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The Ring
Can't stop looking at that ring on your finger?
Congratulations on your engagement! Can't stop looking at that ring on your finger can you? You might start wondering. Should you insure it? What happens if you break up, do you get to keep it? What happens if it is an heirloom ring?
Should you insure it?
The ring should be insured immediately after it is purchased. Either get an addendum to your homeowner’s or renters’ policy or buy separate insurance from an independent jewelry insurer. The cost tends to be small, 1 to 2% of the value of the ring each year. Make sure you understand how to make a claim, whether you get a cash payment or a replacement ring and other provisions of the policy.Don’t forget the wedding bands! They too need to be insured.
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Suppose a ring is lost or stolen before you were able to get insurance?
Check your homeowner’s or renters’ policy. Although it usually isn’t much, they often have a general amount of jewelry that can be claimed without including any special rider. How was the ring purchased? Certain credit cards provide buyer’s protection, and you may be able to get a refund or replacement
If we break up, do I get to keep the ring?
Each state is different. Some consider the ring to be a "conditional gift", the condition being getting married. No matter who breaks it off, if the marriage doesn’t take place, the ring needs to be returned. Other states take the opposite view, it’s a gift and there’s no need to return it, no matter what!
Are heirloom rings different?
Regardless of a states's laws regarding returning an engagement ring in the event of a break up before the wedding, often things are a little different if it is an heirloom ring. You might want to include a provision in a prenuptial agreement about what will happen in case of a breakup or divorce.
Engagement Party
You're engaged! Now it's time to party!
Engagement parties can be big or small, some even are similar to mini weddings! There are no longer rules for who pays for the party and there may be several parties! Legally, considerations for engagement parties may be the same as for weddings! Often these contracts are more open ended. Sometimes you may not even get anything in writing, which can lead to undue surprises.
1. Booking a restaurant.
If you just book a large table at a restaurant, you may not even get a contract. They may or might not tell you that there is a built-in surcharge for parties over 6 people. Suppose you get hit with a sur charge that you did not know about, do you have to pay it? Generally, that service fee must be set forth in writing before you order the food, either on the menu or on some contract you sign. Did you know that depending on the state, the service charge may not be a tip and may not go to the employees?
2. Booking a room at a hotel.
A initial contract at a hotel may very open ended with little detail other than you guaranteeing a minimum payment. Big corporate chain contracts might not be negotiable, so be careful to read them!
3. Booking a venue similar to a wedding venue.
Carefully look at whatever agreement you sign because your simple little party may not end up being simple at all! You might be surprised to find out all sorts of requirements such as the requirement to have insurance and security, to use food vendors only that are on a list of approved ones , to pay extra charges for setup, janitorial and a whole list of things!
Wedding Planner
Things to look for in the wedding planner contract.
1. Location and Date Details.
Realize the contract may have separate charges for travel to the venue on the wedding date itself or may have a provision that if the location or date changes, there might be additional costs.
2. The Planner’s Duties.
It is important that the contract clearly spell out what the planner’s duties are. Details should be spelled out as much as necessary to make you feel comfortable. Are calls unlimited? Suppose it takes numerous visits before you choose a venue, including repeated visits to a certain venue? What happens if a vendor backs out? What happens if your guest list grows or shrinks, or the budget is revised? Suppose you change your mind regarding the entire theme midway through?
3. The Terms of Payment.
This includes whether it is a percentage, flat fee, or hourly rate. It also includes charges for any extras and how they will be charged, such as travel costs for any meetings or consultations, (sometimes only if they are more than a certain number of miles away or in a different state or under some other condition). It also includes when payments are to be made. This includes the deposit and if it refundable.
4. The Planner’s Cancellation Policy.
Contracts usually provide that the client can cancel at any time, but will provide how much you are required to pay the panner to do so. Similarly, contracts often provide that the planner can cancel at any time but will have provisions regarding what happens if they do. Are they responsible for getting you a replacement and will there be a refund including of the “nonrefundable deposit”?
5. What Happens if There is a Dispute.
Contracts usually have clauses providing what happens if there is a dispute you cannot resolve. Standard clauses are usually included such as: mediation or arbitration only clauses, payment of attorney’s fees in the event of a dispute, and which state’s law will control the agreement if there is a dispute.
Learn More
Some brides would never consider hiring a wedding planner, they are hands on and see the planning as half the fun of the wedding! Others would never consider putting on a wedding without one. If you hire one, what should you look for in their contract?
Wedding Registries
Before you sign up for that wedding registry...
There are online registries for everything from honeymoon funds to specific stores to all-in-one registries. Before you sign up make sure you fully understand all of their policies!
Make sure you fully understand what the charges are to both your guests and you.
Read what our clients have to say about their experience working with our firm. We are committed to providing exceptional legal services and achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients.
Consider your privacy and the possible repercussions of making things public.
Think twice before you put information on the web. It can be there potentially forever! Although most people today have given up on any thoughts of privacy and most of us buy into it by posting our private lives online, really consider what you want to be public and what might be better left out or unsaid.
Check out the benefits that your registries are giving.
Benefits can be free gifts, free shipment, deals with other stores or services, a newlywed discount or even concierge service. Just review theses terms carefully as often there are limitations.
The Wedding Dress
Bridal Salons may be heavenly, but make sure you understand their contract terms.
Common bridal salon terms include the following:
1. All sales are final.
Most bridal salons provide all sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.
2. Alterations.
Rarely are alterations included in the “Total Price” noted on an agreement, and alterations on a bridal gown can be hefty - $850.00 is not unusual!
3. Initial Deposits and when full payment is due.
50% of the price of the gown, without alterations tends to be the typical deposit, although gowns purchased off the floor are often required to be paid in full. “Balance must be paid in full within 30 days of gown arriving in store or before alterations are started.”. Final Payment rarely can be made by check. Most shops provide that sales are final so that means even if you cancel your wedding, you are responsible for final payment.
4. Dye Lots and Floor samples.
It seems that the exact color of bridal gowns must be a big problem in the industry because almost all agreements expressly note that dye lots vary and are not guaranteed. Most shops provide that floor samples are sold “as is”
5. Delivery Dates.
Gowns are usually ordered many months in advance make sure you understand when it will be delivered, how you will notice and how quickly you need to pick it up after being notified.
6. Extra Costs.
Be careful of extra costs that are not included in your “Total price” which may include charges you might not consider such as delivery from the designer to the store:
“There is an additional fee of $100 per wedding gown for shipping, handling, and insurance from the designer to The Shop.”
7. Non-Delivery by the Designer.
What happens if the gown’s designer doesn’t deliver the dress to the shop? Most shops will include that they are not responsible, but will include some mechanism for replacement:
