Why are you paying cash?

I think a lot of the ladies on here making these mistakes are not experienced in working with contracts and businesses. They are very trusting, especially of friends and family (who I think you should be the -least- trusting of in these circumstances, lol).

Not just paying in cash or getting receipts, but many don't get written contracts. In addition they are promised certain things from a vendor, only to not document these offerings in a contract and have the vendor not go through with them.

I wrote checks for everything that way I always had my bank account with proof!!!!

Right! I totally forgot that some of us aren't getting written contracts! I am stunned by this... We are spending tons of $ here, and not covering our own butts, AMAZING!

Many vendors won't accept checks. They want cash. And they write on the contract how much was recieved. But if they don't get a contract, or proof of payment- that can be a huge problem.

Nothing personal to some of the brides here- but a few of you are being ridiculously stupid by not getting something to show what you paid, and what you are getting for it.

If you learn nothing else from this site- learn to get everything in writing!

@maghan AMEN

Wow, I have not ran into vendors only wanting cash... Is that a red flag? A money order is just as good as cash but creates a paper trail for our records. I guess I wouldn't trust anyone telling me cash only, seems skeevy!

I would never pay a vendor cash, that seems sketchy to me that they would require cash only!

Well, not all of them require cash- but they want real funds, not a check. I'm sure a money order would work just fine- but those take time and incur an additional expense.

I have no issue paying cash- but I'm getting a reciept!

I had never met any vendors that want cash. Only paypal since I am planning the wedding long distance and debit card.

I wouldn't pay cash unless I have had reviewed the vendor and made sure it was legit, got a contract stating a deposit was made, for how much and how much left to pay, a receipt of some kind.. and everything signed, photographed.. seriously, you risk too much by just paying cash.

I think Meghan meant a personal check which some vendors do not accept. I wouldn't pay a vendor in cash without getting SOMETHING that says I gave them that money. Money order is always better and a credit card is best because worst come to worse you can take it up with the card company.

I totally agree. I read some of these and I'm like, why didn't you get something in writing? I don't care if my MOMMA is doing something for me, she will be signing a contract and issuing a receipt of payment lol.

Yady- hopefully that are checking out any and all vendors prior to entering into any sort of agreement.

Nothing personal to the vendors out there- but these people are usually business owners. In addition to taking stunning pictures, providing serives, arranging flowers, etc- they are salepeople. You book them because you like THEM, not just their work. They sell you a service. And like many companies- once you enter into a contract, the customer service part disappears.

That's what seperates the great vendors from everyone else- being able to deal with customers appropriately and run a business professionally.

This is true.. they can always provide a Receipt if you pay cash.. ALOT of ppl require cash or a non personal check for final payments no credit cards... I have paid dep in cash but always asked for proof of payment

Cash is a bad idea. Credit cards give record of the transaction as well as points for rewards! I've paid everything on a credit card and my rewards program gives me 100 dollars back after every 7000. So with an event that's costing $25,000 and then honeymoon, I'm making 500 back. That doesn't seem like a lot in comparison with the rest of the bill, but it's 500 I'd miss out on if I was paying in cash.

www.weddingsthenewway.com

Yup....when I pay cash I always get a receipt...always. And that's rarely something I have to worry about cus I usually use my card or a check.

Oh one more thing...not sure if someone said this already but with a cc...at least if you get screwed, you can have your cc co. help you with a credit.

We paid with checks for everything and vendors requested we pay with checks and gave us a receipt everytime. if one insisted we pay with cash, we wouldnt have used them.

Haven't read the replies but we paid our photographer in cash- it was a 3 installment plan, always got receipts and have a contract. The reason for the cash instead of other forms of payment, is that it is 10% off the cost if you pay in cash (basically so they don't have the fees associated with CC payments). Since we were able to afford paying in cash, we did so, but I would never make payments if a receipt was not available and a contract. We did pay all the other vendors with either a check or cc.

I have received cash and immediately given a receipt.

I never pay cash, except some vendors require cash on the day of, because they've had problems with checks bouncing, and they don't take credit cards.

Always get a receipt, ALWAYS sign a contract [and READ IT!!!]

Always keep a paper trail of some sort! You never know what could go wrong!

I actually know some people who sign their contracts but never read them! You have no idea what is put in there, or what policies the company has, and you can end up getting screwed over for something you didn't know they didn't allow!