Wedding Photography and Videography Forum

Break a Verbal Commitment with a vendor?

I am a bride on a beer budget, and a few months ago I was referred to a photographer who was going to give me a great deal on engagement photos and wedding photos. Given the incredible price ($1200 for e-session and 12 hour coverage on the day of the wedding), we couldn't say no (remember, beer budget!)
Recently, a good friend of mine mentioned one of her friend's husband is a professional photographer.  My fiance and I decide to meet with him, just to see what he has to say (which I'm starting to think is a mistake). My fiance was very impressed -- he came prepared w/ his assistant photographer --equipped with iPad presentation, albums (which were beautiful), etc.  Unfortunately, our original photographer had none of the above to show us during our first meeting :( --which lost some points w/ the fiance. 
Although the second photographer is a bit more ($800 more) the fiance and I are willing to increase our budget, considering we want the photos to be absolutely great (since it will capture our day forever).  The problem we have now is...  if we decide to go w/ the 2nd photographer, how do we break our vebal commitment to the first? We have already scheduled our e-session in a couple of weeks.. although no monies have been exchanged. All verbal.  Any suggestions? Is this DO NOT DO on the wedding list? Please help.

Re: Break a Verbal Commitment with a vendor?

  • You are not locked in with a vendor until you sign a contract (and sometimes pay the retainer fee). I would tell the photographer you are canceling in writing that you have decided to go another route. Get a contract with the new photographer.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_photos-video_break-a-verbal-commitment-with-a-vendor?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:30Discussion:a4972e11-983b-44c6-9137-bcfd493175a4Post:d8a814d3-c38c-4961-93c3-392f31da37de">Re: Break a Verbal Commitment with a vendor?</a>:
    [QUOTE]You are not locked in with a vendor until you sign a contract (and sometimes pay the retainer fee). I would tell the photographer you are canceling in writing that you have decided to go another route. Get a contract with the new photographer.
    Posted by LauraChristin[/QUOTE]
    All of this. <div>
    <div>Contracts are a way to protect you (client) and the vendor. If that vendor does not deliver what they agreed on you can hold them to it if you have that contract. </div><div>
    </div><div>For example. When signing the venue contract there was no mention of having a plainclothes officer during the reception. Then I noticed on their website that they now require the client to hire one. Because it was not mentioned in the old contract (one we signed) the venue footed the bill to have an officer present. This saved us $$ that we had not budgeted for.</div></div>
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