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I am a wedding invitation designer and I require a 50% non-refundable deposit. This allows me to bring the product in and fully cover the cost of what I spent should the client decide to back out. I would look into what you would be out of pocket if the client backed out, make your depsosit required cover your expenses and a little for your trouble.
Hi Danielle,
My standard payment structure is 50% retainer, 50% due the month before the wedding. I've broken it down differently based on need, but I never go to more than 5 payments, and the initial payment (in that case) is never less than $500.
The reason I do it that way is because if they cancel, say halfway through, and I've already set up their checklists, their budget, started calling around, doing the design, ect, I've been paid for my time.
If you only charge $100 and don't get the rest until the wedding rolls around, you may be doing work, basically for free. Your time is money- and structuring your payments to reflect that can be helpful in getting clients to understand your value.
Greetings Everyone,
New to the forum but wanted to respond to this.
My policy is that I require a signed agreement and a 25% deposit to book the date. I also have cancellation clauses for 30+ days from the wedding and under 30 days from the wedding.
These all good suggestions! I guess the take-away is, it depends on the cost of your service/products, and the ability to rebook, if the couple cancels.
I hope that brides read this, so they know what to expect and so there are nor suprises should the unexpected happen. Like when we got married, or facility, a restaurant, filed chapter 11 a month before our wedding. The restaurant took our deposit and ran, we were out $300 and had to scramble to find a new location.
As a makeup artist, I require a signed service agreement which states the time frame they will have me based on the services they are booking and a 50% deposit that is non-transferable (to another date) or refundable (if they take off some services or cancel). Since we only get 52 weekends a year to book business, asking for 50% not only protects you (and the income your expecting) but also your client with what they are paying for. Changing their mind last minute isn't unheard of, so if they said they needed you for A-Z services but in the end only use you for ABC, you are out that money. Had they already paid for 1/2 of it, they would think twice. I believe 50% deposit is safe for business.
I require 50% to "secure" the date, customer agreement with the balance of the fee due 2 weeks before the rehearsal. Notice I didn't say "reserve" the date. No oral agreements for me. Everything is spelled out in writing. I believe it would be to easy for someone to walk away from a $100 deposit. In your case, $400, I doubt it. I have a strong belief in perceived value. I charge what I think I am worth. If they cannot afford me, they should hire someone else. I am an officiant in the greater Phoenix area and am certainly not at the low end of the fee schedule, yet I am able to obtain a 50% down payment (deposit) which is non-refundable. In some rare cases I may take 25% down with a credit card to be charged for the next 25% in 2 weeks. I rarely have anyone walk away from a 50% down payment. Cancellations must be in writing no less than 45 days prior to the wedding date which may give me an opportunity to re-book the date.
I under-promise and over-deliver! I get rave reviews for the extras that I give that are above and beyond what the bride and groom expect.
Celebrate Love!
Larry James
Scottsdale, AZ
Award Winning Wedding Officiant, Professional Speaker, Author & Relationship Coach
I have worked as a Marriage Officiant on both coasts. When I started performed weddings - I obtained a Master of Divinity because I felt that it provided credibility and I did not realize that there would be so many modern brides who do not want ANY religious or spiritual aspect to their celebration.
After I relocated to the Sonoma County area of California, I found that the marriage officiant here charge A LOT more than what I was previously charging. I always had a written contract that spelled everything out. I am wondering if I might be able to have you contact me via email as I have a couple of questions that I do not think require posting in a public forum.
I would greatly appreciate your time and kind consideration. I may be reached at reverendk@comcast.net.
Sincerely,
Reverend D.A. Keegan
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