How Strong Contracts Can Make or Break Your Wedding Business

Jun 23

By Veronica M. Foster, MWP, VTA

In the wedding industry, emotions often run high, and not just for the couples getting married. Wedding professionals juggle logistics, expectations, family dynamics, and unpredictable variables like weather and vendor reliability. One tool can protect your business, your sanity, and your reputation through it all: a strong, clear, and well-enforced contract.

Let’s talk about why it matters—and what can happen when it doesn’t.

The Safety Net You Can’t Afford to Skip

A wedding planning contract isn’t just a formality—it’s a blueprint for success. It sets expectations, outlines deliverables, limits liability, and helps ensure everyone is on the same page. It gives both planner and client clarity, security, and structure. And when things go wrong (because in events, something always does), it gives you legal standing to protect yourself and your business.

Real Story: A $10,000 Mistake (That Could’ve Been Avoided)

Take the example of ABC member “Kristen,” a seasoned wedding planner in the Southeast who learned this lesson the hard way. She agreed to plan a large-scale wedding for a high-profile couple who assured her verbally that they’d pay in full before the event. Because she had worked with one of their relatives before, Kristen decided to skip the contract "just this once."

The wedding was a logistical nightmare—family feuds, last-minute vendor changes, and multiple extra hours on-site. After the wedding, the couple ghosted her. No final payment. No returned calls. And since there was no signed agreement, Kristen had no legal recourse.

She lost over $10,000 in unpaid services and out-of-pocket expenses.

“I thought I was being accommodating,” Kristen shared. “Instead, I jeopardized my business.” I am sure that there are lots of other examples that you can think of.

What Every Wedding Planner Should Include in a Contract

To protect yourself and your couples—make sure your contract includes:

Scope of Services: What exactly are you responsible for?
Payment Schedule: How and when will payments be made?
Cancellation/Postponement Policy: What happens if the event is rescheduled or canceled?
Liability Clause: Who’s responsible for damages or delays outside your control?
Force Majeure: What if a natural disaster or pandemic hits?
Dispute Resolution: How will disagreements be handled?

Contracts Build Confidence

When you use professional contracts, you’re not just protecting yourself—you’re also reassuring your clients that you're a legitimate, trustworthy, and organized professional. They want to know that you have systems in place and that you're prepared for every scenario. A strong contract builds that trust before you even begin planning.

Your business is only as strong as the boundaries you set. And the best way to set them is with a solid contract. You can start with a template, but visit an attorney for a review at least. You can also contact a local law school and see if a student or teacher will review for you at a lesser cost.