wedding contract term

[michaelnotar]

just noticed that my wedding contract terms and conditions uses 'client', and when my 'reproduction' clause comes up, i use 'client' again. i also have a model release part of that. i think it needs to be B+G.

i keep client and B+G separate incase someone else is paying.

so this needs to be changed right? i would think it does since i am only releasing the client.

how often are others than the B+G paying you? i though i would suggest if someone else is paying that they pay them and the B+G pay me, that way it works well.

[DougAxford]

Most photographers insist that the Bride or Bride & Groom are 'the client'. Even if a parent is paying, the client is strictly the B&G. I have lost a few weddings when a mom wants to handle everything and that's OK with me, but I MUST have B&G here in the studio for an interview and the contract is strictly with them. If I lose a few, that's fine by me because I'm probably avoiding a disaster in the making. Doug

[Ed Gerson]

We use an invoice. Services rendered. I don't like contracts. I will take a deposit on the condition the bride and groom come in, and my emphasis is that I do not just "show up to git pitchers". Here's a humorous result of NOT meeting the bride and/or groom: a father booked his daughter's wedding with me a few years ago, he alone made all the arrangements for his daughter's wedding, not even the mother was with him. I showed up at the church, the music started, the doors open, a bride and a father begin the procession. But its not the father who booked the wedding! I frantically check the info sheet, yeah, right church. Music starts up again. Another bride and father begin their procession. The third bride with her father bingo!, that's the guy!

[ChrisPerry]

You have to cover all the bases. No telling what may happen.

I had an out of town couple come 'home' for their wedding. MOG paid for the photography.

about 2 months later MOG calls and tells me that Bride and groom are splitting, and she wants just a few prints of him, and then nothing else.

Hmm...i check. MOG signed contract, MOG paid. Fine by me.

BUT it brings up the very real possibility that a parent pays and the bride / groom sign teh contract. Later the parent wants their money back...they have a canceled check and no other paperwork/contract with you - so you could be screwed if it goes to court, in theory.
What if after the wedding they (anyone) wants to cancel the album and get a refund to use toward their house?
What if they paid with credit card and dispute the charge? Tough if the contract signatory is the CC payer, but if mom paid and never signed anything you're likely gonna be out the money.

Bride signed. she was single. now she's married. what does that legally do to things, if anything? If the groom never signed?

You can't be covered for everything that could ever happen, but some things are not that far out.
Got any deadlines or penalties if they order their album after 3 months or 3 years or 10 years? Does that 'credit' ever expire? What about price increases on albums, or if that specific album or color is no longer available? Then what?

If it's not spelled out in the contract then it's up to a judge to make a decision - if it ever goes that far. A $1000 wedding? Probably not gonna be an issue. A $10,000 wedding? A lot more money, and rich people often are connected to lawyers (family, coworkers, golf buddy, etc) so a bad or weak contract becomes a bigger issue.

[ChrisPerry]

Originally Posted by Ed Gerson

We use an invoice. Services rendered. I don't like contracts. I will take a deposit on the condition the bride and groom come in, and my emphasis is that I do not just "show up to git pitchers".

You have to have it in writing! 6 hours or 12 hours of coverage? One photog, 2, 3, 12? Printed proofs or DVD or an album of what size, quality, etc? Sounds like you're asking for trouble to me.

[EricC]

Originally Posted by Ed Gerson

I don't like contracts.

Then I hope that you LOVE lawyers. With that kind of attitude I know that they will love you.

I never cared where the money was coming from the contract was signed by the B+G. With the advent of same sex weddings I had my contract re-done to accommodate the inevitable B+B or G+G or whatever. Everything was changed to 'client'. We don't do weddings any longer but I would never consider taking money for a service and product without the terms being spelled out.

If you want to add a layer of insulation, have mom buy a gift certificate that the B+G then use to to pay for your services. That way you have a paper trail that shows where the money came from and where it went but the B+G are still redeeming it and are the clients.

[Ed Gerson]

Eric - I love lawyers. I photograph lawyers' weddings. My best friend is a lawyer.

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