Wedding Contract- first one, help!

[TCUphoto]

I just booked my first wedding. Any suggestions on what to include in the contract other than the basics?

Thanks!

 

[orljustin]

Ask your lawyer or review the content in one of the "legal forms for photographers" books.

 

[tirediron]

Isn't this just a little backwards? What do you consider the 'basics'? Your contract should have been ironed out and reviewed by a lawyer before you even took out your business license! There are a ton of on-line forms as well as a number of threads (w/ examples) that have been posted on TPF. You need to ensure that your pricing structure is clear and detailed, your obligations w/ respect to time and requirements and deliverableds are nailed down, usage and licensing are covered, whether or not you want exclusivity, etc. There's lots more...

 

[PerfectShotPhoto]

You can also check Microsoft Office's website for templates. They have many free contract templates for various services that may help.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/

 

[KmH]

Then again, they may not.

Be very wary of onilne, one-size-fits-all, legal documents.

 

[shootermcgavin]

You are a brave sole... I've already turned down couples I did engagement shoots for. I don't know what kind of insurance it is but there has to be something special being a day you can't re-create if something goes wrong damages would be kind of high. I'm surprised there isn't always 2 photographers at every wedding, spending $5,000 on a wedding dress that won't even be capture in a decent picture because you were too cheap to hire 2 photographers doesn't make sense to me. I could be a vegas wedding photographer that's my kind of wedding, 5 minutes and back to the casino!

 

[rach27]

Make sure your payment terms are covered - what deposit is required (if you ask for one) and when is it due?... and when the complete payment should be made, ie... 28 days before wedding day. If the couple orders prints, images on disc, albums - when payment is required for them and how they will be delivered. Copyright Info (especially for delivering high-res images on disc) - does the copyright stay with the photographer and how can they use the images, are they only allowed for sharing purposes, can they be re-produced?

I'm currently working through all our wedding information and from my previous freelance work I have learned how important it is to get these kind of things nailed down to protect yourself and the client.

Not really one for the contract but I happened to read last night that it's a good idea to ask whether there are situations to be aware of, e.g, if 'Uncle Joe' should not be photographed standing next to 'Cousin Bob' because they don't like each other... that sort of thing.

 

[Robin Usagani]

I call it "booked" when the contract is signed. You are not really booked.