How to cancel our wedding photographers?

In August 2007, my fiance and I booked 'in-demand' photographers for our September 2008 wedding. In February, I let them know we may have to cancel b/c of finances (I lost my job). At the time, they seemed okay with the idea. Well, a week later, I emailed them to ask if we cancelled could we use the deposit towards the engagement sitting that we booked and they got mad and said that we were screwing them b/c they had turned a lot of people down for our date and probably wouldn't be able to rebook it. Anyway, we started pulling some strings and thought we may still be able to have the wedding so we let them know it was still going to happen. Right after, the venue's coordinator changed and started to overcharge us. Now we definitely have to cancel and we don't know how. We paid for our engagement sitting and we don't want to get screwed b/c of they're being mad that we had to cancel. When and how should we let them know? Should we wait until the sitting (May) or do it ASAP?

Plus, we've already paid them half of what they would have made which is like $2,000. So it's not like they didn't make a profit. We're dealing with cancelling our wedding and losing a lot of money.

Also, if we cancel now, we were hoping we could use some of the money towards the sitting, do you think we could do that?

you should contact the photographer. they have all the answers you need.

First....did you get a contract? If so it should state in the contract what happens to your deposit if you cancel. Most Photographers will not give a deposit back cause as they said they may have had to turn away work for your wedding date. I am a wedding photographer in Baltimore and I would not give the deposit back for that same reason. I think at this point you should wait till closer to the wedding, if they will not give the deposit back even now, and see if you can afford the cost. Unless you have to pay more out of pocket money I would wait till I know for sure about being able to pay, if they are not willing to give you the deposit back now, then it wont hurt you to wait till the last moment to cancel.

I can also understand why they got mad about you asking about using the deposit for the sitting, this would be the same as if they gave back the deposit and then you paid for the sitting. If in your contract it says the deposit is non refundable, then your screwed out of you deposit, that is the gamble you take when you sign a contract...sorry

Avis is right, read your contract before you do anything else. If you did not sign one, you can probably kiss your money bye-bye.
The photgrapher will probably insist on following the contract, especially if it is to his advantage to do so. Weigh out your options, how much will it cost you to cancel just after the engagement sitting, will it pay you to go ahead and have that, or will you then have to pay for the whole wedding pictures. Again, read the contract.
And by the way, by wishy washing back and forth, you have already made them mad, good luck with the sitting, hope they still do a good job for you.

YOU need to read your contract again, and then have one of your parents read the contract so you all understand what may or may not happen if you cancel.

Contracts are written to protect the Bride and Groom AND to protect the vendor or service provider. When you cancel your wedding shortly before the scheduled date then you are putting yourself in financial jeopardy because YOU will lose some money (non-refundable deposits).

After you and one of your parents read your photography contract CALL the photographer and make an appointment to have a meeting with this person. YOU need to know what your options are so you can make an intelligent decision about cancelling your wedding or postponing it to another date. And above all else, be truthful and straightforward wih this vendor. Misleading a vendor or playing games with a service provider will only create a bigger problem.

Answered by: A Certified wedding specialist / A Professional bridal consultant / A Wedding ceremony officiant

Firstly, I would reccomend that you move the sitting forward. When you go in for the sitting have the photos taken and at the end of the sitting organise the delivery date of the photos and get something signed (by the photographer and yourself) It is up to you if you want to pay the amount you owe them now or upon receipt of the photos. By taking your photos they have confirmed (entered into contract) with you that they now owe you these photos and your are legally entitled to them.

What I reccomend next maybe hard but is worthwhile. Ask to speak with the manager or owner (after your engagement photos) and explain the situation to them. If you have given them plenty of notice this should not be a problem. If they are so in demand then why would they have a problem filling 1 day??? Be very clear and show them how must angst this is causing you. If necessary offer to pay a SMALL fee to cover the booking and lost bookings but this shouldn't be much. They should be happy that they are still getting the money from the engagement photos.

Number 1: Be really strong. Recently a dressmaker refused to refund money on Bridesmaid dresses I had ordered because she didn't think I was entitled to it. But she had made the dresses, 1. too big, 2. with cheap material, 3. nothing like the design we discussed or photo she showed me. It was only after my fiancee (who is a very clever lawyer) wrote her a letter that she paid back the deposit. So my advice be strong and clear and make sure to remind them of their legal obligations.

ps check out in your contract that you may have signed what it says about termination. If you haven't signed a contract then I don't think you are obligated to keep the booking and you should be able to get out of it easy enough