I am new to having a business and was curious when you accept a deposit, do you cash it right away or wait? How long before the wedding do you cash it?

I have a terrible habit of leaving checks accumulate and "getting around" to depositing them "someday". This is bad....very bad....

One father of the bride called me to make sure I'd rec'd his check of 2 weeks ago because it hadn't cleared yet. I had emailed the bride a confirmation receipt, but during our conversation, he made me realize that he considered a cashed check confirmation of the deal. I was shortchanging my customer by not giving him the info he was looking for .... a cashed check confirmation.

So don't get into my bad habit.....to the bank you go!

(p.s. I've turned this job over to my husband and made him my "office manager" to keep me organized. The checks are getting to the bank much better now! He's got 25 years as a banker under his belt, so I think he'll do a good job for me! )

I have a contract where i require a down payment of 50% up front. I changed in my contract the word deposit because legally a deposit is refundable.A retainer is nonrefundable. The other half of payment is due 1 week before the event. Now I am new in this business and for now it seems to work. I imagine down the road things might change as one gains more expierence. Good Luck

All money received is put in the bank. You may have to get things ordered. I always make sure I have enough to cover a possible cancellation. I have a 3 week cancellation policy. I have only had to refund once and it was because the groom was in a very serious accident. It was pretty traumatic for the bride. The only thing I don't put in the bank immediately is refundable deposits on equipment rented.