Wedding Planner Contract Template

A wedding planner contract protects a date the planner can only sell once, and gives the couple a clear picture of what happens on the day. This template covers the package and payment schedule, the couple's decisions, vendor coordination, the planner's hours and team on the day, meals for the team, postponement, cancellation, and photo use.

  • 1. The Wedding and Services
  • 2. Fees and Payments
  • 3. The Couple's Decisions
  • 4. Vendors
  • 5. The Wedding Day
  • 6. Changes
  • 7. Postponement
  • 8. Cancellation
  • 9. Events Beyond Either Party's Control
  • 10. Limitation of Liability
  • 11. Photos
  • 12. Agreement
  • Signatures from both parties
Free, no account needed to start. Not legal advice.

Use it once a couple accepts your proposal, to reserve their date before planning starts.

The full template

Words in brackets, like [Client Name], fill in automatically from your client's details when you use the template in Clientary.

In the editor, you can change any section or add your own. Once you send it, your client signs online from any device. Edit this template online

This Wedding Planning Agreement is made on [Contract Date] between [Company Name] ("Planner") and [Client Name] ("Couple").

1. The Wedding and Services

Planner will provide the [package, for example: Full planning] package in Planner's signed proposal, which is part of this agreement, for the Couple's wedding on [wedding date, for example: June 13, 2027] at [venue, or "a venue the Couple chooses"] (the "Wedding").

2. Fees and Payments

The fee is $[amount, for example: 9,800], paid as follows:

  • Retainer on signing: 40%
  • Second payment, six months before the Wedding: 30%
  • Final payment, 30 days before the Wedding: 30%

If the Wedding is less than six months away, the second payment is due on signing. Invoices are due within 15 days.

3. The Couple's Decisions

The Couple makes the final decisions on budget, vendors, design, and guests, and will respond to Planner's questions within one week. Planner will give recommendations and checklists, but late decisions may limit vendor availability or add costs.

4. Vendors

The Couple signs vendor contracts and pays vendors directly. Planner will recommend vendors, review their contracts before the Couple signs, coordinate them through the Wedding, and send each vendor the final timeline one week before the Wedding. Planner doesn't take commissions from vendors.

5. The Wedding Day

  • Planner will run the rehearsal, and on the Wedding day will manage the timeline, vendor arrivals, setup, the ceremony and reception cues, and breakdown.
  • The package includes [hours, for example: 12 hours] on the Wedding day for Planner and [number, for example: two] assistants. Time beyond that is $125 per hour for each team member, only when the Couple or a person they name asks for it.
  • The Couple will include Planner's team in the vendor meal count, so the team can eat during the reception.

6. Changes

Added services, such as a welcome party or a day-after brunch, are agreed in writing before the work, with any added fee.

7. Postponement

The Couple may postpone the Wedding once to a date within 12 months, subject to Planner's availability, with payments made applied to the new date. Vendor postponement terms are set by each vendor's contract.

8. Cancellation

  • If the Couple cancels, Planner keeps [the retainer, for example: the 40% retainer], which reserved the date.
  • If the Couple cancels more than six months before the Wedding, payments beyond the retainer are refunded.
  • If the Couple cancels within six months of the Wedding, payments made are kept, and within 30 days the full fee is due.
  • If Planner can't perform because of illness or emergency, Planner will send a qualified planner from its team or network in its place. If that isn't possible, Planner will refund all payments made.

9. Events Beyond Either Party's Control

If the Wedding can't take place because of severe weather, venue closure, public health orders, or other events beyond either party's control, neither party is liable to the other. Planner will apply payments to a new date within 12 months, or refund payments beyond the retainer.

10. Limitation of Liability

Vendors are responsible for their own goods and services, and Planner isn't liable for a vendor's performance, delays, or failure to perform. Planner's total liability under this agreement is limited to the fees the Couple has paid. Planner carries general liability insurance and will provide a certificate on request.

11. Photos

Planner may use photos of the Wedding's design and setup in its portfolio and marketing, and will ask the Couple before using photos that show the Couple or their guests. Planner will credit the photographer whenever it uses their work.

12. Agreement

This agreement is governed by the laws of [state, for example: California]. It and the proposal are the entire agreement between the parties, and may only be changed in writing. By signing below, both parties agree to these terms.

How to use this template in Clientary

  1. Edit it online. Change any section or add your own. No account needed.
  2. Preview it as your client will see it. Fill in who it's for and pick a design.
  3. Start your free trial to send it. Confirm you'll have it reviewed, since templates aren't legal advice, and your contract is waiting in your new account with your client's details filled in.
  4. Send it to be signed. Your client reviews and signs online, and you can see when it's viewed and signed.

Learn more about contracts and e-signatures in Clientary.

Frequently asked questions

Is a wedding planner's retainer refundable?

Usually not, because it reserves a date the planner turns other couples away for. Contracts typically keep the retainer on cancellation and set out what happens to later payments, depending on how close to the date the wedding is cancelled.

Do wedding planners need to be fed at the wedding?

Planners and their assistants often work 10 hours or more on the day, so most contracts ask the couple to include them in the vendor meal count. Caterers usually offer vendor meals at a lower price.

Is this wedding planner contract template free?

Yes. Read and copy the full text on this page, or edit it online and see it as your client will. When it's ready, start a free Clientary trial to send it or download it as a PDF.

Has a lawyer reviewed this template?

No. It's a general starting point written by Clientary, not legal advice, and it hasn't been reviewed by a lawyer for your situation or the laws where you and your client work. Have your own counsel review it before you use or sign it.

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