How to know if you are reserving too far in advance ????

My wedding is not until Sept. 2003. But I am a very organized perdon and detail oriented. My concern is with leaving deposits too early... What if the vendor goes out of business? But then if I dont resserve iot early.. what If I loose them ?? Any suggestions ???

Get it in writting

I would suggest that you make sure to get it in writting that if anything were to happen where they could not fulfill their end of the agreement that you will get all your money back.

How to know if you are reserving too far in advance ????

I am getting married in July 2003 and intially had the same concern. I booked my hall already and am workng on booking a photographer right now. I feel like the safest bet is to go with someone who has been around for several years. Becuase the problem wont be money if a company goes out of business. You can get your deposit back. The stressful part would be finding a replacement!! I am sticking with tried and true, been around for a long time vendors. You really have to book early. I would hate to be disappointed if I couldn`t get a vendor that I really wanted. Becky

Where is your reception? *NM*

How to know if you are reserving too far in advance ????

Also try to make deposits on credit card if possible. If something happens to the vendor you've got the credit card company to help get your money back.

look for years in service...

Most likely the places that have been around for years, are not going anywhere. I thought of that with my dress cuz I've heard so many horror stories. I agree with paying deposits with credit cards also...they can always fight for you if something goes wrong. Don't EVER pay cash for anything!!!!!!

Paying in cash??

I heard this before I started booking my vendors, but so far, the DJ (Jam Entertainment), Reception and Ceremony site (Watermill) and photographer (M. Kauffman) only accepted a check or cash. Watermill has been in business for a long time, so I'm not worried about them or the other vendors, however, they said that if I use a credit card, they have to charge me more for service charges that the cc company would charge them. Has anyone else experienced this?

Paying in cash?? WHAT????

Nina- Maybe I haven`t been around long enough ( I doubt that!) but I have NEVER heard of places charging a `service charge` because you`re using a credit card. But anyway, your vendors are all reputable companies, so I wouldn`t worry. I paid for everything with a check or credit card, except my DJ cuz we kind of, in a round about way, know him. I actually didn`t have a problem with anyone. Because of the horror stories I`ve heard over the years about brides, I knew going in that if some wanted me to pay cash, I`d walk out the door. But no one gave me a hard time...everything seemed legit (sp??). It`s always better to have proof of the transaction, and for some reason, having a cash bill of sale doesn`t have as much weight as a cancelled check or credit card statement. And with the credit card company, they will back you up if there`s ever a problem. So, just be careful. Oh, one more thing..a lot of places also seem to want their last payment made before they actually deliver their service...have you noticed?? I don`t agree with that, but that seems like the norm, so what can we do?? I don`t know why we should have to pay for something we haven`t seen yet...what if it isn`t up to par?? We have to accept it anyway cuz it`s already paid for. I don`t think that`s a good business practice.

Paying in cash??

I paid M Kauffman's deposit using my credit card. So far, he is the only vendor who takes credit cards that I have. He did not charge me extra but any vendor who accepts credit cards must pay a percentage of the sale to the credit card company so I can see why many vendors do not accept them. Not sure but I believe that it is a violation of NYS law to charge extra for a credit card sale.

Paying in cash?? WHAT????

Yes, I guess that they want the money up front to make sure that they are covered before the day of the wedding. I think my hall wants the 2nd 1/2 of the deposit one week before.

Paying in cash?? WHAT????

I've had the same expereince. Everyone wants cash. Some places save me the tax if I pay in cash or check, others just don't charge a service fee. I wish I could've put my hall on the credit card - all those frequent flyer miles!