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Just Said Yes July 2018

When did you pay your Photographer?

Ashley, on June 23, 2017 at 5:54 PM

Posted in Planning 66

Hi! So I have been navigating through the waters of many photographers and thought I had found 'the one'. They came back with what I thought was an odd payment schedule that they won't budge on (and as a result I have not signed anything yet). My wedding is July 28, 2018. They want $699 this August...

Hi! So I have been navigating through the waters of many photographers and thought I had found 'the one'. They came back with what I thought was an odd payment schedule that they won't budge on (and as a result I have not signed anything yet).

My wedding is July 28, 2018. They want $699 this August 2017, after a $200 deposit fee now. Then another $699 in January. Then another $699 in May 2018. THEN $750 after the wedding.

Is it unusual for a photographer to ask for so much money so many months before the wedding? My event venue isn't even asking for so much so early! The photographer claims it's to keep their photographers 'paid and happy' well before the wedding...but it just seems odd when I would rather just pay a retainer up front and then in full 2 weeks before the wedding.

Are we really old fashioned for not wanting to pay for a service nearly a year early? I don't want to keep track of 4 different payments for a year! Should we just move on to someone else?

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66 Comments

  • Maleficent
    Super January 2018
    Maleficent ·
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    I paid half as a deposit and the other half I will be paying 2 weeks prior to our wedding.

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  • Melaina
    Super November 2017
    Melaina ·
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    I put down 20% when we signed the contract and then the rest is not due until the wedding day.

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  • FutureFuji
    VIP September 2017
    FutureFuji ·
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    I paid $200 when I signed the contract and the rest is due 2 days before the wedding. I think paying after is fair also, it protects both sides in the case of the photographer since there are still services and goods due after the wedding. Photographers have leverage as they can withhold photos until final payment.

    In general, postponing payment as long as possible makes the most sense. What if something comes up (illness, emergency, pregnancy etc.) and you need to change your wedding date? Or if you change your mind on which vendor you want to use? It is much harder to get money back from someone than to have not spent it in the first place.

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  • Cassidy
    VIP October 2017
    Cassidy ·
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    I was going to say, when the contract says to

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  • Stephannie
    Super December 2017
    Stephannie ·
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    My photographer required a retainer when booked and payment in full the day of the wedding. He is actually my only vendor not due before the wedding. But all other payments are 30 days/8 days before the wedding.

    ETA: my FH is a videographer and doesn't request payment in full until he delivers the wedding video to the couple AFTER the wedding.

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  • hannahdee
    Super June 2018
    hannahdee ·
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    Our contract says we don't get all our pictures back til they're paid, which makes sense. But we can make as many payments as we need until the wedding

    ETA and a $500 deposit when we booked

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