Wedding vendors often ask for money before the event. That is understandable. A lot of the work, such as buying materials, holding your date and turning down other jobs, happens before the day. The risk is paying without a clear record of what you agreed.

These steps make that risk smaller. They cannot remove it. This is general information, not legal advice.

1. Agree the job in writing

Before you pay anything, make sure these are written down and that both of you have a copy:

  • What the vendor will do and deliver
  • Date, start time, end time and place
  • The total price and what it includes
  • The deposit, and when the balance is due
  • What happens if the date changes or either side cancels
  • Who to call on the day

A clear message or email is a good start. A voice note or a phone call alone is easy to forget or dispute.

2. Know who you are paying

Look at the vendor's past work and ask for examples that match your job. Check that the name on the account matches the name of the business or person you agreed with. On SkillConnect, a Verified badge means the vendor has completed identity checks and filled in their profile in the app. It does not guarantee the quality of their work.

3. Pay in a way that leaves a record

Choose a method that leaves a record, such as a bank transfer or a payment through an app. Avoid handing over cash with nothing written. Save the confirmation.

4. Ask for a receipt every time

On 25 March 2025, Radio Nigeria Lagos reported FCCPC advice (opens in a new tab) that consumers should demand and obtain a receipt as evidence of payment for products and services. A receipt, with the date, the amount and what it was for, gives both of you a record.

5. Think about paying in stages

For bigger jobs, a common arrangement is a deposit to secure the date and the balance closer to delivery. Agree the stages in writing. There is no single right split. What matters is that both of you know the amounts and the dates.

6. Be careful with pressure

If someone says "pay now or lose the date", slow down. A good vendor will give you time to confirm the details in writing. If a vendor refuses to put the agreement in writing, think carefully before paying.

7. Keep everything together

Keep the agreement, messages, receipts and payment confirmations in one folder. If you use the free SkillConnect planner, you can record each payment there too. Those entries are your own notes. SkillConnect has not checked them, and the planner does not take payments.

8. If something goes wrong

Start by talking to the vendor and showing your written agreement. The FCCPC complaint FAQ (opens in a new tab) says you should contact the provider first, and that you can then complain to the FCCPC if you are not satisfied. The same page says making a complaint is free. A complaint is not a promise that money will be returned.

How payment works on SkillConnect

When you pay through SkillConnect in the app, Paystack processes the payment into SkillConnect's merchant balance. SkillConnect normally initiates the vendor payout after you approve completed work. An eligible dispute raised before payout can pause release. SkillConnect is not a licensed escrow provider. Release follows the agreement and our Terms.

In practice, the vendor sends a payment request, you check it and can ask for changes, and then you pay before the job starts. The vendor is told the payment was successful. After the work is delivered, you have seven days to approve it or ask for changes. If you do not respond, SkillConnect reviews the case and may authorise release. Payment is not released automatically just because those seven days have passed. An open dispute is dealt with before release. Only after you approve the work can the vendor ask to withdraw. We aim to process a withdrawal within 3 to 5 working days. That is a target, not a promise of when the money arrives.

These steps help reduce certain financial risks. They do not guarantee the vendor will arrive on time, that the work will meet your expectations, or that a payment can always be refunded. A partial refund can be made after a dispute is settled. Settling a dispute does not mean a refund in every case. If there is a dispute, an amount that has not been released may be held back from release. Money already paid out may be hard to recover. Only payments made through the app follow these steps. If you pay outside the app, none of this applies.

Frequently asked questions

Is a deposit normal? Some vendors ask for one. Agree the amount and the date of the balance in writing.

Should I pay in cash? Cash leaves no record unless you get a signed receipt. A transfer or an app payment leaves a record.

What if the vendor asks me to pay a personal account? Ask for a reason, check that the name matches the person or business you agreed with, and keep the confirmation.