When I meet with couples, we talk about their marriage proposal, their wedding party and their wedding day vision. And I love every minute of the discussion. But, I’m surprised by the lack of the “boring” questions that engaged couples ask.  You know which questions I’m talking about — The questions about insurance, contract policies, staffing, and wedding experience.  These questions may not be a lot of fun, but they are equally important.

When you meet with your potential wedding vendors, remember to ask these ten “boring” questions.

“Do you have general liability insurance?”

All of your wedding vendors should have insurance that protects their work. When meeting with your caterer or baker, ask if they have a food handler license too because they definitely should have one.  Pro Tip: You are well within your right to ask for proof of insurance (or a certificate of insurance).

“Will you be present at my wedding?”

Don’t assume the person you are speaking with at your consultation will be the person working on-site at your wedding.  If s/he won’t be at your wedding, ask about the experience and work style of the person who will be present at your wedding day.

“How many of your staff members will be present at my wedding?”

You should ask this question to your wedding planning team, your caterer, your bartender, your photographer, your videographer, and your hair and make-up artists. You want to ensure there is proper staffing, AND, you want to ensure the agreed upon number of staff members is noted in your contract.  Pro Tip: There should be 1 bartender for every 75 wedding guests and there should be 1 banquet staff member for every 15 wedding guests.

“Have you ever worked on a wedding at this venue before?”

While it is not a necessity for your wedding vendors to have worked at your wedding venue, it is definitely helpful. Having worked at a particular wedding venue in the past gives your vendors the “leg up.” They will already know the venue contacts, and the rules and policies, and the little quirks related to your wedding venue.

“How long have you been working in the wedding industry professionally?  Are you full-time?”

It’s important to know if your wedding vendor has experience with weddings, and it is also important to know if your wedding vendor is available full-time or only available during the evenings or weekends.

“Am I able to make any changes to the services or the guest count after I sign the contract?”

Some vendors will allow you to make changes after the contract is signed, and some won’t. So, I encourage you to know the answers to these questions beforehand.

“What is your back-up plan if you are unable to work at my wedding?”

Many wedding vendors are solo entrepreneurs, so you want to know what your vendors have in place to protect their services in case of an emergency.

“What is your cancellation policy?”

So many factors could affect a wedding vendor contract — change of heart, change of management, acts of God, acts of government, etc. So, you want to know (in advance) what is required of you (and the vendor) if you cancel your wedding or if your wedding vendor cancels.

“What other fees will we have to pay? Are there any other hidden fees?”

Some additional fees may include parking, mileage, overnight accommodations, and hot vendor meals. If you don’t ask these questions before you sign on the dotted line, these unexpected expenses could wreak havoc on your budget.

“Is there a financial incentive if I pay with a check or if I pay in full?”

You may save yourself between 5 and 7% if you pay with a check or pay in full. If your wedding is scheduled to take place during off-season, consider asking if there is a price break for off-season weddings.

Bonus Question. “May I have 3 references from weddings you have worked on in the last 2 to 3 years?” If possible, ask that one of the references come from a wedding that took place at your venue. Do the legwork and check the references.

Pro Tip. Remember to read the fine print of the vendor proposals and contracts. Document the answers to your boring questions in writing before you sign the contract.

Are You Ready to Get Start on Your Wedding Planning?

Contact the professional wedding planning team at Howerton+Wooten Events to get started on your wedding planning journey.

Love & Soul Always, Kawania

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