It feels like every day I’m getting DMs from distressed brides who are well past their big day. They’re typically 9 months or close to a year married, all sharing the same story with me:
“We’ve been waiting months for our wedding photos or video… what do we do?”
I’m absolutely horrified to hear this, and what makes it worse is that every time they contact their supplier, they’re told it’ll be with them soon. It’s appalling to think of couples pre-paying for a vendor’s service, keeping their side of the deal, and then the supplier not keeping theirs.
Now, let’s be clear, this is a minority issue as we are blessed in Ireland with some of the best wedding suppliers in the world. But every now and again, we encounter a few that upset the apple cart.
Let’s get to the root of the problem. What seems to have happened is that, coming out of Covid and when weddings were back on track, most wedding suppliers had the busiest year of their lives in 2022-2023. They handled all the postponed weddings and the pent-up engagements, resulting in a bumper year. Many suppliers I spoke to around that time said, “Never again; it was too much!”
However, since so many suppliers were shooting or filming most days, editing took a backseat, leading to these delays.
We can all accept some level of delay—we’re only human, and the nature of weddings is such that they are generally one-person operations, and we respect the creative process.
However, waiting a whole year for your photos or videos is way beyond acceptable for any couple. How deflating is it to have all those special moments of the day hanging over you? Not good at all.
So, what is the normal editing process, and what can you do?
Before diving in, it’s crucial to review your contract.
Contract, Contract, Contract… this should be your guiding compass. Every contract should indicate a timeline. If it doesn’t, you should get this written in so that both parties are clear on the deliverables. If you don’t have a contract, that is a slight red flag as it leaves you with no evidence.
If you don’t have one, ask for one to be drawn up outlining the timelines and terms and conditions. That keeps both parties on the same page.
In terms of timelines, I asked some very well-respected photographers and videographers, and here’s what they shared with me:
“We deliver photo galleries between 8-12 weeks, depending on how busy the season is.” Bokeh Photography & Film
“Videos usually take longer, but even the busiest videographers aim to get you the final edit within 3 months. Definitely get brides to ask for an indicative timeline as part of a consultation. Late summer brides especially—first week in October would be a print deadline for Christmas delivery of wedding albums!” Nick Cavanagh Photography
The general consensus is that 3 months appears to be the cutoff for most photographers who got in touch with me!
What can you do next?
This is where it gets tricky.
Firstly, you need to go back to the vendor, put your concerns in writing, and ask for an update on when you can expect to receive your pieces.
If that doesn’t work, try phoning.
If you are still not getting anywhere and the time is way beyond an acceptable timeline, you should call Citizens Information, as they are best qualified to advise on whether this could be a case for a small claims dispute.
No one wants to end up in that world of pain, so hopefully, you can get everything tied up in a big bow before needing to go to any extremes. Remember, we’re all human, and there can be delays, but when you are approaching a year… well, that’s the time to start pushing for answers.
Wishing you all the best of luck and hoping no one has to go through this. A big shoutout to the suppliers who continue to strive for excellence and look after their couples so well.
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