Ever work with a WEDDING PLANNER...

[Mrsjperry]

that was slow/unorganized and late getting back with information?

Here's the deal. I have a wedding coming up 8/15/09. Working with the planner as the sole contact person for the couple sense the couple resides out of state.

How bad is it? I emailed the planner the beginning of June with a list of questions and information that I needed from the couple.....no reply no call.

Do a follow up email, the planner apologizes and promises to call. No call....(shocking :rolleyes: I know)

I KNOW NOTHING.....I DON'T EVEN KNOW THE COUPLES NAMES FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!! :oops:

I hate to harass but that's what it has come to...let the phone calls begin!

It's this aspect of my job that really gets me panties in a jumble....arrrgh

[cdifoto]

I don't "work with" wedding planners. I'll talk to them on the day of but they don't usually contribute anything I need to know. I definitely don't work with them pre-wedding and I certainly don't rely on them to find out where I need to be and when. I work with my couples directly even if they're out of state via telephone and/or email. Wedding planners aren't supposed to be photographer-client liasons. They're supposed to help design and coordinate the day. At least that's my experience.

Why are you shooting weddings without knowing the couples' names? How are you booking these things in the first place? I find this to be a rather odd arrangement.

[bps]

I absolutely agree with cdifoto. The wedding planner may provide you with the couple's itinerary for the day, but your coordination should take place directly with the couple. That's the only to learn what their expectations are, etc.

Bryan

[spxxxx]

Surely you have a contract signed by the couple with all the details you would need to contact them?

[Mrsjperry]

The planner contacted me with this soap opera tragedy about the couple so she has all the responsibility to get things taken care of for the couple sense the couple isn't capable of handling any further stress.

And when I say I know nothing it also means I have nothing....not even a signed contract.

Calling today.

[OdiN1701]

Quit now while you're ahead.

[spxxxx]

Quit now while you're ahead.

+1 ;)

[OdiN1701]

I say quit now because:

You have no contract? Never work without one! EVER!

No contact with the couple at all? How did they pick your services? Have you even been paid anything at all?

You NEED to talk to them. Never rely on a third party to communicate as who knows what mix-ups will happen. You need to talk to THEM to see what THEY want, not what the wedding planner thinks she remembers they want. It's their day and important to them, not the planner.

If your services don't concern the couple enough or they don't care enough to want to have input on it and discuss things, then I wouldn't want them as clients.

This entire ordeal sounds like it is speeding straight towards a dissaster, and I'd want no part in it.

[digirebelva]

Call the planner and draw the line right there..Either they give you the information you need "NOW" or they can go find another photog willing to put up with this crap...

Honestly sounds to me like you are at the bottom of the list for the planner, meaning they will get back to you when everyone else on the list is taken care of..:(

[jpnettie]

Please Quit! This sounds like one of those scams where they contact you and want you to transfer money. You have no commitment and no contract ditch them. Never work without a contract unless you are starting out and building a portfolio for yourself and you are using the images for your website.

[jonwhite]

No contract + No deposit/retainer = Its not a booking.

I aren't quite sure how you can consider it a booking if you don't have a contract or retainer but the fact that you have neither is probably contributing to how the wedding planner is treating you. I reckon.

[OdiN1701]

Please Quit! This sounds like one of those scams where they contact you and want you to transfer money. You have no commitment and no contract ditch them. Never work without a contract unless you are starting out and building a portfolio for yourself and you are using the images for your website.

No. Never work without a contract period. Ever. Whether you're new or not.

[cdifoto]

The planner contacted me with this soap opera tragedy about the couple so she has all the responsibility to get things taken care of for the couple sense the couple isn't capable of handling any further stress.

And when I say I know nothing it also means I have nothing....not even a signed contract.

If the couple can't handle communicating with their photographer to even sign a contract, the photographer can't handle shooting the wedding. It's that simple.

Calling today.
Don't bother unless you mean you're calling the couple.

[Teachflute]

I agree that this could possibly be a scam. I would be very wary of this whole situation if I were you. If it were me, I would call the planner and tell her that without a contract with the COUPLE and a retainer, you will not do the wedding. If you get info about the couple, I would explain to them that the planner has not been responsive and you will be dealing with them from now on.

I have done several weddings with couples who live out of state and have never had a problem contacting them via mail, e-mail or phone. The planners excuse that the couple is from out of state so all contact needs to go through her doesn't hold much water in my book.

[Peacefield]

I agree that this could possibly be a scam.


I have done several weddings with couples who live out of state and have never had a problem contacting them via mail, e-mail or phone.

I will echo both of these statements. I'm in NJ and shot for a couple coming in from OH a few weeks ago. In two weeks, I'm shooting for another couple coming up from DC. Both of these couples were regularly in touch with me about plans and logistics the entire time. I mean, can you imagine being the couple and not even knowing who your photographer is let alone not speaking to them? Something is clearly wrong.

[Mrsjperry]

Hey guys thanks so much for your advice...

Attempted to reach the "planner" went straight to VM. Did leave message.

Doubt I'll get a call back anytime soon.

Basically, no contract.... no deposit....no obligation.....no wedding.

Any updates I'll keep you posted.

Thanks once again

;)

[AngelaDuncanPhotography]

Hope all goes well. Sucks to loose the extra cash - but also sucks to get scammed or to be this stressed...