What to do about cancelled wedding?

[akimartymar]

I just got an email from a bride that her summer wedding has been cancelled. I've never dealt with this before so I'm kind of unsure what to do. Do I need to get her to sign something stating this? I guess worst case scenario is that they still have the wedding and then try to sue because I didn't show. What do you guys do about this?

[Ahh!]

keep the email in hard copy and try and book something else on that date. i would refund the deposit if i got something else (and it completed) after the date.

if you need stronger evidence that she cancelled, call her and confirm by voice (the excuse is, you wanted to confirm her email) then follow up with a condolence email and offer to be there for her when her circumstances change.

"Regarding our conversation today, you must be disappointed about the cancellation/postponement/whatever of your wedding plans. Please keep me in mind..."

[LoungeLizard]

Get a cancellation agreement that they sign. It should state that they relieve you of further responsibilities and what they are liable for in terms of forfeited retainers/payments, etc.

[Clint_Smith]

wedding without a contract?! Shudder at the thought.

If you have any money from her, give it back minus the deposit...I actually call it a non refundable advance, a friend of mine calls his a non refundable professional fee.

[Howard Barlow]

Whether they called off the wedding, or went with another photographer, if they decided they didn't want me there, I didn't want to be.

I would, as politely as I could, say, "OH, gosh. Hmmm.... Well, you do realize you are bound by lawful contract, and the truth be told, you still owe me $XXXX. What if I called you and said I found a bride that was willing to pay me more than you contracted for? Would it be OK for me to tell you the contract didn't mean anything to me, and I was dropping you to go to her wedding, instead?

"Tell you what, if you don't want me there, I don't want to be there. Of course, the deposits are spent, as I have turned down other work for that date I promised you. However, if, and only if, you bring me your copy of the contract, stating in writing on the contract you do not want me to photograph your wedding, and you, John, and (whoever actually signed the contract) all sign the release, then I will forgive the $XXXX you still owe me as a matter of law, and I will release you from the contract.

"That way, Monday morning I don't have to worry about your lawyer in my studio, waving a contract and lawsuit. If you don't do that, I will be at the church on time, ready to fullfill my contract. If it is not possible due to your fault, my attorney will be at your house Monday morning, waving a contract and lawsuit."

I would have the contract back that day, all signed. They were happy to do whatever I wanted, they just didn't want to pay the balance.

Could I have collected? Who knows? They never wanted to find out.

[akimartymar]

Originally Posted by Clint_Smith

wedding without a contract?! Shudder at the thought.

If you have any money from her, give it back minus the deposit...I actually call it a non refundable advance, a friend of mine calls his a non refundable professional fee.

No one ever said anything about not having a contract. That would be pretty irresponsible not to. I even had a contract for the first few weddings that I did pro bono. I just don't have a "Get outta my contract- contract".

[rbredden]

Keep the deposit and tell her you will apply it to future wedding shoot. Sorry to hear about the cancelation, I'm sure you will get another booking. Good Luck!

[akimartymar]

Originally Posted by rbredden

Keep the deposit and tell her you will apply it to future wedding shoot. Sorry to hear about the cancelation, I'm sure you will get another booking. Good Luck!

That's pretty much what I've done. Another thing that I was curious about was the fact that I have increased my rates since she signed. If she does happen to get married later on would you guys offer the same rates as before or the new ones?

[Howard Barlow]

NO! The wedding didn't happen. Next go 'round it should be current prices. What if she waited 5 years?

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by akimartymar

That's pretty much what I've done. Another thing that I was curious about was the fact that I have increased my rates since she signed. If she does happen to get married later on would you guys offer the same rates as before or the new ones?

We've had brides cancel. Very dramatic and sad...

Anyway, no, the old contract was terminated (or completed depending on how you look at it) so the old rates don't work. We let the jilted bride carry over her credit to a studio credit, but the prices will be the ones that are in place at the time she comes back...assuming she does.

A relative of mine paid $10K for photography coverage several years ago and then they broke up. He has a $10K photography credit. I doubt he'll ever use it - He thought about having kickin' picnic coverage, but that was about it. Most people dont want to use the photog their belovededs previous finacee chose.

Bad for them...

Yea for you!

[akimartymar]

That's pretty much what I was thinking.

[akimartymar]

Holly, I wish I had someone throw 10 grand at me. :)

[HotHolly]

Yea, me too...and then have them cancel! I'd so go buy the lens I've been drooling over - and maybe a dress or 2!

[rbredden]

You have to charge the current going rate.

[bondarnes]

Our contract states that "in the event the wedding is postponed or cancelled all monies paid may be used for other photography services for a period of 24 months following the original wedding date". Some use their money and some don't, but after two years I am no longer obligated to let them use it. I had one bride contact me after almost three years later with a new groom and I let her apply all her credit, but at the current prices she was happy and it was good PR for me.