I like the idea of having the balance due before the wedding for lots of reasons, but I am not sure if it is uncouth.

What do you all do?

Thanks to all for your help!

the VAST MAJORITY require payment in full AT LEAST 2 weeks prior....some 4 weeks, some 6

We require it two weeks before the wedding.

Ditto

30 days before - NOOOOO exceptions!

I know I am in the minority... but I do 1/2 three weeks before the wedding, and 1/2 when they pick up their proofs. They do have an album credit in their package, and if someone failed to pay, or if the check didn't clear, I would pull them from online, and they wouldn't get an album. I have never had a problem though.

30 day before. Give the check time to bounce and get back through channels to your bank, and then they mail it to you. Slow process.

Kari, no offense, but for you and any others that aren't paid beforehand and haven't had a problem...you will. Trust me.

30 days prior to the 1st photoshoot.

All of my package include the engagement and bridal sessions, so whatever shoot comes first full payment is due 30 days prior to that.

1/2 when they book and the final balance 6 weeks before and no one seems to mind at all. I used to do 2 weeks before and had a few people drag their feet until a few days before the wedding. I didn't like the headache so i changed it and it works better. I think that 2 weeks before the wedding the bride and groom and their families are frazzled from all of the wedding plans and they have too much to think about anyway.

i am 60 days prior. no ifs, ands or big buts.

Thanks to all (this forum and you guys are amazing!!!)! You affirmed my gut feelings.

To those of you who do not require the balance before the wedding, what is your reasoning?

I have a $500 deposit with the balance due before I start shooting on the day (they can hand me a check when I get there). I am not worried because I won't deliver their prints/proofs until the check clears the bank.

Timothy - join PPA. Please.

1/2 to book and the other half 14 days before the wedding. If it's more than a year out we will split it into 1/3s, but the total must be paid before the wedding.

We send statements along the way and an invoice for the second payment the month before the wedding and most people pay when they get the invoice.

Hey Trevor,

Any particular reason why? I can't tell if you are just saying I should or it has something to do with my question. Please elaborate : )

We are 25% at signing, remainder 21 days before the event. If they are a little slow, still gives some breathing room.

We require full payment/ final payment 3 weeks prior to event date.

You need to join PPA because they have lawyers who can help you. They will make sure you aren't doing anything wrong. I've got a lot of lawyers in my family who helped me write my contract and I am currently asking PPA to look at it. Why? Because those family members aren't photographers.

It's very common in the wedding industry to collect in advance because after the wedding and the honeymoon, the money gets a bit tighter, and understandably so. My balance is due 30 days before the wedding so that if there is a delay, or a bounced check, or any other problems, there is time to fix things before the wedding.

I also send a reminder invoice a few weeks before the payment is due. Don't rely on clients remembering when all of their payments to various vendors are due. Invoicing them with a payment due date helps keep everything on track.

Is this included in the membership fee, or do they review contracts for an additional cost?

What she said.

Not to mention that they'll save your ass in a number of other ways. The $323/year is a SMALL price to pay for how much the PPA has already helped me, and it's an absolute necessity, in my opinion, for anyone even considering shooting weddings. See Melody's Thread HERE for more on that subject...

I'm in a strange situation ... my British clients pay their retainer and then the balance two weeks prior to the wedding but there is no way in hell I can get my Cypriot clients to pay in advance. They pay their retainer, then half of the remaining balance two weeks before the wedding and the other half on delivery of their album. Yeah, I know that sucks but they refuse point blank to pay in advance without receiving a product or service

$500 retainer with contract, $500 second retainer 6 months prior to wedding date, balance due 30 days before wedding. This spreads out cash flow throughout the year. Also, I send reminder invoices 30 days before a payment is due, and include an addressed stamped return envelope. My payments usually arrive early.

Ron