Short one today, but this is one topic I cannot stress enough!
For every vendor providing a service on your wedding day, you should have a contract. And, that contract should be signed before you place a deposit (or at the same time).
Without a contract, there is no proof on the services agreed upon, the cost of those services, what happens in the event of an emergency, turnaround times (photography/videography), etc. With a deposit but no contract, there is zero proof that you have contracted this vendor for the services you have already partially paid for.
As a sidebar to this topic, keep a copy of contracts in your e-mail or print a copy. In the event that your vendor closes their business, ghosts you because they end up being a scam, etc., you will have legally binding proof, readily available. Not trying to scare you, but it happens!
Lots more on reading contract fine print and vetting vendors (especially those you find on social media or whose rates seem too good to be true), later!
Helping YOU say ‘I-DO’,
Your WedUcator