What a Bad Contract Clause Actually Looks Like (Real Examples)
Most couples read a wedding contract the way they'd read terms and conditions on an app — a quick scroll, a signature, done. I understand why. Contracts are dry, you're excited, and the vendor is being lovely on the phone.
But contracts are where the vendor relationship actually gets tested, months later, when something doesn't go to plan. Here's what to look for, based on the clauses that have caused the most trouble in weddings I've coordinated.
"Force majeure" clauses that only protect the vendor. Some contracts state that the vendor keeps your full payment if they cancel due to circumstances beyond their control — but you get nothing back if the same happens to you. Read this clause both directions.
No specific cancellation timeline. "Cancellations must be made in advance" tells you nothing. You want an actual number of days, and what you get back at each stage.
Vague substitution language. "A comparable replacement will be provided" for a headline vendor — a specific photographer, a named celebrant — is a clause that lets them swap out the person you actually booked. Ask what "comparable" means, in writing.
Overtime fees with no stated rate. "Additional time will be billed accordingly" is not a number. Get the actual per-hour rate before you sign, not on the night when your reception runs long.
No mention of what happens to your deposit if the vendor cancels. This should be explicit. If it's missing, ask for it to be added before you sign.
Payment schedules with no grace period. Life happens. A contract with zero flexibility on payment timing, and steep penalties for even a short delay, tells you something about how that vendor will treat you if anything else goes wrong.
Fay's Tip: Before signing anything, read the contract once for what it promises you, and once specifically for what happens if things go wrong. Most people only do the first read.
None of this is about assuming bad faith. It's about making sure the good faith conversation you had on the phone is actually reflected in the document you're both bound to.
I go through real contract language, clause by clause, inside the Wedding Cheat Sheet — including exactly what to push back on before you sign.