Deposit before contract?

I was able to read my contract first. That does sound odd.

I think it's standard to see a contract before booking. I agree that stopping in and going over a contract and then paying the deposit is the best route to go.

I signed a contract before handing over a deposit. I would ask about it...

Your gut is right here! Don't pay a deposit without reviewing and signing a contract!

Go in and sign the contract to pay. Def not online/over the phone

Get the contract first! Don not give any $$ without.

Thank you all! I'm super glad it's not just me feeling iffy. I did respond politely that we would just feel more comfortable stopping in and reading a contract first and then we would be happy to pay the deposit after review. You all have affirmed my decision.

You should definitely see a contract first. We got to read ours right before handing over the money for the deposit and signed it right after

You should have a contract first! Good for you!!!

I had a few vendors ask for a deposit without a contract.

I simply told them that I wasn't comfortable paying anything until a contract was signed by both parties. Its for my protection as well as theirs so they were all understanding. I was actually really surprised that it isn't standard, but people do business in different ways, I guess.

Yeah, we were given the contract before we gave the deposit. When we went in to give the deposit, we both signed the contract. But we were able to look it over and make tweaks before we left any money.

We saw a contract/quote/proposal first, the venue was able to provide this the day we went in to see it, we were given a hard copy and sent us digital copy via email before we left. We didn't give a deposit until the next day.

@Erin H totally agree. I'm surprised this isn't standard as well. All places are different but I want to know what I'm paying/signing up for and what the terms are. Glad you stood your ground too!

You should always have a contract in hand before making a deposit. Especially a $1,000 non-refundable deposit.

@Celia thank you your advice is always so helpful. Just this morning I was taking screen shots on your advice on how to save money/things to skip lol. Super valuable stuff you add to this community. It's my first interaction with you (I believe) so just waned to say thank you

Agree with others. Review and sign the contract first, and then provide the deposit. This may all happen at the same time / meeting, but you must be able to review the contract before handing over money.

I would want to read a contract first. Ours was done online for a destination wedding and the credit information was on the last page after I submitted an electronic signature agreeing to the contract.

Everything was done via snail mail for me. She mailed me the contract (and reserved the date for 2 weeks to wait for my deposit) then i read, signed and sent check back. I WOULD NOT send money without reading AND signing a contract.

Well depends on the venue because I could have done that over the phone then she would email me the contact to fax back but I decided to just go up there on lunch and pay so I could get the contract at the same time.

They wouldn't give me my contract beforehand but I made an appt., looked over the contract and then paid the deposit. Paying before seeing a contract sounds sketchy.