Payemnt in Full before the Wedding

No way man, though I do respect what you write. Don't forget accountants.

I just think that the climate here in Aus(and imagine it's the same everywhere) is that a young couple will have only so much money in their budget and so many surprises will catch them out in the cost of the whole ordeal, that it's prudent to get all the money you can before you start shooting.

I charge most of the money up front and then I'm left to collect between a few and no more than several hundred dollars later. I find the less they have to pay after their honeymoon, the greater the chance that I'll see the money.

I can tell you that I'm arrogant enough to tell a bride and groom that more money up front helps me to feel like taking better photos on the day, that it's a matter of enthusiasm when I don't feel worried whether or not their marriage will see past collecting the final package.
I tell them that the reality is business is business and I don't want to lose money.
Then on their day I handle even the most frustrating moments for the bride... with humour and calm. Professional!

I'm just getting back into weddings Paul and the calls are frequent, bookings starting to fill.

Good luck to all of us,
Bill.

[WilliamClark]

This is how I handle the final payment. When I book a wedding I receive a small retainer fee. With every couple I've been hired I offer an engagement photo session. I will create 15 to 30 images with B&W film, make contact prints, mail em off to the client where they choose one that I will make into an 11x14. I mat the print with a fairly large white border (about 5" on each side) and I bring this to the wedding events with a Sharpie pen for all to sign. After the wedding I take the mat & print with me and I frame it. When the couple is back from their honeymoon, some even come to my studio right after the wedding, I give them the finished heirloom and receive the final payment. This has really gone over quite well as some couples have even used this as their guest book. It accomplishes many of the goals I want to achieve one you just read about.

[David_A_Smith]

Paul, you seem to make an awful lot of uncomplimentary suppositions about a great number of people based on your knowledge of only one tiny aspect of their business.
I do not believe I have a holier than thou attitude, throw my weight around or am a terror at the weddings I cover. According to the notes and cards I get from my clients, it seems they find me quite fun to work with. On the other hand, I do take award winning photos and I do get my money up front.

If working the way you do gets you the results you want and makes you comfortable that is great. Please do not try to insult others though that have different working practices to yourself or assume that there is something wrong with the quality of the service they provide their clients, their work or
ethics just because they choose an different ( and more accepted) way of running their business than you do.

I cannot comment about the way things work in the UK but I hope you never try to get married in Oz. While you may possibly find a begginner photographer you can convince to take payment after the event, I KNOW you won't find a caterer, hire car company, suit hire, or cake decorator that will not require their money up front or will have their ideas changed either.

Just as you believe you do a good job and act in good faith by the way you run your business does not mean other people don't do the same even though they approach the financial side of their business a different way to what you do.

[Paul_Rogers]

I did say MANY not MOST or ALL photographers. As we all know the people I talk about are out there, you may know of some yourselves. So they are not suppostiions, they are fact. Incidently I mentioned no names so don't please don't presume I am talking about people here!

I did not wish to upset anyone on this thread, it was merely my point of view. I perhaps put it forward too forcibly, and I apologise to anyone I may have upset. My actions are better than my words! Personally I think why should I treat wedding couples any differently to any other customer? With press, sport, magazine work etc I send an invoice and get paid after the customer has received the pictures and they are happy them. I have had companies who have not paid me (through going to the wall) but I have never had a wedding couple not pay.

As for quotes from people along the lines of "I work better when I'm paid up front". That can't be true can it? Surely professionals always work at our best. Isn't that what makes a professional!

No way man,

I take better photos when I'm paid up front.

Regards,
Bill.

[Paul_Rogers]

David

On your point regarding planning a wedding in good old Oz. I would expect to pay up front to the people you mention, they all need to but materials before hand.

1. Caterer - Needs to buy food to prepare
2. Car Hire - Need to buy fuel to get the venue and ferry the family/guests around
3. Suit Hire - Need to press and prepare clothes (dubious!)
4. Cake Decorator - Need to buy ingredients

Also
5. Flowers - Need to be bought before the wedding.

Photographers who shoot film need to buy film, so no argument about buying materials and wanting a fee up front. Digital shooters have all their equipment bought already. Nothing is needed extra that is specific to the wedding unlike any other trade mentioned above (with maybe the exception of tailors). All these above points were pointed out to me by various clients which is why I changed to this way of working following the move from film.


It's just the way I like to work, and it works for me. As you point out others work in different ways and that works for them. As long as we can all make a good living from it and enjoy it then all well and good.

[EricCanha]

Hmmm Paul add this to the list

6. Photographers have to buy cameras, lenes, strobes, have our tux cleaned, fill the tank, and pay an assistant.

We get 25% up front as a booking fee and the balanced due 30 days prior to the wedding or event. Further more our contract states that any cancelation within the 60 days will incure a minimum $1000 day rate minus the booking fee. Your time is the single biggest consumable. Once I lock the date I'm stuck I can't call back a couple that I turned away just because 3 weeks before the date I'm now available.

As far as the post that started all of this..... RUN! or Stand your ground and give not one inch lest you will regret it for months after the wedding. And for what is worth is she wants to wait to see and like the prints BEFORE paying you RUN and RUN some more. This is not the kind of person that you what to be working with. And finally you say it's the brides mother that is doing all of the demanding..... I never have the mother sign the contract. ALL of our contracts are signed by the bride and groom.

Eric