How do people pay for this stuff!?..

I usually ask for 1/2 to hold the date and 1/2 a month before. But I try to be flexible with payment plans if my couples need them.

Usually there is a payment due when you book, say $250 to hold the caterer. Then you pay the rest a day before or the day of the wedding. I haven't heard of any vendors accepting any payment after the day of the wedding though, if thats what your wondering. With a wedding comes a lot of saving up money. What every you do, dont take out loans!!! that is the WRONG way to start your marriage.

Some do offer payment plans! we've booked our photographer and flowers and they offered it

All of the vendors I have chosen have been wonderful and completely flexible. Our entire life is a payment plan when it comes to the wedding! Talk to the vendors you go with and see how flexible they are. Some of them might be, some might not. It might make your vendor choice a little easier

Vendors ask for everything for 25% to 50% to hold your date...

And most of them you dont have to pay off till X days before your wedding...

My vendors have been flexible as well. As long as your budget is within reason, of course.

Alot of vendors need so much up front then do some type of payment plan I know my venue we have to be paid in full 5 days before the wedding...they do have a payment plan but we are just giving them money when we can we dont want to over pay them

With money....hence why you must save or have another plan. We didnt save anything, we're just paying as we go. Most vendors require a down payment to hold the date and then the rest before or the day of the wedding.

Talk to your vendors, we had a payment plan for our photographer/dj/reception venue/limo/dress/tuxes/florist ... the church and the organist wanted $100 a piece to reserve the date and our rehearsal we paid them off ... also make sure you read over your contracts, all of mine included a gratuity for their services, which meant I didn't have to worry about tips the day of the wedding ...

Definitely talk to your vendors. Mine all said they didn't mind if we made payments throughout the process, as long as the balance was paid in full by XX date. None of them set up an "official" payment plan, they just allowed us to pay what we could, when we could.

We not only did that to hold ourselves accountable for actually saving the money for wedding things, but also to not have a single vendor to pay (other than my independent hair stylist) on the day of the wedding. One less thing to worry about the week before!

My venue told me 10% done to book the room and 90% due 10 days before the wedding.

We did the same thing as Ashley. We paid most vendors partly with the deposit, and partly until day X. The only thing we did multiple payments on was the venue. But that was also our largest tab, because it included food, drinks, ceremony site, chairs and the dance floor. It was an official payment plan, but we did it that way anyway. They didn't care as long as everything was paid until the wedding.

We also spread somethings out. Like one month I bought the dress, paid for alterations next month, then my DH got his tux...

I love payment plans and would like to pay off my vendors in full when possible. I cannot wait to finish paying off our venue, officiant, flowers, alterations, etc.

I have beeen fortunate to have vendors that have been very flexible. i just explain to them that i am on a budget and that's why i planning so far in advance and have set a date so far out and that i have to make payments. they usually always ask for a holding deposit but so far it has been very minimal and they have been really quite helpful, and the one's that aren't are not worth your time because they're are plenty that are.

It depends on vendors but some offer payment plans...with me I set my budget, and fh and i decided what was most important(ceremony and good food/music) and got creative with things...i lucked out with having a friend DJ, and FH friend do our photos. I am having my wedding at a local park and saving on venue there...

A professional wedding vendor will ask you for a deposit to hold your date. Your agreement (written contract) should have your payment schedule dates clearly outlined. May I suggest getting a calendar specifically for the purpose of keeping up with what is due when and to whom. That would help you keep things up to date and let you know what is coming up.

Best wishes to you and your FH on your upcoming marriage!

You'll fine that the total number is very very scary, but if you tackle different deposits at different months, you might find that the total amount due on the day of isn't all that bad. The little things add up, which is why the final number is a little scary.

Agreed! I think anytime you add the word "wedding" the price goes up 100%. Some venues in California require a large deposit, but most vendors require a smaller amount up front and then the balance around 2 weeks out. We wonder every other day how we are going to pay for it and would it be better spent on our son's (14 yrs old) college tuition. But we also want our celebration to be special. So we are not going into debt for it and making sure the meanings/rituals are at the forefront.

Good luck. It is a huge undertaking.

Thank you all! and I agree as well...it is very scary...when i think about it, I can feel my Blood pressure rise, and a possible anxiety attack! I dont know who is worse, me or my fiance.

My caterer requires a 500 deposit to hold the date then balance for food 5 days prior to the wedding. Payment for servers and alcohol are due 30 days after event.

My videographer requires half to hold date and balance due when product is delivered.

Those are my only two vendors that allowed for payment after wedding. All of the others required deposits and final payment any where from 1 week to 4 weeks prior to date.