The roles of food, cake, flower, and other vendors for wedding ceremony, reception, and related events are important and often significant costs of getting married. Hiring these professionals can cost thousands of dollars and may need to be reserved a year or more in advance. With months of planning and a one-time opportunity for your wedding day, you want to ensure you will receive the products and services you expect.

To reserve the products and services of these wedding vendors, you will often be presented with a contract—a legally enforceable agreement that includes important details of what products and services you will receive and the price you will pay.

It is important to carefully read and understand these agreements before signing them to minimize the chances of being disappointed on your wedding day. Make sure the agreements detail the terms of the products and services you expect, avoiding general references to products and services.

Some of the important clauses that typically appear in wedding vendor contracts include:

• Deposit or Nonrefundable Deposit. The deposit or nonrefundable deposit provision of the agreement provides the amount of money you (as the bride and groom or couple) must pay or put down to reserve the product or service for your chosen date. This deposit may be as much as 50 percent of the total cost and may be nonrefundable from the time you pay it or may become nonrefundable within some amount of time (weeks or months) following the payment, or within a specified number of days or months before the wedding. A nonrefundable deposit may also be referred to as liquidated damages that the wedding vendor is allowed to keep if you back out of or cancel the wedding or the vendor’s services.

• Payment Method. Specify the methods of payment the vendor will accept, as not all vendors accept payment by credit card.

• Deliverables and Timeline. Specify the deliverables (cake, flowers, printed napkins and cups, etc.) in as much detail as reasonably possible.

There may be additional important issues included in an agreement proposed by a wedding vendor. Consider all issues carefully and request any additional issues that may be important to you be included in the agreement. If there is any part of the agreement you do not understand—or if you believe your investment in the product or services justifies it—consider having a lawyer review the agreement.

And one of the best ways to ensure you have a positive experience with your wedding vendors is to carefully research them, including online reviews and recommendations from friends and family who have used a vendor’s services.

In Alaska, as in other states, the roles of food, cake, flower, and other vendors for wedding ceremonies and related events are crucial and can be a significant expense. Contracts with these vendors are legally binding and detail the products, services, and prices agreed upon. Key contract clauses often include a deposit or nonrefundable deposit, which secures the vendor's services for the event and may be partially or fully nonrefundable under certain conditions. Payment methods should be clearly stated, as not all vendors may accept credit cards. Deliverables and timelines should be specified in detail to ensure expectations are met. It's important for couples to read and understand all contract terms, and if necessary, have an attorney review the contract, especially if the investment is substantial. Additionally, thorough research and vetting of vendors through reviews and personal recommendations are advised to ensure a satisfactory experience.