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How much do you ask for up front?

As a wedding planner approaching my one-year mark, I have experimented with different payment options for my clients which typically range around $800. I originally began by asking for 50% down as a non-refundable save-the-date fee for day-of coordination services. However, I've been leaning more towards changing to $100 to reserve the date and then the remainder is due before the wedding date.

Has anyone else tried this? And what do you require as a deposit and why?

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Permalink Reply by Kathi R. Evans on August 23, 2011 at 5:12am

I spread the payments for my fee over the life of the contract billing on the 15th of each month. There's an initial payment required with signed contracts and then the rest is divided up over the remaining months. The last payment is always billed after the event is concluded to make sure that I haven't forgotten to bill them for anything! This has really helped me with cash flow during the down times of the year.

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Permalink Reply by Edson Dias on August 23, 2011 at 5:18am

I'm a wedding photographer and my average packages are around $4000. I charge $500 to hold the date. I believe this to be the lowest amount possible that I can offer, that still makes it a firm commitment from the client. It's also low enough so that it's easy for the client to ultimately make the decision to book. I then ask for 1/2 the balance sue 6 months prior to the wedding, and the other 1/2, 2 weeks before the wedding. This was a MAJOR change in spreading out my income throughout the year. Otherwise, you'll get all of your income right around the wedding season and have nothing during the winter months.

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Permalink Reply by Prestige Valet Parking on August 23, 2011 at 6:16am

This is a great topic. We always request a 50% non-refundable deposit to book the event with us. The balance would be due on the day of the event. Our valet parking business on Cape Cod and the Islands is very competitive, since there are only a few professional services in the marketplace. Since we book, typically, in August, as many as 4-5 events in one day, we require that deposit so that we can be certain all of our other events are staffed sufficiently.

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Permalink Reply by Jade DaRu on August 23, 2011 at 6:25am

I request 50% down and I tell them that if cancelled 30 days or more before their date, they will be refunded all but $100. I find that sometimes this will tell you if they are serious about hiring you or not. I also require a signed contract regarding everything.

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Permalink Reply by Shannon Goode - GoodeHair on August 23, 2011 at 7:03am

I have noticed that the higher the deposit the more brides shy away. I have just brought 3 other team mates onto my business. For their weddings I require a 30% deposit then the stylist collects the rest on the day of. What is your opinion of this?

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Permalink Reply by Theresa Rivers Photography on August 23, 2011 at 7:22am

I'm a wedding photographer and I ask for 30% which is non-refundable. I have found through trail and error that if they can't afford the 30%, they can't afford the balance and will try to get me to lower my price. So this is my way of weeding out the problem clients.

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Permalink Reply by Jade DaRu on August 23, 2011 at 7:48am

You are so right. If they can't afford the deposit...I never thought of it that way, but that seems right on the money (no pun intended).

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Permalink Reply by Edson Dias on August 23, 2011 at 7:53am

I think we need to remember that clients are regular people like ourselves. I wouldn't want to pay 30% to hold a date with a vendor... does that make me not serious as a consumer? I often find that vendors (when out of the public view) act one way as consumers then completely differently as vendors.

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Permalink Reply by Jade DaRu on August 23, 2011 at 8:59am

But.....I have been literally screwed when I have not taken a deposit. And then when they cancel, there is not always enough time to book something on that date. So yes, if a client is not willing to put down a deposit as they would with a photographer, the caterer, the hall, the florist, the tuxes and the dress, then it is hard to take them seriously as I have found, they can act a little flighty.

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Permalink Reply by Elene Shemwell on August 23, 2011 at 8:36am

I require a signed contract and 1/3 down and it's NON REFUNDABLE and send the bill for 1/3 depending on when the wedding is.. half way through and the balance due two weeks prior to the event.

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Permalink Reply by Bluebells on August 23, 2011 at 9:32am

I'm a florist and we do 25% non-refundable deposit when our brides sign the contract with us (that way they are written in pen on our calendar, and as we can only take a handful of weddings in any one day, once we get booked we are forced to turn brides away - making the deposit very necessary).

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Permalink Reply by Larisa Gurnick on August 23, 2011 at 9:43am

We require 50% retainer and a signed contract. Balance is due 2-3 weeks prior to the event. There is a common misconception among the public that as a "day-of" coordinator, all the work happens on the day of the wedding. That is simply not true, as I am sure you know. You really start investing your energy and applying your expertise on behalf of your client as soon as you meet for the first time (and that's even before they hire you!) That is why I don't believe that $100 deposit or retainer is adequate.

I wonder what prompted your question. Are you clients questioning the 50%? You should politely explain to them everything that you do on their behalf, long before the day of the wedding.