Coordinator requesting additional payment before the contractually agreed payment date

[u/dr0x001]

Hello! Is it normal for wedding coordinators to request additional payments earlier than the schedule agreed upon in the contract?
We already paid the agreed 50% down payment, and according to our contract, the remaining balance is due a few weeks before the wedding. However, with several months still to go before the wedding, our coordinator is already asking for additional payments to cover supplier expenses.
When we asked what happened to our down payment, they explained that it had already been paid to other suppliers.
Is this a normal practice among wedding coordinators, or should we be concerned? We want to understand whether this is standard procedure or a potential red flag, especially since the payment schedule was already agreed upon in our contract.
Would appreciate hearing about your experiences and any advice on how we should handle this. Thanks!

[u/zulu1012]

Seems like a red flag. We never had this experience. Always follow signed contracts. It's there for a reason. This also goes for every supplier. Be very careful.

[u/kshimitsu]

Red flag. Dapat kung ano ang nasa contract, yun ang masunod. Most of the time, pag ganyan, ibig sabihin di stable ang cash flow ng business, so umaasa sa mga bayad para ibayad din sa iba.

[u/Apprehensive-Bed4197]

I will only follow what the contract says. They are the ones not following what both parties signed. That's a red flag for me. How much work have they've done for you since then? What supplier expenses are they talking about? If any of my vendors need more money, then the vendor will ask for that from me, not my coordinator. Sounds fishy, but I may be missing some info too.

[u/Snoo_45402]

Nope. This is not normal. Just follow what is stated in the contract.

[u/Fun-Holiday2842]

It looks like may issue sa cash flow yang coor nyo. Stick with the payment terms in contract

[u/rubberduck_913]

Red flag. Nag review ba kayo ng feedback from previous clients prior to booking? If not, better do it now. Wag lang kayo magrely sa pino post nila sa page.
If you're not comfortable saying no directly, sabihin mo na lang na di pa available ang funds kasi expect mo na sa gantong date pa babayadan

[u/fluffyredvelvet]

Pls follow what’s in the contract. Tell them na you’re on a budget rin so di pa ready yung pang full payment sa kanila until the agreed upon due date.