The Wedding Vendor Questions Nobody Tells You to Ask

'What is your cancellation and refund policy?' Full refund up to X weeks out is standard; forfeited deposits are standard closer in.

'What happens if you cannot make it on the day?' A serious vendor has a named backup and a written substitution clause.

'Is insurance included?' Most venues now require vendors to carry $1M in liability insurance and to name the venue as additional insured.

'When is the final payment due, and what are the accepted methods?' Wire, check, and credit card fees can differ by thousands of dollars.

'How many edited images will we receive, and when?' 400-800 for an 8-hour wedding, delivered in 4-8 weeks, is standard.

'Do you retain the raw files?' Almost all photographers say yes; ask how long, and whether raw delivery is available for an additional fee.

'Who owns the images?' Copyright stays with the photographer by default; the print release you get is for personal use only. Confirm you can post to social media.

'What is the price per person at final head count, and what does that include?' Rentals, service staff, cake cutting, and corkage are often extras.

'What is the vendor meal price, and how many vendors are covered?' Photographer, videographer, planner, and band all need meals.

'How is the food priced if a guest with a dietary restriction needs a substitution?'

'Do you MC, or do we need a separate one?' Most DJs MC; most bands do not.

'What is your do-not-play list policy?' A good DJ will accept a list of songs you never want to hear.

'What happens if a piece of equipment fails?' Backup speakers, mic, and mixer on-site are the standard answer.