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Help! My Wedding Photographer Cancelled Last Minute, What Do I Do?
You have been planning your wedding for months, maybe even years. You have booked your dream venue, your perfect dress, your gorgeous flowers, and your amazing wedding photographer. You are counting down the days until you say “I do” to your partner and celebrate with your loved ones. Everything is going according to plan, until you receive a phone call or an email that makes your heart sink. Your wedding photographer has cancelled on you, and your wedding is just around the corner. What do you do?
First of all, don’t panic. I know this is easier said than done, but trust me, panicking will not help you in this situation. Take a deep breath and calm yourself down. You are not alone, and you are not doomed. This is not the end of the world, and this is not the end of your wedding. You can still have a beautiful and memorable wedding, and you can still have stunning photos to cherish for the rest of your life. You just need to act fast, be flexible, and follow some practical steps.
In this blog post, I will guide you through what to do when your wedding photographer cancelled last minute, and how to look for a new photographer without spending more than your initial budget. I will answer some of the most common questions and concerns that you may have, such as:
- Is it possible to find a new wedding photographer at short notice?
- Should you stress out about the quality of your wedding photos?
- Are discounts available for last minute bookings?
- How do you make a choice among the available options?
- What are the best sources and resources to find a new wedding photographer?
- How do you communicate your expectations and preferences to your new wedding photographer?
- How do you deal with the legal and financial aspects of the cancellation and the booking?
By the end of this blog post, you will have a clear and confident plan of action to handle this unexpected and unfortunate situation, and you will be ready to enjoy your wedding day with peace of mind.
But before we dive into the details, let me introduce myself and tell you why I know what I am talking about. My name is Laurine, and I am a Dutch photographer and internationally published journalist, covering weddings and events in Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, and Bristol, as well as in The Netherlands. I work with laid-back people who prefer a more journalistic approach to photography to create truly unique photographs. Choosing a photographer is so personal, it’s a process that takes a long time and you need to have a connection with the person you choose to capture your personalities, your families, and your relationship. You finally chose someone whose work you love, who you connect with personally and who is within your budget. I know how stressful and upsetting it can be when your wedding photographer cancelled at the last minute, and I know how to deal with it. Unfortunately, I have seen it happen many times before. I helped many couples in your situation, and I can help you too.
So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Is it possible to find a new wedding photographer at short notice?
Yes, of course it’s possible, but whether you are successful depends on several factors, such as:
- How short is the notice? Is it a week, a month, or a day before your wedding?
- How popular is your wedding date? Is it a weekend, a weekday, a peak season, or an off-season date?
- How flexible are you with your budget, style, and expectations? Are you willing to compromise or adjust your preferences?
- How lucky are you with the availability and the quality of the wedding photographers in your area?
The good news is that there are always wedding photographers who are available at short notice, for various reasons. Some of them may have had a cancellation themselves, some of them may have a gap in their schedule, some of them may be new or emerging in the industry, and some of them may be willing to take on a last minute booking for a discounted price. The bad news is that finding them can be a challenge, especially if you have a specific budget, style, and expectations. You may have to do some research, contact multiple photographers, compare their prices, packages, and portfolios, and make a quick decision.
Should you stress out about the quality of your wedding photos?
No, you should not stress out when your wedding photographer cancelled! A professional wedding photographer with a decent amount of positive reviews, business insurance, and a good few years under their belt, will ensure their photos are up to industry standard. The most important thing to think about is your priority: your budget, the photographer’s experience, and the type of coverage you want.
If you are on a budget, you may have to compromise on the quality of your images. This can be as subtle as a few badly cropped photos and inconsistent colours, or as bad as missed key moments and a blurry evening reception due to insufficient light. You will need to budget more for someone who is more experienced. And if your priority is something like analog film photography, you will struggle to find someone experienced on a low budget, simply because of the added cost and skill for the photographer.
The key is to find a wedding photographer who matches your definition of quality, and who can capture your wedding day in a way that reflects who you are and what you want.
Are discounts available for last minute bookings?
If your wedding photographer cancels your wedding and you are somehow unable to get your retainer back, or maybe you got lucky with a deal they sold, you might want to find out of discounts are available for last-minute bookings.
It really depends on the wedding photographer, the date, the time, and the package. Personally, I love last-minute bookings because they can fill up the last spaces in my diary.
Generally speaking, wedding photographers are more likely to offer discounts for last minute bookings, because they want to fill their empty slots and make some extra income. However, this is not always the case, and it is not always a guarantee. Some wedding photographers may have a fixed price policy, and they may not be willing to lower their rates, even for last minute bookings. Some wedding photographers may have a high demand, and they may not need to offer discounts, even for last minute bookings. Some wedding photographers may have a minimum requirement, and they may not accept bookings for less than a certain number of hours, even for last minute bookings.
The best way to find out if a wedding photographer offers discounts for last minute bookings is to ask them directly. Be polite, honest, and respectful, and explain your situation and your budget. Don’t be afraid to negotiate, but don’t be rude or pushy. Remember, wedding photography is a service, not a product, and wedding photographers are professionals, not vendors. They deserve to be paid fairly and respectfully for their work and their tim
How do you make a choice among the available options?
You make a choice based on your gut feeling, your intuition, and your trust, and based on a combination of other factors, such as:
- The availability and the responsiveness of the wedding photographer. How quickly and how clearly do they reply to your inquiry and your questions? How easy and how convenient is it to communicate with them?
- The price and the package of the wedding photographer. How much do they charge and what do they include in their package? How does it compare to your initial budget and your expectations?
