Is having a contract for a wedding a must?

umphotography wrote in post #15325226
Only a fool would photograph a wedding w/o a contract.

Agree 100%.. Even if you did it for free!!

Check out the link below:

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=iT-RHypiuEg

This is what could happen with no contract and you give ALL the images.

Is using a camera (on any type of device) a must for photographing a wedding?

It is a similar question to that... YES. Only a mug would risk shooting one without one.

Is a bride required to shoot a wedding?

Only if you want to get paid.

frugivore wrote in post #15324618
The same applies to putting things down on paper, as in contracts. We don't remember conversations we had hears ago, or even weeks/days ago, very accurately. Putting them down on paper takes the variable of human memory out of the equation. So once you come to an agreement, it's permanent and you can reference it whenever you want.

What he said and...

If you remodel your bathroom, the General Contractor supplies you a proposal/contract. It just spells out what the GC is going to do and for what amount.
My father is a Lawyer, when I started out construction, he wrote me a contract that was bomb proof and long, very professional looking, but unnecessary.
All you need is MS word, put the names of the client, the dates, and what you propose to do and for how much and how you want to be paid. You don't need all the legal mumbo jumbo, its not a finance contract. Signatures aren't required either. If you Email the proposal/contract then thats your proof, in court, that you presented it. Your proof that the client accepted it, is, that they allowed you access to take pictures.

Its a lot more simple than many make it to be.

Everything you need should fit easily on one page.

ScullenCrossBones wrote in post #15326757
Is a bride required to shoot a wedding?

Well, you could have two grooms I suppose.

Yes.