Update on the Bride

[Breezy]

Well I sent her an email several actually cause she kept coming up with different #s but all being "after" the wedding.
Any ways in my last communication with her I told her straight up
I am sorry but I have to have all money BEFORE the wedding and if that won't work for you then maybe you should look for someone else!
This was a week before the wedding. Haven't heard from her since
Anyways the friend who recommneded me to her informed me that she didn't have a photographer, So I guess she screwed herself in the end trying to be cheap
Thanks for all of the great advise though, I greatly appreciate it and I now have a baseline Wedding Contract for when the need arises again :D
thanks again

[ShutterBrain]

If she went without a photographer, her intent from the beginning was probably along those same lines - " Photographer for as close to free as possible". It was probably a good thing you let this one go. I have a feeling you would have had to negotiate with her even more when trying to get the balance later.
Sorry my wife and I couldn't help, but worked out in the long run.

I plan to be in Corpus during Christmas. Perhaps we could get together.

[bondarnes]

Consider this a valuable lesson learned at a very small price. You should probably be thankful that she didn't book with you. All of my bad wedding experiences started out a little shaky from the git go and went downhill from there. So I guess this means we won't see you on "Peoples Court".

[Breezy]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

Consider this a valuable lesson learned at a very small price. You should probably be thankful that she didn't book with you. All of my bad wedding experiences started out a little shaky from the git go and went downhill from there. So I guess this means we won't see you on "Peoples Court".

Not this time any way lol May be there about my house lol if I don't the builder first
Bill let me know the dates and i would love to meet you. I sent you a PM and I am still trying to get more info on other places for you.
Thanks for all of the help you guys gave me. And yeah I am glad I didn't shoot it. Dh was actually more pissed than i was lol.

[Liz]

I think you had a lucky escape on this one. There will be much nicer situations to pop up for you :)

[Breezy]

thanks Liz I hope so :D

[Michelle Allmon]

well, photography wasn't one of her priorities. which is why she NEVER would've paid you.

[Breezy]

Originally Posted by Michelle Allmon

well, photography wasn't one of her priorities. which is why she NEVER would've paid you.

I am just glad I talked to you guys cause i would probably been nieve enough to have given her the benefit of the doubt and then would have gotten screwed in the process
So thanks again :D

[billash]

I guess I've just been living right, because with over 900 weddings behind me, I've only been stiffed a couple of times, and only TOTALLY stiffed once...by the daughter of a Pentecostal preacher.
Early on, I learned to get all my money up front, because there were a couple of occasions where the b&g were already splitsville by the time I had their wedding proofs ready for them to pickup. Guess what....they didn't want them,nor did they see any reason to pay me the balance they owed on their package.
Once you've been burned, you make changes to prevent recurrences.

[photosbysergio]

Breezy, it just wasn't meant to be. Last year I shot a wedding in early April and they just finished paying off the balance this past October. I kept the wedding album in my possession until the balance was paid in full. Learned my lesson on that one.

[Breezy]

thank you all for the words of wisdom
I will definately get the money upfront or I won't shoot anyone
Thanks again guys