Contracts Please Help

[riversidewedplanner]

Hello everyone,

I really need help from you as vendors. I introduced myself not to long ago. I am a wedding planner in Southern California. I was with another company for 8 years until they closed in February. I started my own company and I need a good contract. of course I remember the contract I had to use with the other company but the first one was very vague and the second one is confusing to the client and like a book.

Thanks in advance for your time!

[Valmai]

have mailed u a copy of ours xxx

[The Wedding Diva]

I just sent a copy of the one I use. WARNING: its long!

[WebLady]

As a wedding planner I don't see why you would need a contract more than a page or two. Mine is one page. My photography contract was 2 pages.

When I first started in business for myself years ago, I paid a lawyer $500 to re-write my contracts. It was rough for me at the time but I am glad I did it.

Since then I have worked with other vendors (in and out of the wedding industry) to help them tighten up their contracts and make them more clear and concise.

Feel free to PM me if you would like.

:goodluck:

[The Wedding Diva]

It is precisely the fact in itself that I am wedding planner why my contract is so long. I am with the bride from beginning to end most of the time, not just for a few hours like a photographer. More is expected of me. I must say that the length also includes exhibits of the package as well. I have had other women that I have worked with totally guffaw at my contract and its length and size, with the difference being they have been sued and had to pay out damages and I have not :)

As riverside will see my contract is extremely explicit. Prior to becoming a wedding planner, I studied law. I sent my contract over to my contract law professor who is a retired partner in a firm, and his exact words were "Your time with me was not ill-spent". It was good enough for him, it's more than good enough for me, and my clients have not blinked. They see that I am serious, and there will be no misunderstandings. They feel secure that it is so thorough and feel confident when I review their own contracts because I know what I am doing. I leave no room for assumptions or misinterpretations, which is another reason why my contract is so long.

Again, riverside, I hope it helps you and you can draw some ideas from it. Do what is best for you and your company.

[WebLady]

To 'The Wedding Diva' I think you take my comments too personally ... I was merely stating my experience and general opinion; you don't need to 'defend' yourself as my comments have nothing to do with you.

To 'riversidewedplanner' I have seen contracts that are half a page to several pages in length. You will find that every business is different. In general the length of the contract as alot to do with what you are actually doing. So you have to decide what is best for you to cover all your bases.

I think a good contract should spell out everything the client is paying for in detail. Outline the when, the where, and the who and the how much ... details about the start and end time as well as a detailed list of the products and/or other services you are providing. The contract should also include the fees for overtime rates and/or late fees and any other payment terms including the deposit amounts and when remaining payments are expected.

Your contract should also state your cancellation policy as well as default in payment terms (like if payment isn't paid in full by the wedding date for example) and default in service terms (like what happens if you don’t so up or show up late or otherwise don’t deliver products and/or services as promised) And of course there should be a limited liability clause somewhere in there too.

Best wishes in your new venture!

[The Wedding Diva]

Weblady, no offense, but I don't put much stake on anything said here. What you do works for you and what I do works for me. Your comments have the tendency to undermine anything that I say, so I feel the need to explain the way I practice my work, especially in an instance where I have sent my work as a suggestion to another member.

I don't take it personally-- I don't know you or your work to let your comments affect me, so they don't. This is not being said in a nasty or catty way, I'm just being honest. I appreciate all input from all members, and I clarify what I feel can lead to a misunderstanding. You may call that clarification "defense"-- but toMAYto, toMAHto, KWIM? My comments were my experience and general opinion, not a defense.

As long as your practice works for you-- go for it. Ride it until the wheels fall off. I'll do the same :)

[WebLady]

Weblady, no offense, but I don't put much stake on anything said here. What you do works for you and what I do works for me. Your comments have the tendency to undermine anything that I say, so I feel the need to explain the way I practice my work, especially in an instance where I have sent my work as a suggestion to another member.

I don't take it personally-- I don't know you or your work to let your comments affect me, so they don't. This is not being said in a nasty or catty way, I'm just being honest. I appreciate all input from all members, and I clarify what I feel can lead to a misunderstanding. You may call that clarification "defense"-- but toMAYto, toMAHto, KWIM? My comments were my experience and general opinion, not a defense.

As long as your practice works for you-- go for it. Ride it until the wheels fall off. I'll do the same :)

Like I said before, I was only offering my opinion and my experiences ... Perhaps it was me that took your 'defense/clairfication' the wrong way, who knows, but I am not nor have not ever tried to undermind you by any means, that is why I wanted to clarify.

Like you said, if it works for you go for it. Not everything will work for everyone and not everyone will agree on will work for others. I don't know you and you don't know me, I have no ill will towards you or anyone here, I am just here to help where I can.

So I am going to wish you and riverside all the best.

[The Wedding Diva]

I feel the same way you do-- I am here to help where I can, and also get ideas as well for my own wedding :)

The internet leaves a lot for interpretation-- you cannot hear voice inflection or see facial expressions. It is easy to misconstrue things. If we don't agree, it's what makes you "you" and me "me" that's all. Let each person sort it out for themselves and find out what works for them. I don't expect everyone to agree on what will work for everyone, because no one knows but the individual, and it is up to them to figure it out for themselves-- not you or me, or to cast doubt.

You have fantastic ideas, and you have been a pillar in this community. I admire that.

[WebLady]

I feel the same way you do-- I am here to help where I can, and also get ideas as well for my own wedding :)

Well Contrats! I didn't realize you were getting married too!

... The internet leaves a lot for interpretation-- you cannot hear voice inflection or see facial expressions. It is easy to misconstrue things.
You are defiantly right there (maybe we need more smileys) My sister and I have gotten into email 'fights' because she takes something I said the wrong way and vice versa. Then when we talk we realize neither meant things that way.

... You have fantastic ideas, and you have been a pillar in this community. I admire that.
TY, that is nice :hug: I am always glad to help.

Well I guess that is all I am gonna say here ... I hope riverside doesn't think we were hijacking her thread and get out with the :chair: ;)

[riversidewedplanner]

Hello everyone,

I really really appreciate all of your help, ideas, and advice. Keep the samples coming. As one professional to another I am greatful for your professional opinions, we should be able to help each out. Thanks again!

Marlo
riversidewedplanner
Southern California

[wedbyjean]

I'm going to jump in here regarding the length of my contract (often 2 1/2 pages). I agree with the other posts that "if it works for you, go with it." However, you've got to protect yourself. My contract is more that just simply stating that for $x I will do this and this and this. Nearly half of my the text of my contract are "clauses" -- including, "if the contract and initial payment aren't returned by such-and-such date, the contract will be null and void," a "returned check policy," "the agreement terminates upon completion of the above stated duties," and "only coordinators provided by WFTH are permitted to assume the above stated duties, and if anyone else attempting to assume these duties will be a breach of contract.

While some may view these clauses as harsh, they were added through the years when problems arose (or potential problems could have come up) so that they won't be a problem in the future. Because problems for me mean only two things -- 1) the client will be a problem, or 2) someone close to the client will be a problem, which will reflect poorly on the wedding day.