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Do most photographers make you pay everything before the wedding?

mrsmendimrsmendi
First Comment
in Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh
I've started my photog search, and two of the them required full payment about a month before the wedding.  Is that normal?  How do I know that they will show up and that I will be satisfied with my pics?  Just wondering how this typically works..

Also, does anyone have any reviews of Ovation Images? 
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Re: Do most photographers make you pay everything before the wedding?

  • pantherRNpantherRN member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Our final payment is due 5 days before the wedding. If they are a reputable vendor, they'll show up.

    I have not heard of that company, but you can check reviews on TK, Wedding WIre, and you can Google. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau.
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  • lindsayzelezniklindsayzeleznik
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Most photogs also include an engagement session in their packages. I think this is helpful so that you will see how they capture you and FI before the big day. Our final payment is also due about a month before the wedding day. We really like our photogs work (we check out their blog more frequently than normal, lol), they are really ncie in person, and have been reliable in getting back to us with questions, etc. I think these are all important aspects to find in photog since you are trusting them with your wedding day. HTH!
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  • Flowerstar1023Flowerstar1023
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Our photographer is having us pay half six months prior to the wedding and the second half before getting the pictures (so at the wedding or around then). I haven't heard of that photographer company, sorry. Maybe you can get some references from them?


    Married since May 12, 2012
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  • MrsDydekMrsDydek member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Not just photographers but every vendor I have ever heard has you pay in full at least a couple days before the wedding. This industry thrives on word of mouth and reviews from previous clients so/because the only way you will know if they are any good is to talk to or hear reviews from other brides. That is why the best deals are usually from small companies that are just starting out. They are trying to build that reputation and there are only two ways to attract brides to a vendor: Reputation and inexpensiveness. 

    So yes, that is totally normal but you should also check out reviews on them and reviews of all your potential vendors. Also read your contracts carefully and make sure to keep a copy or each one somewhere safe until after the wedding is over and you have recieved everything, like all of your pics and albums. If for some reason your photog is a no show you can sue him and in some cases get back even more than what you paid (though most of that will probably go to a lawyer) but if a vendor has good reviews the odds of something randomly changing are few. 

    If this guy is just pulling a scam then you won't be able to find anything on him at all, no reviews, no pictures taken from other weddings, no nothing. Of course not being able to find anything doesn't necessarily mean its just some scan, but it does mean proceed with caution: this guy is either really new, or not real. 

    Haven't heard of him either by the way (but if you are on a budget I would suggest my photogs Limelight-Images.com). Good luck and I hope you find a photog that gives you great pics!  
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  • kayfranz82kayfranz82
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My photography requires full payment 2 weeks in advance.  My MOH and myself are both using A Crystal Clear.  A friend used them, too.....EXTREMELY reliable.
    www.accsvp.com
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  • carcrashheartcarcrashheart member
    Third Anniversary 100 Comments Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Ditto pp: all vendors are going to require that they be paid in full prior to the event date. This is normal. The only vendor that we paid the balance on the day of was the venue. Everyone else was no later than 2 weeks prior, but I believe we paid them all up a month prior to get it out of the way.
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  • sarilynnepsarilynnep
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Sorry I just saw this post, but Ovation Images was on the preferred vendor list that I received from my venue (Carnegie Music Hall). The Hall is notoriously hard to photography, so if they can shoot there and are recommended by Carnegie, they are probably pretty decent.
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  • mrsmendimrsmendi
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    thanks everyone!!
    Sarilynne - that's good to know...
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