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JMA
VIP August 2017

Deposit before contract?

JMA, on June 28, 2016 at 2:03 PM

Posted in Etiquette and Advice 49

Hi all, hoping you can lend some advice. To secure the date of my wedding my venue is asking for a $1000 deposit. Totally cool, that's standard. She said via email to call in with a credit card number to pay the deposit and book the date. I emailed her back asking for a time to come in. From what I...

Hi all, hoping you can lend some advice. To secure the date of my wedding my venue is asking for a $1000 deposit. Totally cool, that's standard. She said via email to call in with a credit card number to pay the deposit and book the date. I emailed her back asking for a time to come in. From what I understand I should be able to read a contract of sorts before giving any money (especially anything non refundable). I feel like just handing over the deposit without anything in writing is not protecting my best interests. Am I off on this? Thoughts?

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49 Comments

  • StitchingBride
    Master October 2014
    StitchingBride ·
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    I wouldn't give anybody two cents without having some sort of written agreement, and I would never hand over my credit card number or a 1000 dollars without a contract first.

    I wouldn't do it! Glad you're questioning it!

    • Reply
  • Sara
    Master April 2017
    Sara ·
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    Contact first then $$ definitely

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  • Celia Milton
    Celia Milton ·
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    Fantastic!!! Maybe you've jogged them to think about changing their procedure too.

    I"m always a little mystified by my colleagues who don't have contracts; this is exactly how things get screwed up, lol....

    So on to the next!

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  • Mrs. Nicole
    Master May 2016
    Mrs. Nicole ·
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    Yeah, weird.

    I've always paid a deposit upon booking, while signing the contract that I read.

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  • K
    VIP May 2025
    KRAIN ·
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    My venue met with us and then sent us home with copies of the contract amongst other information. We were told to send back the contract and deposit within two weeks if we wanted to book.

    Good for you for catching this one! That way you can sort out any questions/issues before laying a big chunk of money.

    ETA spelling

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  • mother of the bride
    Devoted August 2016
    mother of the bride ·
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    Make sure you read the contract first. There could be a lot of hidden fees you may not be aware of.

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  • Loganna
    Super October 2016
    Loganna ·
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    ETA: I just saw your update! Good! Glad it worked out!

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  • MsJeaT
    Super October 2017
    MsJeaT ·
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    I agree with everyone else... contract/deposit go hand in hand. they should give you a proposal to look over at least and have you give the deposit when you sign. My venue held our date for about 2 weeks (one week is standard we asked for an extension) with no financial obligation. we gave our deposit the day we signed our contract.

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  • Kiwi Kawaii
    Master August 2016
    Kiwi Kawaii ·
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    You are right on that. I didn't pay any of my vendors a deposit until I had seen and signed a contract.

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