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Want to make sure you stay within your wedding budget? Always read the fine print on all your vendor contracts for hidden fees.

Here, a few things to watch out for in your catering contract:

PRICE-ESCALATION CLAUSES
These permit a company to charge more for menu items if food prices rise, for example. If your vendor won’t delete the clause, be sure he inserts an acceptable ceiling on costs.

THE HIGHER COST OF SOME MEATS AND SEAFOODS AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR
Discuss this with your caterer; you may want to tell him that you would like to consider items that will be available at a reasonable price at the time of your wedding.

LAST-MINUTE FEES
Your contract may contain a clause that says you must nail down all the details a week before the big day—or else incur more fees. Find out if the company has liability insurance. Most larger companies do carry it; smaller ones may not. In that case, you might attach a rider to your homeowner’s or renter’s policy.

Photography: Luciana Pampalone.