- The portfolio and the reviews of the wedding photographer. How do you like their style, their quality, and their consistency? How do their previous clients rate and review their work and their service?
- The personality and the rapport of the wedding photographer. How do you feel about them as a person, as a professional, and as a potential partner for your wedding day? How comfortable and how confident are you with them?
The best way to make a choice among the available options is to weigh all of these factors, and to go with the one that feels right for you. Don’t overthink it, don’t second-guess it, and don’t regret it. Trust your instincts, trust your decision, and trust your wedding photographer.
What are the best sources and resources to find a new photographer when your wedding photographer cancelled?
The best sources and resources to find a new wedding photographer are the ones that are reliable, relevant, and reputable. Here are some of the most common and effective sources and resources to find a new wedding photographer:
- Your venue. Your venue may have a list of recommended or preferred wedding photographers who have worked there before, and who know the place well. They may also have a network of contacts and connections with other wedding photographers who may be available at short notice.
- Your friends and family. Your friends and family may have hired or know a wedding photographer who they can vouch for, and who may be available at short notice. They may also have a word of mouth or a referral system with other wedding photographers who may be available at short notice.
- Your social media. Your social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest, may have some wedding photographers who you follow, like, or admire, and who may be available at short notice. You can also use hashtags, keywords, or locations to search for wedding photographers who are relevant and reputable in your area.
- Your online directories. Your online directories, such as Google, Bing, or Yelp, may have some wedding photographers who have a website, a profile, or a listing, and who may be available at short notice. You can also use filters, ratings, or reviews to narrow down your search and find the best wedding photographers for your needs.
- Your online platforms. Your online platforms, such as WeddingWire, The Knot, or Hitched, may have some wedding photographers who have a portfolio, a bio, or a testimonial, and who may be available at short notice. You can also use categories, styles, or prices to sort and compare your options and find the most suitable wedding photographers for your preferences.
These are some of the best sources and resources to find a new wedding photographer at short notice. However, they are not the only ones, and you may find other sources and resources that work better for you. The important thing is to use the sources and resources that are reliable, relevant, and reputable, and that suit your needs, your preferences, and your situation.
How do you communicate your expectations and preferences to your new wedding photographer?
You can communicate your expectations and preferences to your new wedding photographer using a combination of methods, such as:
- A phone call or a video call. A phone call or a video call is the best way to communicate with your new wedding photographer, especially if you have a short notice. You can have a direct and personal conversation with them, and you can hear their voice and see their face. You can also ask and answer questions, clarify doubts, and confirm details. You can also get a sense of their personality, their professionalism, and their rapport.
- An email or a message. An email or a message is a good way to communicate with your new wedding photographer, especially if you have a lot of information to share. You can write and send them a detailed and organised email or message, and you can attach and receive files, such as photos, contracts, or invoices. You can also have a written record of your communication, and you can refer back to it if needed.
- A meeting or a consultation. A meeting or a consultation is a great way to communicate with your new wedding photographer, especially if you have some time before your wedding. You can meet and talk with them in person, and you can see their work and their equipment. You can also build a relationship and a trust with them, and you can feel more comfortable and confident with them.
The best way to communicate your expectations and preferences to your new wedding photographer is to use a combination of these methods, and to do it as clearly, as honestly, and as soon as possible. You should also be open, flexible, and respectful, and you should listen, understand, and appreciate their input and feedback.
How do you deal with the legal and financial aspects of the cancellation and the booking?
When your wedding photographer cancelled, deal with the legal and financial aspects of the cancellation and the booking as professionally, as fairly, and as promptly as possible, using a combination of steps, such as:
- Review your contract with your original wedding photographer. You should have a written and signed contract with your original wedding photographer, that outlines the terms and conditions of your agreement, including the cancellation policy, the refund policy, the deposit policy, and the liability policy. You should review your contract carefully and understand your rights and obligations, as well as your original wedding photographer’s rights and obligations.
- Contact your original wedding photographer and discuss the cancellation. You should contact your original wedding photographer as soon as possible and discuss the cancellation with them. You should be polite, calm, and understanding, and you should try to find out the reason for the cancellation, and the possibility of a rescheduling, a replacement, or a referral. You should also ask for a confirmation and an explanation of the cancellation in writing, and you should request a full or a partial refund of your payment, depending on your contract and your situation.
- Review your contract with your new wedding photographer. You should have a written and signed contract with your new wedding photographer, that outlines the terms and conditions of your agreement, including the booking policy, the payment policy, the delivery policy, and the liability policy. You should review your contract carefully and understand your rights and obligations, as well as your new wedding photographer’s rights and obligations.
- Pay your deposit or your payment to your new wedding photographer. You should pay your deposit or your payment to your new wedding photographer as soon as possible and according to your contract. You should also receive a receipt or a confirmation of your payment, and you should keep a record of your transaction.
Conclusion
I hope this blog post has helped you with what to do when your wedding photographer cancelled last minute, and how to look for a new photographer without spending more than your initial budget. I know this is a stressful and upsetting situation, but I also know that you can overcome it and have a wonderful wedding day. You just need to follow some practical steps, be flexible, and trust yourself.
If you are looking for a new wedding photographer in Gloucestershire, I would love to hear from you and be part of your special day.
Contact me today and let’s chat about your wedding plans. I have some availability for last minute bookings, and I offer discounts and extras for them. I can also provide you with some references and testimonials from my previous clients who booked me at short notice. I can guarantee you that you will not regret choosing me as your wedding photographer, and that you will love your wedding photos.
Thank you for reading this blog post, and I hope to hear from you soon. 😊
Visit my Homepage to start, or visit my Weddings page to get more information about wedding packages!