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  1.  
    • kjl87
      CommentAuthorkjl87
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    Everything we seem to have booked is asking for payment in full before the big day. Our venue, cars, photographer are all asking for full payment about a month before the big day. Is everybody else being told the same thing?

    My partner is moaning about the photographer because it is somebody who is doing it freelance and he doesn't think they should be paid for work that hasn't been done yet. He is concerned about being let down on the day.

    I do agree to that I'm not happy paying everything in advance as the work hasn't been done, but I do also see it from their side as they are making sure they will actually get paid.
  2.  
    • Sonya
      CommentAuthorSonya
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    I think it's pretty standard. The only thing we paid on the day was the magician. From their point of view what if they do the photography, flowers, all the food etc then you said actually we don't have the money

    Members signature icon
    Became Mrs Mulholland on September 12th 2014!!!


  3.  
    • CommentAuthorMidgetGem89
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    Yea its pretty standard a mnth before most ppl need paying as said above what if the day comes and theres no money et . Its reasurance on both parts that theyll turn up and have been paid.

    Its not worth it to them to not turn up to jobs and not deliver what they ssid as it would be a disaster for their business afterwards! But then its not worth them doing a job and not being paid.

    We are paying the dj on the day and thats it but i will have him paid before anything happens he can either come to house n collect money (hes a family friend) or my dad will run to venue when hes settin up at dinner time to pay him then so its not a worry of it later on
  4.  
    • Whovianbride
      CommentAuthorWhovianbride
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    It is standard just make sure you have a legal binding contract with them, and that they and you have insurance.

    Members signature icon
    Met June 2009 on my Birthday,Met again July 2009 and got
    together, May 2010 Moved in,Jan 2011 got pregnant,
    August 2011 Got our own place, 2011 Had our Baby Girl,
    Dec 2011 Got engaged, July 2015 Getting married! Yay!
  5.  
    • Irishbride2be
      CommentAuthorIrishbride2be
      Just marriedBadgeBadge
     
    we are booking everything 10-11 months in advance and everywhere is asking for a deposit now then the rest has to be paid off 1 month before some even 6 weeks before. our photographer is coming as part of our package so we aren't paying him directly so i wouldn't know about paying for that but i can see your concern especially if he is freelance! have you mentioned this to the photographer and see what he says? or go online and try to find some reviews on him and see how far they go back in dates and that will give you a rough idea of how long he has been operating and the quality of his work- it might give you some piece of mind
    xx

    Met my dream man on Halloween 2012
    Proposed to me in Spain 22nd July 2014
    Getting married 12 september 2015
    Marrying my forever best friend :-)
  6.  
    • Linzi-jo
      CommentAuthorLinzi-jo
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    That's standard with a wedding I'm afraid, the only thing we paid on the day was the church and the band xxx

    Members signature icon
    Got together 14.02.2008
    Got engaged 31.12.2010
    Will become a Mrs on 30.08.2014 xxxxxx
  7.  
    • kittyh
      CommentAuthorkittyh
      Just marriedBadgeBadge
     
    Yeah its is standard just make sure you have a written contract with all of them - that way you are covered and if you have wedding insurance even better! xx
  8.  
    • Becky1608
      CommentAuthorBecky1608
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    Everything we've booked has had to be fully paid in advance. As the other ladies have said, do you have a contract with the photographer? Xxx

    Members signature icon
    29/09/2008 - The Day we met
    12/11/2008 - When we decided to be more than friends
    04/11/2012 - A proposal in Central Park NYC
    08/11/2014 - The day we say I do!
  9.  
    • JennK
      CommentAuthorJennK
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    Yep everything is due around 4 weeks before the date. Scary scary.

