What would you do?

Ok, so I don't post here much. I am not a wedding photographer. I prefer children and family pics. But I love looking at the beautiful work on this board.

I was asked a few months back to do a wedding for a "friend" (more like a friend of a friend) I have only talked to him 2 times about the wedding. Once to say he wanted me to do it and another to change the time of the wedding. Oh and I have never met the bride. The groom is suppose to be taking care of things. The last time I talked with him I told him I wanted to meet with them both and go over details. And to call me no less than 2 weeks before the wedding to do so.
My problem is the wedding is Saturday and I have not heard from him. I have no way of contacting him. I have talked to my friend that WAS his friend and they are not speaking anymore. (longer story than mine) I don't really feel it is my place to track him down. And I gave him instruction to call me and he did not.
I'm sorry this is so long. What would you guys do?
Do I just show up Sat? Or forget the whole thing? Or something in between?
Thanks
Jana

You should try and track him down and if you can't than show up on Saturday anyways (assuming you know the location).

You really should get several contact points for people right from the start .. home, work, & cell numbers, e-mail, home addresses, etc.
Mike

Get the money up front.

Hi K20girl!

Welcome. I think you learned a few things about working with friends and money. My first rule is to not work with or for friends--or family---for me it has never worked out. Secondly with weddings unlike other events you are paid up front. So if they want to not talk to you or cancel there is no skin off of your back.

My suggestion to us is that you should not show up. That is unless you have a contract to do so. In my experience it is the bride that makes all of the decisions on wedding arrangements/photograp​her.

If you deal with the bride you typically get things done.

Anyway--- if you are in need of doing a wedding and do not want to let this go you could always put a call into the bride and be direct and let her know the situation. If she wants to use you---I would ask for a retainer fee to hold the date.

Good luck with the bad situation!

oh this is a perfect recipe for disaster, you don't really want to get in all the trouble that is heading your way. Get out of this any way you can.

We have no contract. I do not even know the brides name. I have never talked to her.
Yes I have learned my lesson Friends and Money do not mix. He hasn't paid yet either. That was suppose to be taken care of before the wedding date also.
I will stick with what I know. I have no desire to do weddings. You all that do it are great in my eyes. Not my cup of tea. I was "trying" to do a favor.
I have had to turn down 3 other clients (children's pics) for this weekend too. So I'm not really happy about that.

k20girl wrote in post #4043881
We have no contract. I do not even know the brides name. I have never talked to her.
Yes I have learned my lesson Friends and Money do not mix.
I will stick with what I know. I have no desire to do weddings. You all that do it are great in my eyes. Not my cup of tea. I was "trying" to do a favor.

Understood----one thing I will tell you that people will treat you based on what you charge. It makes no sense but if you charge nothing you will get no respect. But if you charge 10K they will treat you like royalty.............tr​y it it works.

Call and cancel. If you don't get money up front they will not deal with you, talk with you, consider you exist, send you flowers if your in the hospital, you know what I mean. But guess what? They will expect perfection from you and for you to read their minds!