Paying your vendors

It seems like such a simple concept. You book vendors to do various things on your wedding day. Photography, videography, DJ, Bands, Florists, Waitors, Caterors, etc. The list goes on. You book them, they show up, do their job, you pay them, they go home. But what happens when you pay them, they go home, only to find that your check bounced?
My suggestion to avoid this is simple: BUDGET YOUR WEDDING!!!
Again, such a simple concept right? Some of you reading this are staring at the screen going, Uh, DUH!
Well, its not always that simple. Some people dream bigger than their pockets and budgets allow, and after everything is said and done, they are in the hole a whole lotta money. Borrowing from the in-laws isn't always an option.
So in order to avoid embarresment and unwanted debt, here are a couple pointers to keep you on track.
First, write down each vendor expected on your wedding day. Write down how much you have deposited to all of them, and how much the remaining balance is.
If you need to tip any of the vendors, also have a general amount and limit for that written down as well. When you write things down, I have found they become much clearer and much easier to follow.
Now, example. You have 6 vendors. You have deposited a total of $1289.00 between all of them. Your remaining balance is $5325.00. Have the money IN THE BANK, and make sure you or partner, or their mama, or your teenaged daughter, doesnt dip into this money for ANY REASON. If needed, open up an entirely separate bank account specifically for the wedding. I know its hard to have money just sitting sometimes, but in order to avoid future mishaps, have some willpower.
The night before the wedding, write each check to each vendor. That way on your wedding day you are not scrambling around trying to find your parents and their checkbook. And if they are the ones paying for it, make sure THEY have the checks written out ahead of time. Check and DOUBLE CHECK that the money is in the bank, so to avoid bounce fee's and angry vendors.

I know, it seems so simple right?

Tell that to the photographer holding 800 pictures hostage because the bride bounced her check.