Make up artist

I would definitely not book a vendor without a contract. What if she just decides not to come? Or raise her prices?

I wouldn't book without a contract. Contracts protect both you and her, and I don't know any experienced professionals who are willing to go without one. I wouldn't risk it, even if you like how she does your makeup. Without a contract, there's nothing guaranteeing the prices, services agreed upon, times, etc. She could easily take your deposit and not come, come and not be there for the correct amount of time, etc. You also need rescheduling and cancellation policies in writing. Without a contract, you would be unable to do anything about it if she screwed you over in some way.

I would also not recommend making any deposits without a contract, especially in today's COVID environment. I hate to say it outloud, but as we all know, nothing is guaranteed right now, so I would at least demand something in writing stating what happens if plans change...will the deposit be refunded, moved without penalty to another date, etc? Also that travel fee is CRAZY!! Anyway, maybe you can find a simple, generic service contract online that is something you are both comfortable with where you can list everything (agreed upon amount, schedule of payments, deposit refund ability, etc).

I agree. I would look for another makeup artist if she is not willing to put together a legal contract. The contract should also list deposit amount and deposit due date, rates, fees, etc. That is a large travel fee, especially for being less than an hour away.

Nope you need a contract esp right now during COVID and postponements or even vendors cancelling if they have to. It sucks but I would look else where and I would ask about the travel fee as mine as long it is within the area they will not charge a fee or for 30 minutes should not be a huge fee.

Run girl, run!

Unfortunately, I wouldn't trust anyone without guarantees in writing. I'm sorry, hun.

I wouldn’t feel comfortable without a contract. Especially with COVID going around, I would ask her to draw one up. But then again $120 for a travel fee is ridiculous. Usually within a certain radius vendors don’t have travel fees and even if so definitely not $120.

No no I wouldn't hire them at just their word 😳

Not just no.... but hell NO! There’s no contract but a $120 travel fee? Absolutely not.

I recalled my musician didn't have a contract, but I'm an in writing type person when it comes to spending money. So he asked me to draw one up and I googled and found one and made it specific to what we discussed and he was mailed his deposit after he signed said contract. Let me tell it was the best decision I made when the week of and while making plans for the wedding rehearsal, I hadn't heard back from the musician after texting, and phone calls he finally answered. He honestly didn't think he needed to be at the wh. So I asked him to pull out the contract we both signed and pointed it out. He said oh? I offered to him if he didn't feel the need to make the wh and based on the language in the contract we both signed, that we could meet to return my deposit due to his breach. I'm no lawyer but I had the right language in the contract that protected us both ( thx Google). Anyways he made the wh and of course the wedding and reception as written in the contract. I'm so glad I proactively put a contract together. Said all that to say this. Be ready to walk away if anyone seems shady about taking your money just on their word. Do a contract? I later found out this musician often performed work without contracts...until he ran into me and my $$. Afterwards he asked to employ me to put his contracts together, sadly I declined because in the end his process left a bad taste in my mouth. #contracts.matter

No contract, no vendor. Word of mouth is a dangerous game and yes her travel fee is ridiculous for a venue so close to her. I would be looking elsewhere, sorry this turned out this way for you BUT you might have dodged a potentially big wedding day issue here!

Just for the record, I believe the minimum/average travel rate is .50 some cents per mile.

I just had a MUA quote me $65 for travel and she’s an hour away from me. That makes sense because it would end up being around 100+ miles for her round trip.

View Quoted Comment It's a good idea to create one but sorry you ran into that. good thing you had a contract that would've been awful

View Quoted Comment Yea that's a crazy travel fee. i was like WHAT

View Quoted Comment Very true! thanks

View Quoted Comment Hahaha too funny

View Quoted Comment Thank you very much! that is a good idea

Thanks everyone for your help with this!

I booked a MUA last year who had no contract. Thankfully, I did not need to place a deposit on anything. I contacted her recently to schedule a trial however, she never replied to my messages. I'm honestly so thankful she didn't because I've decided to do it myself and it'll save me a lot of money. So, yes, a contract is needed!