So we have been engaged for over a year but are now seriously trying to plan (and save) for our wedding. I've calcuated a budget based on estimated costs and it was easy enough to come up with an overall number but timing is another thing im worried about. I wanted to book 2 years in advance thinking that the first year i could pay off the hall and the second, focus on vendors but after I book my hall I would want to secure vendors ASAP so im second guessing my plan now. How much of a deposit do you typically need for the photographer and DJ, etc? I'm definitely eager to book but I also want to be smart about it. Any advice is greatly appreciated!!
KandE2013
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Budget/Deposits Help
I wouldn't pay anyone off until right before (or after, as in the case of photo/video) the wedding...you never know what could happen in 2 years....I just read about a venue that closed abruptly and left people high and dry...I would not want to lose a big chunk of money in a case like that, let alone ALL my money! I'm planning my wedding in 11 months, and it's do-able. Most vendors are flexible about payments...for example, limo is a deposit and then the rest is due right before the wedding, flowers are a deposit and then a flexible schedule, dj is a deposit and then the balance right before the wedding, photo/video is a deposit, a couple payments, and then a small payment after the wedding....venues seem to be more rigid with how they want their payments spread out, but again, they usually ask for the bulk of the money right before the wedding, and you are better off....
dawnbon26
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Budget/Deposits Help
I booked most of my vendors almost 2 years out and paid everything that was required, nothing more till right before. The best piece of advice I can give is buy wedding insurance. It is priced on the total cost of your wedding. I bought the full package and it was right around $500. It will give you the piece of mind when booking if venue goes out of business.
Kristin31613
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Re: Budget/Deposits Help
Posted by KandE2013
I wouldn't pay anyone off until right before (or after, as in the case of photo/video) the wedding...you never know what could happen in 2 years....I just read about a venue that closed abruptly and left people high and dry...I would not want to lose a big chunk of money in a case like that, let alone ALL my money! I'm planning my wedding in 11 months, and it's do-able. Most vendors are flexible about payments...for example, limo is a deposit and then the rest is due right before the wedding, flowers are a deposit and then a flexible schedule, dj is a deposit and then the balance right before the wedding, photo/video is a deposit, a couple payments, and then a small payment after the wedding....venues seem to be more rigid with how they want their payments spread out, but again, they usually ask for the bulk of the money right before the wedding, and you are better off....
This! Do not pay off that early. No matter how popular your venue is, you never know and then you'll never see that money again!
xoxlilqtexox1
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Budget/Deposits Help
Thanks for the advice ladies! Much appreciated :)
RoandJoe
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Budget/Deposits Help
Most of our deposits so far have been around 20%ish. Most vendors will not take a full payment until a few months before the wedding date. We've just been putting the full payments aside in the bank.
xoxlilqtexox1
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Budget/Deposits Help
I think that is probably my best bet to hold it until payments are due but I will definitely be looking into the wedding insurance either way. Thanks again!
lauren1802
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Budget/Deposits Help
some deposits are half for photo & video. our hall was only $500 to hold date, then a thousand to 1500 here & there. we booked 2 years out so we paid maybe $5k then the big amounts are due 1 month before & then 1 week before (ish).
brnnglgn
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Budget/Deposits Help
with the fox hollow we were allowed to put down 1000 dollar deposit. Then there was a payment plan laid out over the next year and a half or so of payments of 1500 and the last payment was 2000 and then the monday before the wedding we pay the rest off
bridejackson22
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Budget/Deposits Help
Our venue was a 500 deposit with our first payment of 1000 the month after. Our photo/video was a 3rd of the total cost for our deposit we haven't had our second payment yet that Is coming up this fall and the best is we do not pay the final payment until we pick up the pictures from him after our wedding. DJ same way 500 deposit we pay one other payment and then pay day of. Florist same thing. Our DOC is we have 1 more payment with them and we don't pay again till the right before the wedding. Just make sure once you book your venue you put x amount away each week to cover the amount you are wanting to save to pay for the wedding plus vendor payments when booking.
