Bride Cancels Wedding, Wants Depsoit Back

So the shoot didn't actually go to plan and that was before it started raining. I'm starting to see a possible reason why the B&G may not be happy.

So a straight up question. Do you believe the images you produced (both quantity and quality) match what you expected when you planned the shoot? making the best of a bad shoot isn't the same as making the best images you can.

Is three weeks normal delivery time for engagement photos? I don't shoot weddings so I don't know. It seems that this is a part of the problem for the bride, in addition to the lack of and perceived quality of the finished photos.

It does seem to be a toxic relationship that only promises to get worse.

Toxic seems fair at this point I suppose.

But do I credit back her deposit that she's asking for, based on bad chemistry?

So do I understand this right, she wants to withdrawl the contract all together for you to shoot the wedding and find another photographer?

You delievered 13 images...how many did you shoot total? I only ask because of a previous comment that mentioned that she probably head your shutter cliking away and was expecting a lot more images. I've run into that while chasing a kid around for some candids. The kids mom heard me firing away for a lttle under an hour and in the end I gave her something like 35 images to choose from. Her first response was, "That's it? I could of sworn you took more that 35 pictures." Of course I had to explain that there were doubles, some missed focus since her son was running around, and some that were just flat out not good.

I'd tend to agree that even though they're unhappy with your work the fact that she wants you to shoot the bridal shower is strange. Maybe they want to "give you another chance"?

rivas8409 wrote in post #16027493
So do I understand this right, she wants to withdrawl the contract all together for you to shoot the wedding and find another photographer?

You delievered 13 images...how many did you shoot total? I only ask because of a previous comment that mentioned that she probably head your shutter cliking away and was expecting a lot more images. I've run into that while chasing a kid around for some candids. The kids mom heard me firing away for a lttle under an hour and in the end I gave her something like 35 images to choose from. Her first response was, "That's it? I could of sworn you took more that 35 pictures." Of course I had to explain that there were doubles, some missed focus since her son was running around, and some that were just flat out not good.

I'd tend to agree that even though they're unhappy with your work the fact that she wants you to shoot the bridal shower is strange. Maybe they want to "give you another chance"?

Yes, at this point she wants to choose another photographer. She is asking that I either refund them their non-refundable deposit... OR...shoot their bridal shower.

Or a combination of a refund + bridal shower.
At this point I am inclined to just shoot the bridal shower + walk away. I've already spent a large number of hours on her wedding package thus far, so I would have to deduct all of that from the deposit I suppose.

Return it or cough up the money. Why ask for advice on what to do when it boils down to you don't have the money to refund in the first place?

I understand the issue... If it were me, I would give them the particle refund to just get rid of them. In other words I'd choose #1... "1. Walk away, return half of their non-refundable deposit." this..!.

IMO it would be worth it to be done. I would not want to have any further discussion with her. She has given you her reasons but I don't think you're dealing with a reasonable person (and this I base on all her manic behavior you described prior to you delivering the images) so you really won't gain anything by engaging in any more back & forth.

One more little bit of advice... before you respond take a few hours... clear your head. Go for a walk... you want to be calm and cool when you respond.

If she decides to give you a bad review somewhere, there really is nothing you can do about it. Regardless of the outcome, she may do it anyway... your best defense is all the good reviews and happy customers you already have. Take the high road, never respond online directly to negative reviews...it only gets messy.

Cuechick wrote in post #16027509
I understand the issue... If it were me, I would give them the particle refund to just get rid of them. In other words I'd choose #1... "1. Walk away, return half of their non-refundable deposit." this..!.

IMO it would be worth it to be done. I would not want to have any further discussion with her. She has given you her reasons but I don't think you're dealing with a reasonable person (and this I base on all her manic behavior you described prior to you delivering the images) so you really won't gain anything by engaging in any more back & forth.

Yeah, you can't argue with someone who's being unreasonable, this is true.

Alright, it's settled. I'll get the deposit back together + refund her and move on with my life

Do you not get enough weddings that you're concerned about booking another one for their date ? If you know you're probably going to book that date, why does it seem reasonable to keep the retainer ? Apologies if I've missed the answer in the thread.

Cuechick wrote in post #16027532
One more little bit of advice... before you respond take a few hours... clear your head. Go for a walk... you want to be calm and cool when you respond.

If she decides to give you a bad review somewhere, there really is nothing you can do about it. Regardless of the outcome, she may do it anyway... your best defense is all the good reviews and happy customers you already have. Take the high road, never respond online directly to negative reviews...it only gets messy.

Great advice. I've actually been sitting on this for about 24 hours now Lol

I make it clear on my contract - and also in my consultation meeting that they are not paying a "deposit"... it is a "Non-Refundable Reservation Fee". I've had a few people cancel weddings over the past 10 years (every possible reason) but they all clearly understood the arrangement.

My understanding (I'm not a lawyer) is that "deposits" by their very nature are refundable. You can walk into a car dealership today and put a $1000 deposit on a new car. Tomorrow you can walk back in and demand your $1000 back.

Ultimately she selected the wrong photographer. Photography is an art and thus "in the eye of the beholder". I always tell people to look at my blog and judge whether or not they really like what I do - because I have no doubt at all that some people are going to think I'm no good. It seems that this person did not do their homework before hand and they are now realizing they don't like your photography.

At this point you need to be as courteous as possible and follow the letter-of-the-law regarding your contract. You should definitely not be her wedding photographer since there is now bad chemistry (terrible chemistry) and she would just be mad to see you on her wedding day. Every single time you communicate with her at this point you are only making things more difficult for yourself with absolutely no upside (what could you possibly gain from the current fiasco?). You need to exit the situation as quickly as possible. If you had a lawyer help you with your contract ask them what is required. If you have never consulted a contract lawyer before - now may be as good of a time as any.

cwood wrote in post #16027546
I make it clear on my contract - and also in my consultation meeting that they are not paying a "deposit"... it is a "Non-Refundable Reservation Fee". I've had a few people cancel weddings over the past 10 years (every possible reason) but they all clearly understood the arrangement.

My understanding (I'm not a lawyer) is that "deposits" by their very nature are refundable. You can walk into a car dealership today and put a $1000 deposit on a new car. Tomorrow you can walk back in and demand your $1000 back.

Ultimately she selected the wrong photographer. Photography is an art and thus "in the eye of the beholder". I always tell people to look at my blog and judge whether or not they really like what I do - because I have no doubt at all that some people are going to think I'm no good. It seems that this person did not do their homework before hand and they are now realizing they don't like your photography.

At this point you need to be as courteous as possible and follow the letter-of-the-law regarding your contract. You should definitely not be her wedding photographer since there is now bad chemistry (terrible chemistry) and she would just be mad to see you on her wedding day. Every single time you communicate with her at this point you are only making things more difficult for yourself with absolutely no upside (what could you possibly gain from the current fiasco?). You need to exit the situation as quickly as possible. If you had a lawyer help you with your contract ask them what is required. If you have never consulted a contract lawyer before - now may be as good of a time as any.

Excellent, thank you

I would go with option 1

1) 1) Impose the Right of Withdrawal, and offer us a fair type of refund on our deposit. We would not ask for any other engagement photos, the DVD, or the prints that are a part of the package.

Refund her half of the deposit and move on.

if she is unhappy with you and/or your "chemistry", why is she trying to get you to do an extra shoot? (the shower)

or have I speed read this thread wrong?