Extras charges from postponing due to Covid-19

What?! Dude that’s a lot. Although I understand some things got more expensive and that’s why some vendors are seeking additional charges, it’s also quite a bit to want 15% more. Is he charging you that because it’s a new rate for that year? what does your contract say?

Is that what the contact lists for the “date change fee”?

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So my contract says that the $500 is non-refundable if we cancel or postpone and that is pretty much the only clause that talks about cancelling or charges. He stated that he's charging a 20% fee to all his postponed weddings with new dates in July-October. He said that he's doing this because he doesn't think he'll have a wedding at all this year. He's willing to be "generous enough" to make it a 15% fee for us because my fiance is a veteran.

**contract

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So my contract says that the $500 is non-refundable if we cancel or
postpone and that is pretty much the only clause that talks about
cancelling or charges. He stated that he's charging a 20% fee to all his
postponed weddings with new dates in July-October. He said that he's
doing this because he doesn't think he'll have a wedding at all this
year. He's willing to be "generous enough" to make it a 15% fee for us
because my fiance is a veteran.

I would tell him you're not paying it and find another photographer because he isn't upholding his contract. Either he'll be happier to keep your business without hiking the charge, or you'll find a new photographer. That charge isn't in his contract, so charging it isn't fair. If it literally says the deposit is nonrefundable for a postponement, but doesn't mention another postponement fee on top of that, then adding a fee is not in accordance with his contract and I wouldn't pay it.

Elizabeth is right. I would go for another Photographer. I would pay the original price or move on from them. The random sudden increase in price that's not in the contract makes me think this person is not honest, nor are they a good business man/woman. Not to mention they are trying to over charge you to compensate for their missed business towards the end of the year, and what's worse is that they actually had the nerve to say that out loud to a client/customer. I truly hope all is well in September but I would be very concerned if another change needed to be made. There's no telling what the price will be then. Best of luck to you you

I think as long as he did it in a professional way that is okay, but your should negotiate.

I would say something like. I understand you are a small business, but the cost of changing the wedding day are really staring to add up. Would you be willing to agree to a 7% change fee? Hopefully, we can come to an agreement because we are so excited for you to shoot our wedding next September.

Unfortunately that's something that I've heard is happening to a lot of my friends who have had to postpone their wedding because of the virus. Personally, I would fight it. Check your contract with your photographer and see if it states anything in the contract about a fee when changing the date due to things out of your control. I know most vendors have never thought of putting something along the lines of a pandemic in their contract, but I found a loophole in one of my friend's contracts when it stated something along the lines of "rescheduling due to circumstances out of the control of the client" - I don't remember the exact wording because I found it a month ago while we were still quarantined. When I read it, it seemed like it meant if her caterer had to reschedule or cancel, but the way it is worded in his contract, it can be seen as something like COVID-19 - b/c my friend doesn't have control over that, lol. She took it to her caterer and they dropped trying to make her and her FH pay a fee to reschedule with them lol. Not going to lie, I'm surprised it worked and they caved as fast as she said they did. I work in the contracts department for my company and look over contracts every day so I'm kind of trained to spot loopholes

Wow. Thats messed up. No one should be gaining anything from this situation. Yes, he lost out on money due to there being no weddings right now but thats still not your fault. if he changed your initial contract that you signed without your consent I think you can sue or at least fight it.