When someone else is paying for your client's event, make sure everyone understands the arrangement.

It's not always the person booking your services who pays the bill.

Perhaps Mum and Dad are contributing to the wedding, a grandparent is paying for the photography, or a generous friend is covering part of the celebration.

Whatever the arrangement, having someone else involved in payment can create confusion about who's responsible for what.

That's where our Third Party Payer Addendum comes in.

What is a Third Party Payer Addendum?

A Third Party Payer Addendum is a supplementary agreement designed to sit alongside your existing client contract when another person agrees to contribute towards the cost of your services.

It helps clarify the payment arrangement without automatically giving the person paying control over the event or the services being provided.

Who might be paying?

Third-party payments aren't limited to parents helping with weddings. They might involve:

• Parents, grandparents or other family members contributing to a wedding or celebration

• Friends or other individuals paying towards an event as a gift

• A business contributing towards an employee's event

• A company or organisation funding an event booked by another party

• Sponsors or benefactors contributing towards event expenses, where the payment is a gift and does not carry sponsorship rights

Why do you need an agreement?

Imagine you've been booked to provide services for a wedding. The couple signs your contract, but someone else agrees to pay.

What happens if that person doesn't make the payment? Can they demand changes to the booking? Are they entitled to a refund? Can they cancel services they didn't book?

Without clearly documented arrangements, an otherwise generous gesture can become a source of disagreement.

What does the addendum cover?

Our lawyer-drafted template addresses:

• Payment responsibilities: Recording the third party's agreed financial contribution.

• Client decision-making: Clarifying that the original clients remain responsible for decisions relating to their booking.

• Payment deadlines: Addressing payment obligations and the consequences of missed payments.

• Booking fees and cancellation: Documenting how the payment arrangement interacts with the original agreement.

• Rights of the payer: Clarifying that contributing financially does not automatically entitle the payer to services or decision-making authority.

• Written acknowledgement: Giving the payer a document to review and sign.

Who is it for?

This addendum is particularly relevant to wedding and event suppliers, including celebrants, photographers, videographers, stylists, event planners, florists, caterers, entertainment providers and venues.

A third party can contribute financially without becoming the client. Make sure your paperwork reflects that arrangement.

Important information

This document supplements an existing client agreement. It does not replace your terms and conditions.

The current template is drafted for a couple's booking and a third-party contribution made as a gift. Different event arrangements, commercial sponsorships or organisational payments may require amendments or a separately drafted agreement.

If your circumstances require customisation, KVA LAW can assist with tailored legal services.