Don't pay your vendors in full before the wedding!

That's crazy, I'm sorry to hear.

My contract with my photographer requires payment in full before the wedding. But I personally know my photographer, plus she's a really great friend.

I guess I may be a little too-trusting of people, but I have personally worked with most of my vendors when I was in the wedding industry so I don't mind paying them in full. If I don't know a vendor all that well, then I would be hesitant.

Great that your bank is refunding you sorry about your situation.

We paid everything in full the only thing that isn't paid off at this point in the reception for the bar tab and also the florist.

We went with local people who I don't think will scam. I think if you use a large company then your advice would work, but I think if you know and trust and it's a small business you can pay it off.

Glad things worked out for you with the bank.

Not too many vendors will agree with waiting until the wedding day to get paid in full. Sorry, I'd never agree to it.

Ugh, how awful. so glad to hear that you're getting the deposit back.

as for the good reviews, from what i understand (and correct me if i'm wrong) this site, and others, allow vendors to delete negative reviews. and this site doesn't allow people to post about specific vendors (which i think is so dumb). so its hard for any bride to get an unbiased opinion.

personally, i chose a photog that my friends have used in the past and for my band, i emailed a few of their past customers and got opinions from them. i chose the florist from a "preferred vendors" list that my venue provided.

Wow!! I can not believe that!

I know most of our vendors want the money at least 1/2 weeks prior to the event. sorry it happened to you.

Most want a dep and then to be paid in full quit close to the wedding date. My goodness I'm glad this didn't happen to you.

As most of the previous brides have said, a lot of my vendors require payment in full before. My photographer is 1 month prior and the DJ is 2 and the venue site is 2 weeks.

However I am using services which other friends and family have used so I have several personal references, not just what I read online. Therefore I have no qualms with paying them in full before the day of.

I think the OP is trying to warn others to pay them in accordance to your contract terms, but do not pay them off months in advance.

But Heather I'm glad you were able to get your money back!

All of my venders require payments in full atleast a few weeks before the wedding, this is starting to freak me out! my photographer told me there was another photographer in the area that charged between $**** and she didnt even show up to the wedding! worst.nightmare.ever.

We had to pay our vendors in full before the wedding occurred. We were lucky though, as our wedding venue closed just four months after our wedding. The venue kept all deposits, even those paid in full with upcoming weddings. It's scary. They were in business for years and we had no reason to think they would close. I feel so bad for those brides. And you. Luckily you're getting money back.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/chandler/articles/20130709former-chandler-wedding-venue-inspirador-sold.html

Ugh. We know all of our vendors personally and I still am not paying them until it says to on the contract!

I'm glad you will be whole again and that you have time to find someone before the wedding. You may even get a deal at this point with someone who's not booked yet.

Sound advice. I'm so glad you are getting your deposit back, but it's frustrating to have to deal with all the same! Best of luck moving forward.

Just discussed this very topic with my planner. We agreed I wouldn't pay off vendors in advance in case something happens but have the money in a wedding account. Most vendors do want to be paid before the event because from their aspect they have refused business on that day for you so they need to make sure they're paid. Doesn't mean you have to pay them in full months in advance though !!!

I also require the final 30 days before, but I don't encourage people to pay way ahead; stick it in a savings account, even at 1%, and rest easier!

That's horrible! I can't stand when vendors treat people like that! Makes me so angry!

@Christina WW does not allow vendors to delete negative reviews. However, they

ARE allowed to dispute a review, and the review will be taken down if the couple did not actually hire them. Only vendors who have been hired can actually be reviewed on WW.

When a business goes out of business they don't keep the money on purpose. Many would like to refund people money but the bank freezes their accounts. Once in bankruptcy most judges do not order the return of monies. Rather all money seized by the bank is kept to bring down their debt. This is why I will not pay any vendor 1 day earlier than the contract call for.

All of our vendors (most are local) require to be paid in full 2-4 weeks before the wedding. So that's when I'm making the final payments. So I am just going to stick to when the contract says the money is due.

Most vendors require payment in full before the wedding. One way to protect yourself is to pay by credit card. If the vendor doesn't show up, you can dispute their charge through your credit card company.

As others have said most wedding professionals require payment in full before rendering of services. I no longer take personal checks from brides because so many bounced on me.

Like said above, most pros will not accept that. We feel comfortable with our choices because our venue recommended the photographer who recommended the other vendors. DJ balance is due 1 week prior, photographer was 1/3 to book, 1/3 1-2 weeks and bal when our pics come in, videographer balance is due 2 weeks prior and our photo booth balance is due 10 days prior. We feel confident that they will show up. They are reputable.

Edited for typo.