Achieving a common understanding with your vendors is crucial for doing business. Ideally, contracts keep all parties honest by spelling out everyone’s expectations. However, they’re also one key foundation that contributes to building mutually respectful and amiable relationships between you and these professionals. Before you sign any wedding vendor contract, take a look at some sound advice that should govern these types of agreements.

The Anatomy of a Contract

In the United States, contracts are typically governed by state laws and the Uniform Commercial Code. Ali Noland at A Practical Wedding explains that the three basic parts of a contract are an offer, consideration, and acceptance. The term “consideration” refers to what each party is required to do or abstain from doing, such as paying money for someone to take photographs. The Knot writers Ivy Jacobson and Heidi Tandy also discuss the elements you’ll find in most wedding vendor agreements:

• Dates and times of services
• Your event date
• Names of all parties involved
• Initial deposits and future payment amounts
• Description of services to be rendered
• Clauses addressing insurance requirements and liability issues
• Refund and cancellation policies

Negotiating an Agreement

In an October 2016 Brides article, contributor Anna Price Olson offers useful tips for working out a pact between you and a vendor. As you shop, you’ll first need a detailed description of the products and services you want as well as a budgeted amount that you’re willing to spend. After choosing a vendor, it’s time to discuss critical details and get the specifics of your agreement in writing. Keep in mind that flexibility is also important during this stage. Jacobson and Tandy recommend working with the professional to tailor existing written accords to your needs. This smart move allows you to benefit from contingency planning in emergencies. This includes getting access to alternative facilities in case of a weather outbreak.

Watch Out for Warning Signs 

Brides contributor Sandy Malone cautions couples to diligently review their contracts for some potential problematic elements. One major warning sign is a clause preventing you from posting reviews of the vendor online, as that’s a huge hint that it may have left a lot of dissatisfied clients in its wake. Other things to be wary of include minimum guest counts and extreme cancellation policies, such as having to make full payment if you cancel less than 90 days prior to your date.

Meanwhile, Ali Noland also calls attention to a couple of sneaky legal tactics in her write-up for A Practical Wedding. First, steer clear of accords with mandatory arbitration or mediation provisions, which take away your right to sue if the vendor breaches the contract. Secondly, do not sign a contract that’s bound by another state’s laws. This is especially true if it specifies that you must appear in a different state’s courts for disputes.

Finalizing Your Contract

Your final step is to read each wedding vendor contract thoroughly, ensuring that it contains the logistics for your event such as the time and date, services rendered, and payments expected. Make sure you understand everything it contains before signing, especially when it comes to cancellation, liability, and refund policies. Moreover, make sure any modifications you’ve verbally discussed with the vendor appear within its text.

Contracts are part of the grease that makes businesses run, but agreements with your vendor should start with open communication between all parties. Best practices include asking questions and negotiating an agreement’s terms to suit your needs. You should also read the fine print carefully and avoid signing anything that’s legally onerous or puts you at a disadvantage. These tips should ensure a smooth ride with your wedding professionals as you work with them to craft your special day’s vision.