Weddings are one of the scenarios in life where everything has to be paid up front, and with good reason. I remember when I first started out. I felt bad taking large deposits from people. Another photographer and videographer said to me ‘Why do you feel bad? They have to pay it all to you anyways!’
The reason was that I didn’t feel confident, and self assured. I had the wrong mindset. You see, for a wedding venue, many of them take a $5,000 deposit for the ceremony and reception. They state that their deposits are not refundable. The same applies with most photographers, videographers, and so fourth. You see, there are popular dates every year in the wedding industry. I remember one year, having 4 weddings in October, but literally getting about 40 brides enquiring about October 5th of that particular year. Another year it was May 5th, and another year was December 12th. Once the first bride is officially booked, with her contract completed, and her non refundable booking administration fee paid, the wedding vendor then knocks back all the other brides and enquiries for the date.
One year I had a bride and groom who had chosen a very popular date. I think it was October 6th that year. One month before the wedding, right when their final balance was due, they told me that they were postponing until January 21st the following year. It just so happened that January 21st was another hot date for the year. At that point, I only had a $500 deposit from them, and after knocking back over 2 dozen brides for October 6th, was left weddingless for the day.. To make things worse, my contract said nothing about clients moving their wedding date, and so I didn’t even have a new deposit for the new date. I lost $3,000 by not having a wedding that day. I had other last minute enquiries for January 21st, but I was knocking them back for this same couple, and a few weeks before the wedding, when I was following up their final balance, they emailed me to say that their engagement was called off. I had lost 2 major wedding dates, and told over 40 brides that I was unavailable, and was left with $500 instead of between $6,000 and $8,000 for the 2 dates. I immediately changed my contract.
You see, most wedding photographers only take on a select number of weddings every year, and knock back the rest. There are popular dates, and other dates that nobody wants to get married on.
From the time of booking, I invest as much time as possible in researching the clients wedding, and different ideas to make it unique. A lot of time and effort goes into all of the communications and meeting with the bride and groom before the wedding, and it’s all very involved.
On top of that, without deposits, there is the potential for brides to tell dozens of suppliers that she’s booking them, when she has no intention of it. We are promising to keep the date available for you, and you are promising to pay the wedding supplier for their hard work and efforts.
Once I made my deposit half of the balance, I realized that I started dealing with clients that were showing me so much more respect, and respecting my work as an artist.
So brides and grooms, and other photographers, I hope this post has helped you with your thoughts on wedding deposits and booking and administration fees.
xoxo Sky Simone
