Wedding Industry Law

News, information, and commentary on the law affecting wedding industry professionals. Hosted by wedding lawyer Rob.

105: Can a wedding business be responsible for guest shot by police? 04/18/2022

105: Can a wedding business be responsible for guest shot by police? 🤷🏻‍♀️ When deadly tragedy strikes a wedding event, who, if anyone, can be held responsible? In this week’s video, we talk about the absolutely unfortunate death of a wedding guest who was shot by police at a Florida wedding reception earlier this year. /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/22807646

Sued for bad manicure before the wedding? 04/11/2022

Sued for bad manicure before the wedding? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Can you be sued for giving a bad manicure? What if it’s really, really ugly? In this week’s episode, we play the game of “what if” and talk about what would happen in a lawsuit over a bad mani. Watch the full video on YouTube: /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/22746500

Can you increase the price because of…covid/war/gas prices? 04/04/2022

Can you increase the price because of…covid/war/gas prices? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Once the client has signed your contract (that has a set price), are you allowed to ask for more money if your costs have skyrocketed? In this week’s video, we talk about how to shield your business from the volatility of today’s world and pricing with your contract. Watch the full video on YouTube: /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/22666613

Can you fire clients for being A-Holes? 03/28/2022

Can you fire clients for being A-Holes? 🤷🏻‍♀️ - Have you ever wanted to fire an A-Hole client? Is that legal? In this week’s video, we discuss the risks and legalities involved with terminating contracts with problem clients. Watch the full video on YouTube: /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/22588520

3 ways to make your contract less scary 03/21/2022

3 ways to make your contract less scary 🤷🏻‍♀️ Have you ever had a client refuse to book you based only on the content of your contract? If so, it may mean that your contract is unnecessarily scary! In this week’s video, we talk about making your contract less Cassie and more Rue… Watch the full video on YouTube: /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/22507541

Does the order of contract clauses matter? 03/14/2022

Does the order of contract clauses matter? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Why does every contract seem to be in the same order? Why do some terms come at the beginning and some at the end? Does the order of contract terms matter to enforceability or a judge’s interpretation? In some instances, maybe! In this week’s video, we talk about contract clause order and best practices with your contract. Watch the full video on YouTube: /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/22431377

Dealing with Independent Contractors Quitting 03/07/2022

Dealing with Independent Contractors Quitting 🤷🏻‍♀️ Do you have a stable of go-to contractors to step in for you (DJ, Musicians, Day-of Coordinators, Photographers, etc.) at events? Ever have a contractor flake out on you or just not want to work with you anymore? In this week’s video, we talk more about contract terms to hammer out what happens if you or your contractor wants to terminate the relationship. Watch the full video on YouTube: /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/22359188

Five things your LLC needs! 02/28/2022

Five things your LLC needs! 🤷🏻‍♀️ A limited liability company is fairly easy to maintain (compared to other business formations). But, that doesn’t mean you can just “set it and forget it.” In this week’s video, we talk about five things your LLC needs! Watch the full video on YouTube: /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/22274612

Four terms to include in Independent Contractor agreements 02/21/2022

Four terms to include in Independent Contractor agreements 🤷🏻‍♀️ Many growing wedding businesses hire independent contractors to TCB. Best practice is to have a written contract with the contractor in place. But what should you put in it? In this week’s video, we talk about 4 essential terms for your independent contractor agreement. Watch the full video on YouTube: /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/22194830

Couple sues planner and venue over noise restriction 02/14/2022

Couple sues planner and venue over noise restriction 🤷🏻‍♀️ NYC couple sues planner and venue because noise ordinance prevents reception from getting loud, forcing the party into another, smaller room. Does the case have merit? Is it worth the FIVE MILLION DOLLARS the couple is demanding? In this week’s video, I ramble on about breach of contract, fraud claims, and defenses. I promise it’s not too boring. Watch the full video on YouTube: /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/22119002

What is a registered agent and does your biz need one? 02/07/2022

What is a registered agent and does your biz need one? 🤷🏻‍♀️ A registered agent is a person or company designated to accept “service” on behalf of your company. What is service? Sometimes official correspondence, but most of the time its legal documents like lawsuits. In this week’s video, we talk about whether your wedding business needs a registered agent. Watch the full video on YouTube: /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/22039370

Are E-Signatures enforceable? 01/31/2022

Are E-Signatures enforceable? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Like Blockchain, NFTs, and Cryptocurrency, e-signatures were once considered futuristic and risky. Now they are quite commonplace. In this week’s video, we talk about the enforceability of e-signatures and how they may be used in court to prove your client actually signed your contract. Watch the full video on YouTube: /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/21875462

Know when to fight your clients (NOT Literally!) 01/24/2022

Know when to fight your clients (NOT Literally!) 🤷🏻‍♀️ “You gotta know when to hold em’, know when to fold em’, know when to walk away, know when to run…” In this week’s video, we talk about the factors to consider before suing a client. /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/21800216

Can you charge more for different clients? 01/17/2022

Can you charge more for different clients? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Can you charge a potential client more than another potential client for the SAME DATE (all other things being equal?). Is that discrimination under the law? In this week’s episode, we discuss this concept. Check it out! /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/21793781

How to fight credit card chargebacks 01/10/2022

How to fight credit card chargebacks 🤷🏻‍♀️ Have you ever had a client dispute a credit card charge? If so, you know it can be a pain in the booty. But is there anything we can do to come out on top when this happens? In this week’s video, we talk to Brian Manning over at BancardSales about successfully fighting credit card chargebacks /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/21719225

