{"id":82065,"date":"2024-08-08T06:27:28","date_gmt":"2024-08-08T11:27:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thryv.co.nz\/blog\/quirky-payment-issues-every-wedding-pro-understands-2\/"},"modified":"2024-10-16T09:29:48","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T14:29:48","slug":"quirky-payment-issues-every-wedding-pro-understands-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thryv.co.nz\/blog\/quirky-payment-issues-every-wedding-pro-understands-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Wedding Planner Payment: Coordinating Issues & Scheduling"},"content":{"rendered":"

Professionals in the wedding business<\/a><\/strong> face unique struggles. You work hard to deliver experiences your clients have been dreaming of their entire lives. You navigate multiple issues and emotional stakeholders, all while trying to run a business.<\/p>\n

And when the theme of the day is love and romance, the issue of money can seem out of place — especially when it comes to collecting payments as a wedding planner.<\/p>\n

There are some interesting problems that come along with long lead times and high emotions. Especially when you’re talking about payments<\/a><\/strong>. Whether you\u2019re a wedding planner, DJ or florist, here are just a few of the quirky payment issues that wedding vendors like you deal with all the time.<\/p>\n

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Email and Text Templates to Ask for Missing Payments<\/span><\/p>\n Download<\/span><\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Wedding Planner Payment Problems<\/h2>\n

Below are four common problems that wedding planners face when running their businesses.<\/p>\n\"wedding\n

1. Deciding on Deposits<\/h3>\n

Most people plan their weddings several months in advance. That means vendors usually invest resources on planning or production before delivery. Whether you\u2019re a baker investing time in cake design, tastings or special supplies; or a wedding coordinator making calls, scouting venues, and hiring temporary staff<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 no one wants to work for free. At the same time, you want to make it easy for clients to do business with you.<\/p>\n

So how do you cover your expenses without discouraging potential customers from signing a contract with you?<\/p>\n

Many vendors require a deposit when signing a contract. This ranges anywhere from 10-50% of the overall quote<\/a><\/strong>. The deposit goes toward the final price paid for the service. While this can help with the initial costs you incur, you typically have to refund the deposit if the client chooses to cancel.<\/p>\n

Retainers vs Deposits<\/h4>\n

Another option is a retainer. The client pays the retainer up front and you keep it if the client cancels. One photographer on BridalTweet<\/a><\/strong> requires a signed contract and 25% of the photography package as a retainer to reserve the date.<\/p>\n\"what\n

The retainer still goes toward the final price of the service, but it safeguards you from losing too much money by not being available for another client if the original one cancels. Depending on the season, you may want to increase or decrease this retainer.<\/p>\n

An added benefit to a retainer is that your client is more financially invested. This makes them less likely to choose another vendor on a whim.<\/p>\n

A note about retainers:<\/strong> Retainers are non-refundable as long as the client is the one who backs out. If you’re the one to cancel the contract, you must return it. And if your client sues you to get this retainer back, you could be stuck paying the legal fees too. Here’s the legal case<\/a> of a photographer who had to do just that.<\/p>\n

2. Everyone Wants to Pay<\/h3>\n

How many times has a parent or relative approached you to pay for part of your service as a gift to the couple? Weddings are wonderful because so many people want to contribute. But this can make it difficult to coordinate payments from different parties.<\/p>\n

Always remember:<\/strong> While you may be getting input (and payments) from multiple parties, there should only be one person on your contract who is financially responsible for the final bill.<\/p>\n

Another issue with multiple people contributing financially is when they use it as a delay tactic<\/a><\/strong>. Or, when they’re just trying to get you to work for free. \u201cOh, my mom is going to make that payment tomorrow, but I just need you to\u2026\u201d is a familiar phrase to many in the wedding biz.<\/p>\n