What Do You DO when the Bride Has Not Paid
Jul 30, 2015 08:00:31 #
Hey Guys,
I'm a professional wedding photographer.
We booked a wedding for August 8th, 2015.
The bride paid a 1/3 deposit when she signed the contract ..she also paid 1/3 deposit for an extensive engagement session..
The final balance of $1500.00 was due on July 8th.
So far we have sent invoices , six emails , and left three voice messages,--NO response.
I have informed the bride and groom that the balance was due July 8th, and if not paid by today July 31st--we may NOT be available to photograph there wedding. We are to shoot preparations, ceremony, reception. 10 hrs.
What would you do? -- show up or not show up at the brides home for preparations, church and ceremony?
I'm a professional wedding photographer.
We booked a wedding for August 8th, 2015.
The bride paid a 1/3 deposit when she signed the contract ..she also paid 1/3 deposit for an extensive engagement session..
The final balance of $1500.00 was due on July 8th.
So far we have sent invoices , six emails , and left three voice messages,--NO response.
I have informed the bride and groom that the balance was due July 8th, and if not paid by today July 31st--we may NOT be available to photograph there wedding. We are to shoot preparations, ceremony, reception. 10 hrs.
What would you do? -- show up or not show up at the brides home for preparations, church and ceremony?
Jul 30, 2015 08:02:53 #
If you signed a contract you show up. If there isn't proper payment made, small claims court may be your next stop.
Jul 30, 2015 08:04:11 #
Leitz
Loc: Solms
gsugal wrote:
Hey Guys, br I'm a professional wedding photograph... (show quote)
You MAY not?? Tell them you WILL not!!
Jul 30, 2015 08:07:03 #
Pablo8
Loc: Nottingham UK.
Show up............. but do not either take/supply any images till the balance is paid. You hold the whip-hand.
Jul 30, 2015 08:13:47 #
gsugal wrote:
Hey Guys, br I'm a professional wedding photograph... (show quote)
The choice of you showing up is your choice.
She signed the contract and failed to full-fill her end of the contract.
You could show up at the home and say give me the money now or I don't shoot.
Or
You could shoot the whole thing and spend the next million years trying to get the money from them.
Jul 30, 2015 08:22:42 #
If your contract clearly spells out that all payments must be received or no photography will take place, then send them a certified letter reminding them of that ASAP, and let them know where they can hand deliver the cahier's check for the balance. If your contract does not clearly spell out that you won't do the work if everything is not paid beforehand, show up and do the work, but do not release any photos until payment is made. Maybe they are getting cold feet...
Jul 30, 2015 08:27:21 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
gsugal wrote:
Hey Guys, br I'm a professional wedding photograph... (show quote)
If your contract is professional, you need not ask.
Jul 30, 2015 08:45:58 #
Jul 30, 2015 08:47:10 #
gsugal wrote:
Hey Guys, br I'm a professional wedding photograph... (show quote)
How did you inform the bride about the possibility of not showing up? Hopefully, it was in writing, via U.S. Mail, certified with return receipt showing signature of recipient. Otherwise, it will just be a "he said - she said" issue.
Jul 30, 2015 08:48:11 #
yes I could show up at the home -- but shooting with bad "karma" .. may be difficult.
Jul 30, 2015 08:50:55 #
Singing Swan wrote:
If you signed a contract you show up. If there isn't proper payment made, small claims court may be your next stop.
Yes we have a contract stating that "the balance to be paid no later than one month prior to the date of the wedding"
No big fan of small claims court.
Jul 30, 2015 08:52:50 #
Frapha wrote:
How did you inform the bride about the possibility of not showing up? Hopefully, it was in writing, via U.S. Mail, certified with return receipt showing signature of recipient. Otherwise, it will just be a "he said - she said" issue.
Previously we reached out via phone calls, email, and sent over invoices...your idea of certified mail is excellent and will do --no later than Monday.
Jul 30, 2015 08:53:19 #
Just a thought, but maybe the wedding has been called off and she doesn't want to deal with anything wedding.
Jul 30, 2015 08:55:34 #
Show up and take the pictures. As mentioned you hold the Whip. It's your choice when to deliver the Pictures, which would be till all payments made. She has paid you $3000.00 to date. So far that's been for your time only. If you don't show up and shoot this once in life time hopefully you might find a judge not so understanding of your contract. Since the check is being held by the mother how was going to give it to you house. But since you didn't show you ruined the her life.
Jul 30, 2015 08:59:16 #
sb wrote:
If your contract clearly spells out that all payments must be received or no photography will take place, then send them a certified letter reminding them of that ASAP, and let them know where they can hand deliver the cahier's check for the balance. If your contract does not clearly spell out that you won't do the work if everything is not paid beforehand, show up and do the work, but do not release any photos until payment is made. Maybe they are getting cold feet...
Our contract clearly states "balance to be paid no later than one month prior to the date of the wedding" ... I'm thinking now to send over a certified letter indicating that we WILL NOT be shooting there wedding if full payment is not received immediately. .. although we have sent over emails with the same ultimatum... no response
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