3 end of year tasks for your wedding business! 12/20/2021

3 end of year tasks for your wedding business! 🤷🏻‍♀️ The year is coming to a close and you’re sipping your boiled custard (or eggnog if you’re not southern) with a smile. But, have you dotted all our I’s and crossed all your T’s for 2021 as it pertains to your business operations? In this week’s video, we talk about 3 tasks that will help close out your 2021 and jump-start your 2022. Some required by law, some just good ideas. Check it out! /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/21539369

Can you charge a surcharge for credit card payments? 12/13/2021

Can you charge a surcharge for credit card payments? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Do you use a merchant service provider for credit card payments like Square, Paypal, Honeybook, etc? If so, you’ve probably wondered why there is a surcharge for your transactions (should things be FREE?!)? In this week’s video, we talk to Brian Manning over at BancardSales about credit card surcharges, what they’re for, why we pay them, and whether this cost can be passed on to our clients. /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/21456974

Can I make the couple get cancellation insurance? 12/06/2021

Can I make the couple get cancellation insurance? 🤷🏻‍♀️ What is “cancellation insurance” and what does it cover? But more importantly, can your contract actually require that the couple buy it? In this week’s video, we go in depth on this and more! /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/21384878

Can I make the couple get liability insurance? 11/29/2021

Can I make the couple get liability insurance? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Can your contract require that the couple acquire general liability insurance for the event? In this week’s video, we talk about insurance, what it covers, and whether the couple can be obligated to name you as an insured. /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/21305396

Four problems your contract solves 11/22/2021

Four problems your contract solves 🤷🏻‍♀️ The contract is not simply a piece of paper. It’s a sword for attack and a shield for defense of your business. In this week’s video, we talk about four primary ways that your contract helps you with that you may not even realize. /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/21238418

Can the couple change the date after the contract is signed? 11/15/2021

Can the couple change the date after the contract is signed? 🤷🏻‍♀️ What happens when the couple wants to change the date of the wedding after the contract has been signed? What are your obligations as the wedding professional to provide services on the new date? In this week’s video, we talk about how and when changes to the date can occur. /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/21161168

What is a DBA? 11/09/2021

What is a DBA? 🤷🏻‍♀️ DBA means “doing business as” Its a name that is registered but is not the legal business name of the entity. It’s sometimes referred to as a trade name or fictitious name. In this week’s video, we talk about when a DBA can or should be used, and what it means in relation to an existing business or LLC. /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/21096029

Does a single-member LLC need an operating agreement? 11/01/2021

Does a single-member LLC need an operating agreement? 🤷🏻‍♀️ If you are the owner of a single-member LLC, do you still need an operating agreement? If you’re the boss, why would you need a document that says just that? The answer may surprise you. In this week’s video, we talk about the advantages of having a strong, detailed operating agreement for your single-member LLC. /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/21001859

Can you record phone calls with your clients? 10/25/2021

Can you record phone calls with your clients? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Have you ever wanted to record a phone call with a client because you didn’t trust em’? Or maybe you wanted to record a phone call as a record of what was agreed to? Well, you better believe there are laws about that. In this week’s video, we talk about the legalities of recording phone calls with your clients. /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/20916209

Do you keep the date open when waiting on clients to sign? 10/18/2021

Do you keep the date open when waiting on clients to sign? 🤷🏻‍♀️ When you send your contract or proposal to the couple for signature, is it crickets? If so, what are your obligations in the meantime? Are you allowed to accept and book another gig for that date if the couple does not get back to you? In this week’s video, we discuss all about the concept of offer and acceptance, and when a contract is legally formed. /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/20827742

Photographer deletes couple’s photos when denied food at wedding 10/11/2021

Photographer deletes couple’s photos when denied food at wedding 🤷🏻‍♀️ According to Reddit, a hungry wedding photographer bailed on a wedding because he was denied the chance to eat by the groom. Not only that, the photographer deleted the photos in front of the couple before bouncing. In this week’s video, we do a hot take on the legal issues involved in this ice cold photographer’s behavior. /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/20770772

I messed up and got sued. How much will I owe? 10/04/2021

I messed up and got sued. How much will I owe? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Sometimes you mess up. Sometimes when you mess up, the client doesn’t let you make it right. So when you find yourself as the defendant in a lawsuit, how much will you be on the hook for? While the legal answer is always “it depends,” in this week’s video you’ll learn principles to better understand your liability when it comes to lawsuits with clients. /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/20687102

How to choose a lawyer for your wedding business 09/27/2021

How to choose a lawyer for your wedding business 🤷🏻‍♀️ Don’t settle for just any lawyer. If you are in the United States, you have 1.2 million lawyers to choose from. In this week’s video, we talk about how to whittle that number down and select the attorney that is right for you and your wedding business. /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/20601272

4 tips for winning in small claims court 09/20/2021

4 tips for winning in small claims court 🤷🏻‍♀️ So you have found yourself in small claims court because of some terrible clients. While there are no guarantees in life, in this week’s video, we talk about 4 tips to improving your odds of a successful outcome. Check it out! /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/20457458

4 things to expect in small claims court 09/13/2021

4 things to expect in small claims court 🤷🏻‍♀️ The typical small claims court is meant to be a resource to the individual or business for issues that may not warrant the expense of a /episode/index/show/weddingindustrylawpodcast/id/20297609

Wedding Industry Law

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