Set the date Question

The way i charge Weddings is 25% to set date when we sign the contract , 25% 2 weeks prior, 25% by wedding day and the rest upon delivery.

A Couple walk in see's my pics, ask for quotes and give you a date, now they say they will get back with me in a couple a days to confirm.

The next day a couple walks in but want the same date. The second couple want the date and say that they will pay 1st 25% in a few days.

Do i :
1. Call the first couple and get them to commit ? and refer the second couple or
2. Do i give the date to the second couple ? and call the 1st couple with a referral and sorry

I am planning so this will not happen again is set a small non-refundable fee to set a date when we meet so this will not happen again. But i have not implemented that still. I have not done so cause the fee binds me even if they have not paid for a while.

What would you do ? or How do you do it ?

I would give the first couple a courtesy call explaining the situation. If they aren't ready to commit then and there, give it to the couple ready to make the commitment.

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Might I add that your payment schedule is quite confusing. I couldn't imagine clients being able to keep up with that on their own.

adam8080 wrote in post #10867897
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Might I add that your payment schedule is quite confusing. I couldn't imagine clients being able to keep up with that on their own.

agreed. I think a 50% non refundable retainer to save the date and getting the balance 2 weeks prior is best. You dont want to have the bride to have to worry about paying on her wedding day.

Once I had a client who paid me at the end of her party, I went outside and came back to the party and she was so drunk that she kept trying to pay me again... so yeah, its a lot easier for everyone if you get paid before. I'm sure the catering hall is getting paid well in advance; so should you.

hahahahaaha thanks but it's BY wedding day not ON wedding day hahahahahaha "drunk " to funny .....i must add i live in the Dominican Republic so i have to do it this way to make it easy on the couples so i get more work my way ....... it's a cultural thing to pay in installments.......

I ask for 50% non-refundable retainer to book the date. If another couple asks about the same day, I call the first couple, basically saying "Just so you know, I had an inquiry about your wedding date, would you like to book?"

50% retainer is good, I actually set final payment 30 days prior to wedding day. It clears everyones minds. The only thought I've had to change the final payment was to set it to 'upon delivery' so as to light a fire under me to get them done in a matter of days rather than weeks.

The date is available until a retainer has been paid and a signed contract is returned. The last part is in case two people book on the same date.