
contract if the party promising to
provide the merchandise or service
doesn't sign it.
This may only become an issue if
something goes wrong, but then it may
be too late.
Use credit cards. Put your deposit on
a credit card. Pay the smallest deposit
you can, and put it on a credit card.
Putting all deposits and purchases on
a credit card is the best way to protect
yourself as a consumer.
Special federal consumer protection
laws protect all payments made with
credit cards.
As a consumer, you have recourse to
your credit card eompanies if you
receive merchandise or services that do
not live up to those you contracted for.
You must first make an effort to
correct the problem with the provider,
or renegotiate the terms or price (do
this in writing and keep copies).
If this does not prove satisfactory,
send a copy of your contract,
correspondence, a letter explaining the
problem, and pictures or any proof that
will strengthen your case to your credit
card company.
If, after their investigation, they find
the merchant did not live up to the
terms of your contract, they will not
release funds to his or her account (or
will deduct them from the account) and
will credit your account.
If the retailer wished to dispute this,
he or she will have to file a claim
against you for payment.
Avoid large cancellation fees. Read
the fine print of the contract or ask
exactly what the cancellation policy is.
Will the deposit be refunded if you
cancel six months in advance, or if the
provider is able to re -book the date with
another wedding?
Does the contract state that, if the
wedding is cancelled, you are liable for
50 percent of the cost or for the total
cost of the wedding, even if the original
deposit was for much less than that
cost?
Last-minute cancellation fees are
understandable and fair; just beware of
what you are agreeing to before signing
the contract. In the event you do have
to cancel, notify all services as soon as
possible.
Why not rent your dress?
The decision to buy or possible to sell them
rent a wedding dress later.
The purchase cost will
vary according to styles
and models. The style
will often depend on the
formality of the wedding.
A formal and large
wedding will usually
mean a more elaborate
wedding dress.
depends on the wish to
keep a souvenir and the
available budget.
Women who fear that
in the future they might
regret a decision not to
keep their wedding
dresses usually buy
them. It may always be
If the budget doesn't
permit a purchase, the
rental option can perhaps
allow the bride to wear a
dress that is more
attractive than the one
she might have bought.
When renting, remember
that current styles are
the most expensive.
Styles from last year are
a little less costly and
can be just as attractive.
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