How many of your weddings cancel per year?

jclaveria wrote in post #14143489
You don't have to refund her for retainer at all. You've been kind enough to give her a second chance and not have to pay another retainer.

As for the three weeks before wedding, I think the best way to deal with this is to give enough time to collect the balance, latest should be about 30 days prior to the wedding. Definitely a huge hassle to go to small claims court.

lol, I was responding to the OP; not asking for help for myself!

I'd say about 5% cancel after booking. Along the same lines that about 2% never get back to me about the album proof (I guess that is post wedding separation).

memoriesoftomorrow wrote in post #14149131
Along the same lines that about 2% never get back to me about the album proof (I guess that is post wedding separation).

This is a real PITA for me. I've got a few $1k+ album payments sitting for 1-2 years. I've done all the follow-up that I care to do. I know one couple is still together and I think the other one is, too. I just hate the open expense hanging over me. I no longer do album payments this way, but if I did, I'd write it into my contract that they expire at some point.

Peacefield wrote in post #14149280
This is a real PITA for me. I've got a few $1k+ album payments sitting for 1-2 years. I've done all the follow-up that I care to do. I know one couple is still together and I think the other one is, too. I just hate the open expense hanging over me. I no longer do album payments this way, but if I did, I'd write it into my contract that they expire at some point.

I'm not too fussed to be honest. The packages include an album so if they don't come back to me I'm not too bothered as it is money in the bank for me in the mean time and if they never come back I've made a little extra.

I find about 2-4% of wedding cancel, that's sometimes none per year, sometimes two. Most ask for their retainer back, but except for exceptional circumstances they don't get it. That's why it's called a retainer, not a deposit.

Peacefield wrote in post #14149280
This is a real PITA for me. I've got a few $1k+ album payments sitting for 1-2 years. I've done all the follow-up that I care to do. I know one couple is still together and I think the other one is, too. I just hate the open expense hanging over me. I no longer do album payments this way, but if I did, I'd write it into my contract that they expire at some point.

I have one hanging over my head right now too. I've since put an expiration in the contract.

So far 1 in 25 cancel, but that's those who as for me to send them the paperwork. Occasionally I don't even get that sent back.

Only ever had one cancel on me. Just lucky though.

I shot 45 last year and had 2 cancellation. They lost their deposit and they were OK with that.

never had one cancel but this thread gives me some headaches to contemplate. good luck.

In retrospect, I wish I'd cancelled both of my weddings.

S.Horton wrote in post #14166098
In retrospect, I wish I'd cancelled both of my weddings.

Me too... although the first one got me interested in photography and the second was the reason I ended up staying in Australia... so on second thoughts maybe not.

True. Consequences can be very positive. And I think that's your own personality surviving an earthquake.

S.Horton wrote in post #14166098
In retrospect, I wish I'd cancelled both of my weddings.

i broke one off with a kiwi and it was the best thing that ever happened.
well worth losing those deposits! happily married now : )

as for the OP, I've only had 1 booked wedding cancel. I've only been doing this for a few years though.

PhotoMatte wrote in post #14143165
I had a client who hired me last May, then canceled last September. I kept her retainer, as per my contract. She called me back in November, asking if she could re-hire me and use the existing retainer for a different date. This was a first for me, so I said sure. Just this past January, she canceled again ...and wanted to know if I'd refund her money!
My contract states that any cancellation within 6 months of the wedding date results in complete liability for the entire contracted amount (excluding album credits), and the retainer is always non-refundable (always call it a retainer; never call it a deposit). There was one couple last year who canceled three weeks before their wedding, due to a breakup. I was expecting to have to go to court to collect my remaining balance but they sent me a check right away.

Good lord..!

To the OP -- I can't believe you've had so many, and it's only March. Wishing you (and the love/angry birds) a better rest of 2012!