MONEY ISN'T THE most romantic of subjects, but there are certain financial issues that it pays to think about when you get married – before you get all caught up in daydreams of Champagne fountains and layers of organza. The SWD asked legal guru Gillian Black for some tips

What’s the best way to pay for wedding supplies?
Pay by credit card if possible: the credit card company has extra obligations if things go wrong. For example, if the supplier of goods is in breach of contract, you will have a claim against your credit card company as well as a claim against the supplier, and may be entitled to withhold payment. To qualify for this protection, the goods or services must be purchased on your credit card and must be priced between £100 and £30,000. You don’t get this protection if you pay with a debit card or by cash or cheque.

Is it usual practice to pay a deposit?
It would be usual to pay a deposit to secure major wedding supplies such as a venue or a dress, often up to 50% of the total price – make sure you get a written receipt. If you are using professional help to organise your wedding, then you should be particularly careful about handing money over to the individual. It’s much better to pay the venue (or florist, photographer, dress-maker etc) directly,

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Why should couples consider getting wedding insurance?
Insurance can often be a good idea: the more expensive the wedding, the more the bride and groom have to lose, financially, if something goes wrong. Before taking out a policy, make sure it covers all your expenses and that the company is reputable – there’s no point in having insurance if the company has a reputation for not paying out under claims. Also, brides should make sure they answer all questions on the application form honestly, as incorrect or misleading answers could invalidate the policy.

What happens if the couple change their mind and want to cancel the venue?This can be tricky. The best advice is to be 100% sure before entering into a contract with the reception venue. Otherwise the bride and groom could lose their deposit or even have to pay the full price in the case of a last-minute cancellation with no-one else to hire the venue for that day. If you are in this situation, seek legal advice to find out what your rights and responsibilities are.

If a couple haven’t signed anything is it possible to just walk away from an agreement?
No! Scots law does not require contracts to be in writing, so it is perfectly possible to enter into a legally binding contract in person, or by email or phone.