As the title says - always get written quotes from mates acting as suppliers for you - my OH has some work colleagues acting as suppliers for us, and now that they've given us final costs, they've really stung us!!
First of all, the lady doing the canapés had originally given us a few ideas of canapés, along with a price list from where she used to work, to show us the variety of canapés they provided as ideas. So I thought ok, the platinum package is the worst case scenario here, and there are prices for 4 per person and 6 per person, and as I've asked for 5 per person - I'll budget for a figure somewhere in the middle of these. I.e. £260. So one month to go, we confirm the canapés (not really the ones that we had discussed (don't fancy them much myself tbh), but I was flexible so that she can prepare some in advance, as its an early wedding and I'm now at the point where I can't be bothered fussing about something as trivial as canape selections), and the final cost was £350!! That's nearly 40% more than we had budgeted for, but with 4 weeks to go, what can we do?!? So we sucked it up and sent her the cheque.
Now, with less than 3 weeks to go, the colleague who was arranging the string quartet had given us the final price... So we expected to pay a bit more than originally discussed as there are some non-standard pieces of music we've asked for which they've learned especially. These extra pieces are £25 each (quite reasonable, I thought) but now the basic rate as discussed has now jumped from £350 to £500 - costing £575 in total!! We suspect its because she won't be OH's colleague for much longer as she's not renewed her contract, but it is really annoying!!
I'm kicking myself that we trusted these people to stick to what they said, and that we didn't get things formally agreed when we first started discussing it all. So now we're out of pocket, and my pot of money for honeymoon spends is severely diminished :-(
Let my failings be a lesson to all you brides asking 'mates' to help you out on the day!
CommentAuthorRachelE118
I made a similar mistake. I booked a florist all sorted. A friend from years back contacted me, was opening a florist could she do my wedding? I agreed, cancelled the first one. Then 6 weeks before the wedding the 'friend' decided she was closing the shop and couldn't help me!!!! Arghhhhh! Anyway, I went online, booked silk and they are stunning and half the price. But my advice would be similar to yours thought I'd not advise using friends at all xx
CommentAuthorAmyK
Our photographer and videographer are mates, and they've been great - we agreed fees on email pretty much right upfront, but alas, not for canapés or music. Win some, lose some I suppose, but its a bit difficult to magic the extra money at this late stage!
CommentAuthorAmyK
P.s. Rachel E - rotten for her to let you down like that! Shop or not, she still could've gone to the wholesalers and done it for you. Glad you got it sorted though
CommentAuthorRachelE118
Amy I asked her that she used every excuse under the sun!
We've got a friend doing the video but that's it for suppliers. The two choirs that we are a part of are singing, but they are not paid, and will do it because they want to.
30th August 2014 was the best birthday ever.
It was the day that I became Mrs. Dixon.
CommentAuthorKatya
edited
I have done almost everything myself, we have the venue who are providing the food & i have sent all the details across using my own standard briefs, they have agreed the prices with me & have not needed to send me a quote as I have done it myself lol. I have it written down in email between myself & the venue that they are holding all of the hotel rooms (7 in total) & that we will be having one of those, & that we have final say as to which of our guests get put into which room.
We are using students as photographers & Videographers, we offered £50 for the job & 3 people came back to us, wanting to take the job on, no one has asked for any more money & we are currently arranging to meet with them to get contracts signed
I always advise to have a contract even if it is just a simple one that specifies the following: names of both parties addresses of both parties phone numbers of both parties email addresses of both parties venues for the item required (cake will only need reception venue, however flowers would need ceremony & reception venues specified) item required (3 tier black & with cake with heart shaped cake topper/ bridal bouquet, 3 bridesmaids bouquets, 6 buttonholes, etc) Delivery address dates required price cancellation policy (if cancelled by client no monies paid is refundable) (if cancelled by supplier all monies paid is refundable) this covers each of you in turn Also include when each payment & how much is due when date it (both parties) sign it (both parties)
