Shortest time from booking to wedding...

I once met a couple 3 days before their wedding, and I thought that was nuts...

Was contacted by a venue's manager a couple of hours ago, asking if I were available for a wedding tomorrow... and then he asked me to come right over to meet a couple in dire needs...

Venue is literally across the street from my place, so I headed over... met with the couple and their parents... the photog hasn't been heard from, he was supposed to be there for the rehearsal tonight, and hadn't responded to any emails all week... calls are going unanswered, so they were panicking...

Luckily, they had brought their contract, so I was able to take a look, and couldn't find anything that gives this guy an out - final payment due at rehearsal, and he's not there to pick it up... I didn't recognize the name, but a web search shows that he's local but doesn't have much of a history...

I had to make them look at samples on my iPad... A bit disappointed that I'm selected because I'm present with a pulse, and not for style or something like that... but they were more concerned with signing my contract and handing over the payment than looking at anything I may have to show...

Guest attendance just a touch under 200... wedding party is an even dozen... ceremony & reception are both in same location... bride and groom are getting ready 2 floors apart... batteries are charging and bag is set to go...

Oh wow!!! Those poor people. At least they had a contract! Did you happen to notice if they paid a lot for their deposit? In Canada, what would one do in this situation to get their money back? (Just curious!)

I once had a wedding cancel on me about 4 days before the wedding and the bride told me to keep the deposit (the fiance had paid it and then run off with another woman... she didn't want him to get his money back and didn't want his money in her pocket). Anyway, I posted on my FB that I was passing on the savings to anyone in need of a last minute photographer and someone actually took me up on it the day before the date! And it wasn't a cheap-y wedding, either. It was at a very ritzy country club and they had some well known vendors... they just *forgot* to hire a photographer. Not even kidding. They were crazy, though. Tons of fun but absolutely off their knockers.

They paid $500 for a deposit, and $1300 still owing... Not sure what, if anything, they can or will do... The contract with the other guy has language in case the photog is unable to perform, and as of now, no idea if this a case of him forgetting, not wanting to do it, or stuck in a hospital...

They are getting married here tomorrow. And then off to England where they do it again next weekend...

I've been booked a couple of days before a wedding when i'm covering for photographers who get sick, and a few weeks out buy a B&G. The day before's pretty crazy!

What do you do if that other photographer shows up on the day? I'd give him a quick heads up then refer him to the bride.

With less than a day to go, its easy to believe they aren't worried about looking at your work. Congrats on the weekend job!

tim wrote in post #13822393
What do you do if that other photographer shows up on the day? I'd give him a quick heads up then refer him to the bride.

Thats the question going through my mind.

Interesting story. Let us know how it turns out..

I was called on New Years Day around lunchtime for a wedding at 6 that evening because the hired photographer's flight had been delayed. Was a great way to start the new year!

Things rolled out like most typical weddings...
And weather was gorgeous! Above freezing, and no snow... For February in Canada, it was amazing...

Food was pretty good, everyone was friendly.... One of the moms even thanked me a few times for being available in their time of need...

The other photog was briefly talked about early yesterday, but then never heard anything else, I assume he never showed up to find out he lost out...

Oh yeah... Was also light on gear... Sold my 17-40 and the 16-35 isn't due for delivery until Monday... 24-70 is at CPS...
I used mostly the 35L for the wide stuff - I did borrow a friend's 24-105, barely used it, but was glad to have it...

Glad it went well! Sounds like a beautiful wedding.

Yesterday was beautiful!!

I don't want to start pointing fingers, but I am interested to know who the no-show photographer was. Mostly because I am from the area and would like to know for future reference's sake.

Jill-of-all-Trades wrote in post #13830366
Yesterday was beautiful!!

I don't want to start pointing fingers, but I am interested to know who the no-show photographer was. Mostly because I am from the area and would like to know for future reference's sake.

I'm going to hold off on that info...
I had never heard of him before, no idea if he's just starting out, but his site indicates some experience based on the number of weddings and engagement he's showing...
I don't know why he was a no-show or why no one has been able to get a hold of him for a week prior to the wedding... maybe it's a very legit reason, or maybe he sucks at keeping his calendar... I also don't know if everything the bride and relatives told me is true... no reason not to believe them, but I don't know anything about history between him and them, etc...

and he is very local to me... I don't want to say something negative about someone local to me, could come back to bite me...

Maybe just a courtesy call and let him know that the B&G were taken care of.