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Paying your photographer...

WeLoveLilo05WeLoveLilo05 member
100 Comments
in Wedding Photography and Videography Forum
With our income tax money we decided we were going to put some towards paying off our photographer ($2500). The money is due on our wedding day, which is why I just want to pay it off, I don't want to be walking around handing out money and worrying who got paid/who didn't on my wedding day.  My mom thinks thats silly, I should hold onto the money. I just want to start paying things off, KWIM?
Do you think this is foolish? What are you doing? What did you do? Our wedding is 6 months away, by the time we get the money and hand it over to our photographer we will probably be 4 months out.
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Re: Paying your photographer...

  • badkittyctbadkittyct
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Put it aside in an envelope until your wedding. The problem I see with paying early is WHAT IF they pull the "I didn't get paid" card, or what if they decide to not show since they are paid. Sure there is a contract but I am paranoid.

    Put it to the side. It will wait.
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  • ~mRm~~mRm~
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011

    What's written in your contract? Some vendors want a portion prepaid to secure their services and the balance due on a time frame before the wedding day or upon delivery of their product after the wedding is over. I personally would follow those guidelines for delivering payment. I agree with PP about putting money aside in envelopes and putting them somewhere secure or with someone who will keep them safe for you (or from youWink) until it's time to pay your vendor.
     
    I can honestly say not one of my vendors asked for payments the day of the wedding. They know there is so much going on they aren't going to add money into the mix. My vendor payoffs were made on the final meetings I had the week of the wedding. My photographer asked for final payment when he delivered my albums, that may not be the norm but that's how my contract was written.
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  • Shutterbug101108Shutterbug101108 member
    Tenth Anniversary 100 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Excellent question.  I'd recommend to either pay your photograher at your final consultation or have someone else responsible for paying vendors, such as one of the groomsmen since they typically have less prep time during the getting ready timeframe.  It's great to pay off vendors early however please be super careful as to make sure you have a solid contract and a reputable vendor.  I had one of my girls book their photographer at a wedding show, paid a hefty deposit and 1st payment and when she went to contact him 6 months later, no phone, no email response, gone.  This final payment is more so your guarentee than for your vendor's.  Good luck!
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  • WeLoveLilo05WeLoveLilo05 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Both photographer and DJ want payment on or before the day of our wedding. If paying by check, payment must be made one week before.
    Both had the retainer fee when I signed the contract.
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  • LauraT25LauraT25
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Set the money aside, paying 4 months in advance doesn't really make sense.  I would check your contract - if you really have to pay them on the wedding day, I recommend doing as PP sugested and giving an envelope with the check in it to a GM/MOB/MOH and have them handle the payment.

    I definitely recommend writing a check because you have proof of payment when the check is cashed.  If that means paying a week earlier or something, then it's worth it IMO.
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  • deepcovejackiedeepcovejackie
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    You kind of want to make sure the photographer shows up, as well.  Paying the total in advance may be asking for trouble.
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  • jemmini6jemmini6 member
    5000 Comments 25 Love Its Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Our contract for our vendors states our final payment is due 2 weeks before the wedding.  We were comfortable with this because both our photographer and DJ are highly recommended and have been operating this way for quite some time and have never had any issues.  They both stated, and I agree, that it's better to have it done and out of the way so that you don't have to worry about it the day of your wedding. 

    Regardless though, I wouldn't pay them 4 months in advance, especialy when that money could be earning interest....
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  • tander1tander1
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I am 8 months out from my wedding. Our contract states that final payment needs to be made 2 weeks before the wedding. I just mailed my final payment to him last week. I just wanted to get that money out of my account so I could focus on how much more I needed and for what.

    I feel this is a safe deal for me because we have a pretty solid contract and I trust my photographer as he came highly recommended.

    I say it is all in how you trust your photographer and if you feel you have a safe contract!!!
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