By Cotswold photographer Angela Fitch
The vast majority of weddings are absolutely beautiful, exactly what the couple hoped for and everyone had a fabulous time. However, a tiny minority don’t go quite to plan and sometimes it’s because the right questions weren’t asked or answered at the outset.
Too often we make decisions based on price alone but just because something is expensive doesn’t mean it’s the best and whilst using cheaper suppliers helps the budget, it’s worth checking that they’re up to the job, after all, this is your special day.
There are so many questions to ask, but here are some broad brushstrokes to get you thinking.
Top of the list has got to be “Are you insured”. Whether that’s the venue, DJ, caterer or any other of the many professionals that make up a wedding day. Ask for a copy of the insurance policy, true professionals won’t mind a bit.
“Do we sign a formal contract?” A Contract or Agreement, as we call them at Angela Fitch Photography, may seem a little over the top, but there have been cases when a service provider has simply failed to show up, or even sold your date to another couple. A Contract, which is signed by the bride, groom and the vendor, will reduce the risk of misunderstandings down the line.
“Is the quoted price fixed at today’s rate or will it increase”. Organising a wedding well in advance is the norm, however, if it’s more than 12-18 months in advance it’s worth checking that the quoted price is good up to the big day. Reputable suppliers will either honour the original quote or make it clear certain aspects eg mileage or VAT may increase. Getting this in writing will help as a reminder when the final account invoice arrives.
“What about a bad weather plan?” No matter what month you choose there is the possibility that the weather won’t behave itself. British weather can range from blisteringly hot summer days to sweeping rainstorms, which can happen at any time of the year! Inclement weather can pull the plug on outdoor ceremonies, hog roasts, bouncy castles and so on. Professional venue staff are the experts, they know how their venue and its grounds can be adapted, so tap into their experience.
“What happens if the timings go awry?” Even the best laid plans face challenges. The most important thing is to continue to enjoy the day. Generally speaking, the time of the ceremony and the time that the meal will be served are pretty well fixed, but factoring in some wriggle room throughout the day should seamlessly allow for most slippage in the timings.
“Do you have a back up if you’re ill on the day?” Every professional wedding vendor will have something in place should they be struck down by a virus or worse on the lead up to your wedding and it’s better to know their contingency plan, which also demonstrates their professionalism.
There are dozens, even hundreds, of questions that could be asked ranging from dietary requirements to payment terms and cancellation policies. Professional vendors will answer with confidence, so don’t be shy, we actually like people who know what they want!
Hi, I’m Angela Fitch, principal photographer at Angela Fitch Photography. Our style is relaxed and natural and that all starts with getting to know you and what your expectations are. We’re fully insured, we supply you with a contract, which commits us to you and you to us, we honour our prices and we have masses of experience in creating beautiful images of lovely people, whether that’s in natural or artificial light. I believe that a wedding day is something to be savoured, not rushed. Our complementary consultations, either in person or virtual, mean that by the time we meet up on the big day it will feel like meeting old friends.
We specialise in Cotswold weddings, but we work all over the UK and sometimes overseas! So, why not pop the kettle on, give us a call and we’ll get to know each other over a cuppa and please feel free to ask as many questions as you want to!
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