How many contracts are you paying on at once?

Just curious to know how most of you went about paying vendors. I have booked the facility and paid it off, now I have a deposit for the photographer sent off. Should I wait until the photographer is paid off and then book the florist? or have two active contracts at once? How do most people do this? I do want to give myself PLENTY of time to pay, though I dont want to bite off more than I can chew either.



Wedding is next year.

How many contracts are you paying on at once?
look at your budget and possibly set up a payment plan with as many as you can comfortably manage, that way the wedding gets paid for and you do it within your means and your budget



basically yes you can pay one at a time, donw payments or have several contracts running. you want to do and book as much as you can (maybe do deposits then payments) to secure the vendors you want for the days you want
Reply:None actually. The venue/caterer was given a $300.00 deposit and final payment is due the week prior when final head count is given.



The DJ is a friend of the family and does all of the functions, so payment of $300.00 is due the day of.



The Photographer, same deal, he is a Friend of the family and does all of the special occasions and the payment of $300.00 (all digital) isn't actually due until we receive the photos 2 weeks after the wedding, when we get back from the honeymoon.
Reply:I agree, don't have too many outstanding contracts. However, you might want to talk to your florist and see how busy they are. If they are already getting booked for your wedding date, you might have to carry 2 contracts at once. You don't want to not get the florist you want, just because you are trying to be financially responsible.



I'm not saying put everything on credit, and take out loans, going into debt... but if timing is critical, and you can afford to, I'd book now.



Good luck, and Congratulations!
Reply:Your photographer should either require you to pay a week beofr the wedding OR when you recieve product... and the florist also requires down payment then the rest of the payment the day of. I'd say if you can afford it then pay them off first them move to the next. We arn't giving anyone money till the week before the wedding.. and some are getting paid off before. Ont he flowers.. Do them yourself. I had a florist quote me.. 2,500 ..that was for everyones flowers and ONE table..the rest of the reception would have been empty..My soon to be mother in law is doing them and it will only cost 600 for EVERYTHING! good luck.
Reply:I didn't hand over actual money beyond the minimum required deposit a day before I had to. What if something changes or goes wrong, or you change vendors?--you'll have a heck of a time getting your money back. We kept putting money aside into a savings account (where it earns a little interest, which it won't do in the hands of your vendors) the whole 13 months we were engaged. Why would you pre-pay (unless you get a decent discount for doing so)? Hold onto your money until you have to pay.



I don't recommend waiting too long to book all your vendors. Our venue books up a year ahead, the DJ up to eight months ahead (especially in spring with weddings, proms, graduations, anniversaries, etc.) and the photographer up to six months ahead. If you wait too long to book these people, the good ones won't be available.



Get your budget together, book vendors for no more than your budget, and then put that money aside every month (or week). By the time the money is due, you'll have it in the bank account, under your control, and earning interest for you.
Reply:Well, we put deposits down on everyone once we booked them, so we have vendors we are making payments to at the same time. The baker, the person who is doing our favors, the flowers. The reverend, the place we are getting married and having the reception, and the caterer all need finale payment the day of the wedding. I am hoping to pay them at least by the rehearsal so I don't have to worry about paying anyone the day of. You should book the florist now and put a down payment on them because they might already be booked for your day. I ran into that problem, I had to go to another florist. Just talk to vendors and see how they will set up the payments for you.