Prepaying wedding photographer?

[Belle & Ariel]

My DD will be getting married next May.
She is leaning towards a photographer who requires 1/3 of the package (2-3 thousand dollars) paid upon booking, another third 2 months prior to the wedding date, and the balance 2 weeks prior.
I know for the church and reception we have paid $200 deposits at both and I am fine with that. But a photographer could go bankrupt tomorrow and I would lose a huge chunk of money.
I cannot understand why they need so much now and before the wedding. But DD really wants this photographer and no one we know has used them.
Is this the way it is done now?

 

[buckeye76]

My husband is a wedding photographer! He does not require those kind of deposits. He will typically do like a $200 deposit when booked to hold your date and then the balance is due 1 week before the wedding. Also scary that no one knows this photographers work!! How did she hear of him?

 

[Gisela]

I know around here generally a 50% deposit is due a few months out with the balance a week or two prior to the wedding. Talk to the photographer and ask what happens if they are to go bankrupt prior to the wedding (or even right after, as I know someone this happened to). Have terms written in the contract. Most of all, go with your gut. I chose a photographer that had been with a company who had been in business for 80+ years and were very well known...I knew they weren't going anywhere!

 

[stace1214]

My wedding photographer (a few years ago) wanted 1/3 down when we booked hi, 1/3 two weeks before the wedding and the rest after the wedding once we had seen the pictures. I don't think I would be totally comfortable giving all of the $ before the wedding for a photographer, but that's just me.

 

[AllieKat]

Our photographer had the same fee schedule except our last 1/3 was due 2 days before the wedding. We personally didn't know anyone who had used our photographer, but Googled and searched The Knot for mention of her. I had asked if she'd provide references and she did. Be sure to read the fine print on the contract. At least if something awful does happen, your DD will have something to take to court.

 

[horseshowmom]

My daughter got married in June. We paid a $450 deposit when we booked the date (about a year out), and we had to pay the remainder two weeks before the wedding.

 

[msmayor]

I don't care how good a photographer is, I'm not forking over the full balance before the event EVER. Once they have the full contract amount in their hands, you've lost any leverage should problems arise during the event or afterward.

 

[KrazyPete]

I'm a photographer in NC. I take a 25% deposit to secure the date and I require the balance to be paid in full 2 weeks prior to the wedding. I find pre-payment to be the norm. Obviously different photographers can have very different policies.

He should have shown you a LARGE sample of his work and don't be afraid to ask for references. If you're concerned at all that the photographer may not be able to deliver the service on the wedding day then you really need to do some more work before you put down a deposit in any amount.

 

[secretpantssam]

My wedding photographer (a few years ago) wanted 1/3 down when we booked hi, 1/3 two weeks before the wedding and the rest after the wedding once we had seen the pictures. I don't think I would be totally comfortable giving all of the $ before the wedding for a photographer, but that's just me.

That's what i was thinking. I would want to wait to see the pictures before I made the final payment. It's not like the caterer we has to buy the food or anything.

 

[RachaelA]

We gave $200 down and then the rest of the balance 2 weeks before. I just got married in May.

There are contracts for a reason. Just make sure you sign one.

 

[2binak]

I wouldn't be comfortable making the final payment until at least the day of the wedding or until I saw the proofs. This goes for any type of service. I would not give full payment until the service has been completed.

ETA - we have friends who own a photography business and they do not require final payment until proofs are delivered.

 

[java]

Around here everyone has at least 20% due after the pictures are delivered. It just is an inspiration to get them to you in a timely manner.

 

[maraki527]

we put the deposit and then the full amount was paid a week before the wedding.

 

[2manypets]

My DD's getting married in June and we just finished interviewing a lot of Photographers. The one DD's chosen want 1/3 down now to hold the date. 1/3 the day of the wedding, after photos are taken. 1/3 upon delivery of the album and proofs. I thought this was fair, but geez, they are more expensive than I first imagined.

 

[Stephanie218]

We paid the same exact schedule as the OP is looking at. Luckily, we had met the photographer before and didn't have a problem paying upfront.

 

[maddmike]

A good professional photographer is going to require a decent sized down payment. The wedding photographers I know ask for at least 25% down and sometimes more. I don't think 33% is high but closer to normal for a professional. For most professionals this is there main source of income so they want a downpayment to reserve the date and know you are serious. Just make sure get a detailed contract and that you understand the terms of payment. Don't be afraid to check references because if he/she is good they will have plenty.

With the advent of digital cameras there are many people that think they are photographers now days. Photography is more than owning a good camera, it is knowing how to use it. Always ask for references, even though they won't give you names of unhappy people, and check out some of their work.

 

[2manypets]

I agree with Maddmike, we interviewed a lot of photog's that did this after work or as a side job. We just didn't feel comfortable with the "I'll have to ask for time off of work" scheduling of some.

 

[tweedlemom]

My wedding photographer (a few years ago) wanted 1/3 down when we booked hi, 1/3 two weeks before the wedding and the rest after the wedding once we had seen the pictures. I don't think I would be totally comfortable giving all of the $ before the wedding for a photographer, but that's just me.

Ours was the same.

 

[QVCshopper]

In your contract, have the photographer write his name (ie, commit) to doing your wedding. Mine did a "bait and switch" and someone I never met showed up on my special day. The pictures came out well, but it was upsetting never meeting a person who was photographing your wedding. Lesson learned...

 

[MousekaMaddi]

I am a wedding photog (20 yrs)...I require 1/3 deposit upon booking, another 1/3 the week before event and final 1/3 when the couple picks up the proofs.

Congrats on your big day!