There are several steps that you can take to help protect yourself from consumer fraud. When contracting with vendors and businesses for your wedding, request everything in writing and keep in touch with your vendors in order to avoid problems on your wedding day. Also, be sure to keep your sales receipts for all payments and deposits that are made on any articles or services. Reception sites can cause a problem if they overbook or book several receptions too close together. Therefore, make sure the room name and location of the room is noted on the contract. It's also recommended that you write down exactly what the menu should contain and confirm the guest count with the caterer. Avoid hidden costs by reading the fine print on all contracts. In addition, pay extra attention to the cancellation and deposit policies. When booking a band for the reception, deal with either the band leader or a music agent. When dealing with florists, make sure you write down the exact types of flowers that are to be used in the ceremony, bouquets, and boutonnieres (BOO-TIN-NEARS). For your photographs and video, make sure you write down the name of the person who will be taking the pictures and shooting your video. Meet with your photographer before the wedding and give him or her a list of exactly what pictures you want taken. It's also recommended to state in the contract that if the pictures do not come out, you owe nothing. Be aware of everything you sign to avoid future problems. If you do encounter any problems with a vendor, report them to the Better Business Bureau in your local community. For more information regarding tips for avoiding consumer fraud, contact a wedding professional.
