A bride to be has given me to dates for wedding!? Need some help on this one.

I have a bride to be who is really indecisive and has given me two "potential" dates for her wedding that I'm suppose to be shooting 7 months from now. This was 2 weeks ago, and she has been pretty communicative with me since then.

Now here is the problem, I just got a call from a new bride to be that wants to book me for one of the dates the first bride has me "potentially" for. So do I take the new job that has 100% date confirmation and chance the other wedding will fall on the other date? Or do I not take the new work?

What would you do in this situation. This has not happened with me before.

Thanks!

I'd let the other bride know first, then book the new date.

Matthew

You should not be expected to lose money or work because of some client's uncertainty.

Contact the first bride to be and explain to her that you have a new client on one of the dates she's hired you for. Ask that she make up her mind about the date now - or pay you your potential losses if she expects you to keep two dates open.

Maybe, with planning and sceduling, you can do both jobs, either way?


PS:
I worked at a law firm, when a lady rang and (obviousely thought she'd dialed another number) asked what the fee for wedding photos was. "Oh, we charge lawyer's fees here!" I said. She hung up on me. DS

That is what I'm hoping for... to be able to do both jobs with out losing business. But the dates aren't up to me. So crossing fingers at this point.

I would contact the 1st bride and explain to her that she needs to book with deposit for one of the dates due to the fact that you already have a 2nd birde willing to book and contract with you on one of her dates. Business is business. You do not want to loose revenue!

I agree with the others, tell the first bride you have someone else that wants one of the dates and make her choose. Good luck if you do both. They take so much of your time, the last one I did was 6 hrs. From start of bride getting ready to the end of the wedding. But you know this already.

My policy is that all dates are available until a contract has been signed and retainer paid. Contracts must have the wedding date before I'll sign. I tell brides who inquire about a date that I'd be glad to call them if anyone else inquires about the same date within the next few weeks. If they still want me to contact them after that they need to call or email me and tell me they are still interested in hiring me. I make it clear that I will assume they decided to hire someone else if they don't keep reminding me.

When I call the first bride and tell them about the inquiry they have a limited time to sign a contract and put down the retainer (about a day usually). After that whoever signs first gets the date. I wish I could work for everyone who wanted to hire me, but there are only so many Saturdays in a year.

You guys have made my decision much easier, I sent a email to both identifying that I have 2 brides and just one of me, that I would love to work with both, however just to be fair... who ever gets me a deposit and contract first will get my services that day.

Thanks again everyone.

Richard K Photography wrote: You guys have made my decision much easier, I sent a email to both identifying that I have 2 brides and just one of me, that I would love to work with both, however just to be fair... who ever gets me a deposit and contract first will get my services that day.

Thanks again everyone.

Yeah, they are probably both contacting other photographers right now. You should take the first confirming job, take a deposit and reserve the date.

effron wrote:

Richard K Photography wrote: You guys have made my decision much easier, I sent a email to both identifying that I have 2 brides and just one of me, that I would love to work with both, however just to be fair... who ever gets me a deposit and contract first will get my services that day.

Thanks again everyone.

Yeah, they are probably both contacting other photographers right now. You should take the first confirming job, take a deposit and reserve the date.

I agree with Effron, you should have booked the definate date, then told the bride with two dates that you are only available for one of the dates and if she chooses that date you would be happy to book her, never hang around with bookings.

Why email both of them when you could call the first bride and get an answer then call the second bride
to let her know the outcome.It`s the personal touch that will put you in front of other photographers
in your area.I would call them now.

I should have clarified guys. I had left both message's to call me yesterday. I sent the emails as a follow up.

Update - The first bride confirmed the wedding on the "off" date! She emailed me at nearly midnight last night with scanned copy of my contract and her billing information for the deposit.

I will be following up with the 2nd bride shortly.

Congrats. Sounds like the pieces are all falling in place.

MLKstudios wrote: Congrats. Sounds like the pieces are all falling in place.

Second that!

Richard K Photography wrote: I have a bride to be who is really indecisive and has given me two "potential" dates for her wedding that I'm suppose to be shooting 7 months from now. This was 2 weeks ago, and she has been pretty communicative with me since then.

Now here is the problem, I just got a call from a new bride to be that wants to book me for one of the dates the first bride has me "potentially" for. So do I take the new job that has 100% date confirmation and chance the other wedding will fall on the other date? Or do I not take the new work?

What would you do in this situation. This has not happened with me before.

Thanks!

I book the 2nd bride who has confirm the date. I would tell the first bride, pretty much..."you snooze you loose". She might have booked you, but IMO if there is no confirm ONE date, then it's not a booked shoot.

I would not call the 1st bride and tell her, you have a 2nd bride wanting the other date and that the 1st bride needs to make up her mind. No, don't do that. You are leaving the decision up to the bride. You are the photographer, it's your job. You decide what you want to do. Take the 2nd bride or continue to play games with the 1st bride.