I'm trying to figure out how much I should be taking for a reservation fee.

Do you have a set fee? Or is it a percentage of the package that they sign?

If my package is over $3,000 I ask a $1,000 upfront. If it's less than that, I usually ask for $500.

I also ask for the remaining balance to be paid at least 2 weeks before the wedding.

I'm tired of having to ask for money at the end of the reception so I started writing that into the contracts....

My reservation fee is 1/3 of the full price

Oh....and just like Chris I have them pay at least two weeks before their date...but I think I'm giong to change it to a month. I kinda feel weird having to ask close to their date.

My retainer is half the package price, with the balance due a month prior to the wedding. If they book me more than a year or two out, I'll sometimes let them pay me a third.

I take 30%

1/3 here...balance due 10 days prior to the wedding date.

Asking the balance before the date is KEY. I started doing that a few months ago, but I'm still chasing down some money from a wedding I shot 3 weeks ago. (that clause wasn't in her contract).... SUCH A PAIN!

I had the 1/3 down 1/3 4 weeks before and 1/3 on delivery of proofs. Man, did i have NOTHING but Problems. I finally changed it to 1/2 down and 1/2 4 weeks before. MUCH BETTER!
~Alisha

That sounds about right. I take 50% down and the remaining balance 2 weeks before. We photographers should be fully compensated before the wedding in order to completely fulfill our craft and guarantee. If you think about it, all of the other vendors (Baker, Pastor, Florist...) get their money up front, why shouldnt we. Photographers should be top priority when it comes to paying wedding vendors.