http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2009/07/27/contract-signing-tips/ The wedding blog that is all about the details... Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:49:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2009/07/27/contract-signing-tips/#comment-59645 Veronica Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:36:23 +0000 http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/?p=14969#comment-59645 Also be sure to see if the venue/caterer wants to charge you an additional percent of the bill if you pay via credit card. In about a dozen States (including New York and California) this is illegal. Also, the agreement vendors make with Mastercard and Visa stipulates that the vendor is not allowed to discriminate and charge more for the use of credit card (regardless of what State you live in). While American Express does not have this stipulation, if the vendor accepts MC and Visa, then Amex cannot be discriminated against too. I have had a few vendors (not just the venue) try to charge me anywhere from 3-5% just in this “fee” – and not only is it against the agreement they have with my credit card, it’s illegal in the State I live in! Also be sure to see if the venue/caterer wants to charge you an additional percent of the bill if you pay via credit card. In about a dozen States (including New York and California) this is illegal. Also, the agreement vendors make with Mastercard and Visa stipulates that the vendor is not allowed to discriminate and charge more for the use of credit card (regardless of what State you live in). While American Express does not have this stipulation, if the vendor accepts MC and Visa, then Amex cannot be discriminated against too. I have had a few vendors (not just the venue) try to charge me anywhere from 3-5% just in this “fee” – and not only is it against the agreement they have with my credit card, it’s illegal in the State I live in!

]]> http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2009/07/27/contract-signing-tips/#comment-38679 Wedding Blog Awards of the Week | Stylish Events Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:31:49 +0000 http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/?p=14969#comment-38679 [...] The Most Useful Post/Article of the Week: Elizabeth Anne Designs – Contract Signing Tips [...] [...] The Most Useful Post/Article of the Week: Elizabeth Anne Designs – Contract Signing Tips [...]

]]> http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2009/07/27/contract-signing-tips/#comment-37737 Liz Fosdick Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:44:32 +0000 http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/?p=14969#comment-37737 My best tip is to always check the service charges in advance. 15% or more adds a huge amount to your final bill and is often an unexpected charge. Find out before you sign the contract so that you can build the service charge into your budget and adjust menu choices accordingly. My best tip is to always check the service charges in advance. 15% or more adds a huge amount to your final bill and is often an unexpected charge. Find out before you sign the contract so that you can build the service charge into your budget and adjust menu choices accordingly.

]]> http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2009/07/27/contract-signing-tips/#comment-37695 Becky Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:12:30 +0000 http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/?p=14969#comment-37695 A lesson I learned is "don't assume you understand contract language." If you have even the slightest question, ask! When our contract made mention of locked in on prices I made the assumption that when we signed it, we'd be locked in. Fast forward a year later when we are finally setting up our meeting with the venue and I find out that the prices aren't locked in until we choose our menu. The prices changed about 6 months after we signed and of course they don't have to notify you. Being so late in the game at this point there was no way to get extra money and very few places left in our budget where we could cut, so in order to afford the meal we had to cut back on our bar. A lesson I learned is “don’t assume you understand contract language.” If you have even the slightest question, ask! When our contract made mention of locked in on prices I made the assumption that when we signed it, we’d be locked in. Fast forward a year later when we are finally setting up our meeting with the venue and I find out that the prices aren’t locked in until we choose our menu. The prices changed about 6 months after we signed and of course they don’t have to notify you. Being so late in the game at this point there was no way to get extra money and very few places left in our budget where we could cut, so in order to afford the meal we had to cut back on our bar.

]]>