Do I have to pay a charge that wasn’t in the wedding vendor’s quote?
Generally, you don’t have to pay for charges that weren’t included in the original quote. If a supplier didn't clearly explain a fee before you agreed to the service, you’re not usually required to pay it.
To charge you for something, the supplier must be able to show there was a contractual agreement (written, verbal or implied) and that you were made aware of the fee before the service was delivered.
This means that:
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you should have been told the full price up front, or
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the extra cost should have been clearly stated in a quote or terms of service you accepted
If a charge comes as a surprise after the wedding, you’re entitled to ask for a breakdown and question anything that wasn’t discussed or agreed to in advance.
What counts as a contract with a wedding supplier?
A contract doesn’t always need to be a formal document. You can have a legally binding agreement based on:
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a signed quote or booking form
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email chains or message threads
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verbal agreements, if you can show evidence (eg follow-up messages or notes)
If there is no evidence of a fee being discussed or agreed upon, a court would unlikely enforce it.
What happens if extra costs come up during the provision of service?
Sometimes additional costs arise after the contract has started. For example:
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a venue needs extra setup time
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a florist has to swap flowers due to supply issues
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a photographer offers overtime on the day
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you request that an additional tier be added to your wedding cake
If the supplier informs you of the change and you agree to it, then a new contract (or a variation of the original contract) is created. In this case, you may be expected to pay. It is crucial that any such agreement to changes in the services and costs is recorded in writing (eg via text, email, or using a designated Contract variation).
However, if you weren’t notified of the extra cost, or you didn’t agree to the change at the time, then you may not be legally liable for it. A supplier can't simply decide to add costs after the fact without giving you a chance to say yes or no, as this would likely breach consumer rights laws under the Consumer Rights Act (CRA) 2015.
What if the invoice includes vague or inflated charges?
If a supplier adds extra fees after the event (such as admin costs, ‘premium’ upgrades, or additional hours), they must show that:
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the fees (including VAT) were clearly outlined before the extra service was provided, and
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you agreed to it, either explicitly or by continuing with the booking on known terms
Suppliers cannot usually rely on vague terms or small print that wasn’t brought to your attention when the contract was formed. Under the CRA 2015, terms must be fair and transparent. Unclear or ambiguous pricing (including hidden fees) could be challenged as unfair, especially if it puts you at a disadvantage.
Can a supplier take legal action if I refuse to pay?
They can try, but success isn’t guaranteed. A supplier may choose to send payment reminders, a Letter before action, or bring a claim in the Small Claims Court (or equivalent court in Scotland) to recover unpaid fees. However, they’ll need to provide evidence that you agreed to the amount being claimed.
If you receive a legal threat or court claim, you should:
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stay calm and respond within the deadline
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gather any relevant quotes, emails, contracts or payment records
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clearly explain which charges you’re disputing and why
The court will look at the facts, not just the invoice. If the supplier can't prove there was an agreement, they may not succeed.
What if the supplier won’t back down?
You can try to resolve the issue by:
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writing a clear, polite complaint explaining your position
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asking for a detailed breakdown of the charges
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requesting mediation (or other forms of dispute resolution) or help from a relevant trade body (our Legal Pros can assist with dispute resolution as part of our affordable Dispute resolution service)
Most reputable suppliers will want to avoid a formal dispute and may be open to compromise.
If they continue to chase you for payment and you still believe the charges are unfair or unauthorised, you should Ask a lawyer.
How to protect yourself from wedding cost disputes
In case a supplier does attempt to charge you extra unexpected fees with surprise invoices or disagreements arise later on, it’s a good idea to take measures to ensure you are as protected as possible.
Hidden fees have recently been banned as an unfair commercial practice, so be sure to look out for any that a supplier might have slipped in.
Being proactive at the booking stage makes it easier to resolve any issues after the big day.
If you have any legal questions about hiring a wedding supplier or enforcing your consumer rights, do not hesitate to Ask a lawyer. If a supplier has charged you unfairly, failed to deliver as agreed, or is refusing to engage with you, consider using our Dispute resolution service for end-to-end advice and support in resolving the issue.
