ever have any real complaints

[janetg]

about venues? just wondering, if you have been places, seen things that just should not be happening, or did happen or stuff like that.

[Tom]

I had one wedding where I had to shoot through two glass doors and wasn't allowed in the sanctuary. The couple knew ahead of time, so they expected me to be limited.

[bondarnes]

I would share, but I'm considering writing a book. After photographing over a thousand weddings I thought I had seen just about everything, until Christopher Coy posted this link:

WEDINATOR - Trashing Your Special Day is our Prime Directive

[S-Man]

We need a private log that we can log into and post reviews of venues and what to expect at them, and make it where the venue managers can't find the posts with a simple google search. On OSP there's a private section where people vent about guests and whatever, but I'm not sure how private it is.

[ngoduyviet]

One time during the summer, July if I remember correctly, the AC system shutdown for the entire wedding ceremony all the way to the reception at this all-in-one venue.

Talking about fast pace weddings, it was like running a friggin' marathon with 100lbs of gear on you, the good thing was it ended really early so I got off early to pop some cold ones afterward with my friends :)

I can tell you that I don't shoot there anymore, even if the pay was good. Reportedly, this wasn't the first time it happened there.

I'm no where near Don's number, but I've seen quite a bit of things that probably fill up a book as well.

[janetg]

i am considering writing something on this...maybe just a private handout to brides about what to watch out for at their venues.

[S-Man]

You could blog about stuff. The company could still hate on you because of it, and the less scrupulous would trash your name because of it.

[CaptainTom]

I think that putting bad things about any venue anywhere will get to that venue and you will be less than welcome the next time you show up there.

If a bride were asking you ahead of time about venues it would be OK to express your concerns, but once they've selected the venue you should just use your knowledge and try to overcome the obstacles.

[S-Man]

^ This is true. I was also thinking, don't couples usually pick the venue first and foremost, then plan the date based on what's available at the venue? Photographers come down the list, so the venue would potentially already booked.

[bondarnes]

Originally Posted by janetg

i am considering writing something on this...maybe just a private handout to brides about what to watch out for at their venues.

You might start a preferred venue list to give to brides. It could contain an FYI section of things to ask your venue about before booking. That way you are not publicly "dissing" any venue, but are listing the venues you enjoy working with and at the same time educating the bride about possibly pitfalls to watch out for.

[janetg]

there's no way i'd put bad things about a venue on my blog - haha - suicide!! i think there are a lot of things on the 'you should ask before list' they don't think about AT ALL and some of it - i've never seen written anywhere either.

[janetg]

good advice don..

[Some Idiot]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

I would share, but I'm considering writing a book. After photographing over a thousand weddings I thought I had seen just about everything, until Christopher Coy posted this link:

WEDINATOR - Trashing Your Special Day is our Prime Directive

hahahaha great site Don / Chris

[toverman]

Maybe suggesting a list of trusted wedding coordinators would be useful. If you don't have relationships with any already, you need to get on their most-trusted lists.