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    Our perfect day - 08.08.15 <3


  10.  
    • Flossie
      CommentAuthorFlossie
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    As everyone else has said, that is standard. They need the reassurance that you actually have the money to pay them for the work they are doing or services they are providing. Just make sure you have a formal contract with any supplier x

    Members signature icon
    Happily married
    18th June 2016
    xx
  11.  
    • clairenina
      CommentAuthorclairenina
      Just marriedBadgeBadge
     
    Yes, pretty normal. Full balances are usually expected 4 to 6 weeks prior to your wedding
  12.  
    • CarrieD26
      CommentAuthorCarrieD26
      Just marriedBadgeBadge
     
    I have found exactly the same. Varying deposits to secure dates, balance due 4-6wks before. Make sure you have a contract before payment though!
  13.  
    • AprilS61
      CommentAuthorAprilS61
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    Normal in wedding world! Some things may require a £50 or 50% deposit, with full balance payable 3/4 weeks in advance. It's usually only entertainment (depends what you have of course) that needs paying on the day.

    Members signature icon
    Mr & Mrs Swan 04/04/15


  14.  
    • Elinor Claire
      CommentAuthorElinor Claire
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    We paid most things in advance. The car company would have accepted cash on the day, but I preferred to get it sorted out before. Same with the hair dressers. The videographer did wait until he met us to hand the DVDs over, as he was a friend. Otherwise it's reasonable for them to ask for payment before, as it is their living, and they will probably have to spend money in order to do the job. Plus they need to know that they will receive the money. As long as you have a paper contract for what they will offer you it's fine, as they are legally bound by it.

    Members signature icon
    30th August 2014 was the best birthday ever.
    It was the day that I became Mrs. Dixon.

  15.  
    • kjl87
      CommentAuthorkjl87
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    On the invoice it includes an "agreement" which seems like the contract. It says no signature is needed but by paying the deposit then I'm agreeing to what has been written in the terms and conditions.

    Makes me feel better that it seems to be the same across the board.
  16.  
    • InDreamland
      CommentAuthorInDreamland
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    Yes, we paid a deposit on booking all our suppliers but absolutely everything apart from the hair and makeup lady was paid up in full 4 weeks before the big day. This is quite normal x

    Members signature icon
    Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
    Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!

  17.  
    • *KelBel*
      CommentAuthor*KelBel*
      Is poweruserJust marriedBadgeBadge
     
    That is standard for everything I believe. In fact our photographer was 8 weeks before, our venue was structured( so so much at 12 weeks, so much at 8 then the rest at 4)... Etc. it's just the way they work as they could have got work elsewhere with weddings being big business x

    Members signature icon
    Velcro...my wedding day twinny! The Two Kel's!
    Got engaged 14/10/12 in Central Park NYC!
    Became Mrs Macdonald 13th September 2014
    Mummy to 4 girlies and baby blue boy Due 10/05/2016
  18.  
    • sarah
      CommentAuthorsarah
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    I find it really scary as well. Make sure you've got a contract for everything and wedding insurance.




  19.  
    • sALLY
      CommentAuthorsALLY
     
    yeah, the only thing that we pay for on the day is dj and accomodation. everything else is a month prior to date
  20.  
    • HazelM69
      CommentAuthorHazelM69
      Is poweruserJust marriedBadgeBadge
     
    I having to py everything month before nothing is being paid after
  21.  
    • *KelBel*
      CommentAuthor*KelBel*
      Is poweruserJust marriedBadgeBadge
     
    Get wedding insurance if you're concerned about the safety of the money you're paying out as you can never be too careful x

    Members signature icon
    Velcro...my wedding day twinny! The Two Kel's!
    Got engaged 14/10/12 in Central Park NYC!
    Became Mrs Macdonald 13th September 2014
    Mummy to 4 girlies and baby blue boy Due 10/05/2016
  22.  
    • CharlotteE98
      CommentAuthorCharlotteE98
      Just marriedBadgeBadge
      edited
     
    We've found that everything needs to be paid around a month in advance. It worried me a bit because I like to be organised but I'm just going to go with it. H2B is going to get the rings and possibly DJ paid off before Christmas because there isn't much to pay on them.
  23.  
    • Mrs T Hurley!
      CommentAuthorMrs T Hurley!
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    If you're concerned about a company going bust or not turning up, try paying by credit card - if the balance is over £100. Even if you pay 1p as a deposit, you are still covered, as long as what you are paying for is £100, I think up to £30000. x

    Members signature icon
    Met 18/09/03
    Engaged 06/09/08
    Getting married 05/09/17
 

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