Vendor Payments

Our videographer had the same payment schedule in our contract. I asked them about it because I was so confused, but he said he does it that way to make it easier on the couples so they don't have to pay everything at once. So we paid him based on that payment schedule.

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So you paid yours after your wedding day? I plan on just doing it the week after since 2 major final payments are already due the week of the wedding lol

Our first photographer had the same clause in our contract, I think its pretty normal. However our current photographer for our big wedding would like final payment before the wedding.

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Yes. Our videographer charged a total of $1,200 and broke up the payment schedule into three payments. The first $400 was owed when we booked their services, the second was two weeks prior to the wedding, and the third was a month after the wedding.

I think that's pretty wild, and it's weird to me that so many others seem to think this is normal. No vendor in my area would ever take payment after a wedding. And when I was a video assistant, our company would never have gone to a wedding without payment already in full. We immediately started editing, like the day after the wedding generally, so if we spent 50+ hours editing and then a couple decided not to pay (and just not get their films) then we just did a bunch of work we didn't get paid for.

That said, if the contract allows it, then you are free to do it.

I wouldn't want to - I'd want to be done with the wedding that day, and not have to worry that I still owed money on it afterward, but that's a personal preference.

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I can totally understand your view point. For me, it seems like maybe our vendor is wanting to allow his work to be approved before accepting final payment? I'm not sure as it's something I've yet to discuss with him, but I think he may already feel security since his deposits are half of his total cost for his service. As much as I'd love to not worry about payment after the wedding, we'll already be doing so when we evaluate the services our vendors gave us when determining tips. I plan on just adding his gratuity to that final payment when we send those out.

Most photographers and videographers don't accept final payment until the prints or video are ready for various reasons but mainly because they're the only vendor that will have to continue working after your wedding, until the product is delivered. They still need to do editing so their end of the contract isn't fulfilled until then. Take advantage of any payment that can wait! lol

If you have the money, I would just pay them. You’re going to be so busy after the wedding with honeymooning (assuming you’re going somewhere) and then opening and tracking gifts and sending thank yous. Having one less thing to worry about afterward is ideal in my opinion.

Our photographer, videogropher payment is due after the wedding we wont get any photos until they are paid the balance