Morning everyone, long time viewer but new poster. After yesterday's Norwood bombshell dropped from the oakwell sky I thought I'd ask for some advice this morning. I'm getting married in a little over 3 weeks, everything is sorted feet up for a few weeks or so I thought. We received some dreadful news on Sunday, only by chance my better half spotted it on Facebook, our photographer for the day has unfortunately suffered a massive brain hemorrhage, which then triggered a stroke, my immediate thoughts are with him and his family. His wife who would have been assisting him on the day has basically posted a Facebook message to say all business is on hold as her husband doesn't have the mental capacity to make business decisions, until anything changes there will be no updates and messages may not been seen fir some time, all understandable. After the initial shock and panic I thought OK this can't obviously be helped and I hope the poor chap makes a full recovery but let's be honest he isn't going to be taking photos in 3 weeks time. Like many others, some of which are due to wed before us, are now panicking as there simply isn't any communication updates as in (A) we are cancelling and will issue a refund as per T&C's or (B) we are arranging cover for your day. Without wanting to sound heartless at some point all these people, ourselves included need an update, I've sent messages via social platforms and email but as yet had no reply. My predicament from a legal perspective is I have someone on standby who will need a decsion and payment by next Monday at the latest, if I decide to go with them can my photographer then suddenly at the 11th hour pop up with well you've cancelled on us, not us on you, so your not getting a refund. Whilst I fully understand the focus on her husbands health and she must be going through an incredibly stressful time, the non communication is obviously leading to an incredible amount of uncertainty, to which some people have already taken the plunge and booked elsewhere, it's a really difficult one and not your normal situation,any advice from people with similar experiences or legal nous would be welcomed. Thanks
I’d be booking elsewhere and risking double photos/losing my initial deposit if it’s possible for you to afford that. You need photos of your wedding day, you just do, so I’d make sure that was a guarantee first of all, even at the risk of losing money. What does your original contract state? Ours said that an alternative photographer would be provided so if yours does too then I’d expect that to happen and I’d try and pay your own arranged back up photographer a retaining deposit just in case but expect to lose it. If it doesn’t say anything I’d just eat the financial loss for now and properly book the alternative photographer and see what happens. You may have to pay twice if the original shows up but it’s looking doubtful and paying twice is a better alternative than having no photos. If you find out closer to the time that they are both definitely booked and turning up you may be able to change one of them to a later date and have a photo shoot for a one year anniversary or a pregnancy shoot or Christmas pics or something. Failing that, just get one to follow your fiancé around and one to follow you and get pics of everything, or ask one to come later in the evening as you tend to not have a photographer around by then so you can get some fun party shots.
I would cancel the wedding. Save a lot of money long term, increase happiness and reduce stress ;-) but seriously do you have a contract with the photographer. I would start there.
Thanks, having just double double checked the small print a bit of relief to see "all reasonable efforts will be made to appoint a 2nd photographer in the event xyz can't not attend" "Should this not be possible all monies will be refunded" From that I will probably taken on board the advice above and bite the bullet with a retainer fee I'm prepared to lose.
you could always advise your original photographer to agree to have your backup as the official 2nd photographer. In other words your solving everyones problem if you all just agree to move on with plan B either directly or managed by photographer A.
If you can afford it ask the new people if they could do a video instead of photos if the original sends a back up. Our wedding video was one of best things we did especially the 5 and 15 min highlight versions they created for us.
Sounds like a shitty situation and not really anyone to blame given the circumstances. Think you've done the right thing given what has happened and I would just try and recoup it later as realistically there is no chance he is going to be able to do it. I wouldn't tell them you have booked someone else in case that is used as a get out. I get married soon too and would do the same.
Rather than risk the "well you cancelled on us" scenario, send a polite letter or email, possibly copying in a solicitor, stating that you do not wish to cause them undue stress or worry in their current unfortunate position, but please be aware we will be instructing your insurers that we will be claiming for costs incurred at a time when you are more able to deal with the situation. On the subject of insurance, I think it's the first question on most couples list when talking to a photographer. What happens if you don't turn up, what happens if your camera breaks, what happens if you leave the lens cap on, etc. I am 99% sure a decent pro will be covered. All the best
Thanks for the advice from everyone certainly given me food for thought and taken the blinkers off, invaluable
Thanks I'd looked on with one eye open at times over the years thinking should I or shouldn't I, been watching the reds since 82, originally from Royston now in Halifax
The way I see it, you aren't cancelling, rather the business is on hold understandably due to unforeseen circumstances. As they won't be able to honour the original booking (i.e. your wedding), then all money should be refunded in time. As the lady will be likely in distress at this time and her and her husband's minds will be far from their business, it's reasonable to expect returning funds to take some time. I understand the anxiety around monies owed etc, but I'd just advise a little patience. You also have evidence that 'business is on hold for the foreseeable' hope it works out and all the best for the big day!
