Advice for Couples Getting Married
This IS NOT legal advice. I'm not a legally trained person and you take it as you read it. If in ANY doubt seek professional legal advice.
Contracts
Not all contracts are legal. Not all contract terms are fair and therefore legal.
There is a whole section of legislation on unfair contract terms -
This .Gov.UK website gives some unfair terms in sales contracts -
If you don't think it is fair and reasonable it's worth arguing the case and having the clause removed or explained etc. In the extreme get some free/cheap legal advice.
Read the contract carefully before committing. Yes, I know you are always told to do that and in 99.999% of cases, everything will be fine.
Ask the supplier, be it a photographer, venue, video, cake, car, florist, venue dresser, magician, DJ etc to go through the contract and explain it and the terms contained within it. (for those who have booked me I'm more than happy to do this and in fact, my website has an explanation of my TCs on it!).
Advice for Couples Getting Married
Ask specific questions on price increases (and follow that up on an email to get written confirmation). Many suppliers have little clauses that basically say "our prices will rise each year in line with inflation" etc. Ask them what measure of inflation - CPI or RPI. They are different levels and therefore could cost you money.
This explanation makes it harder for you to challenge after the event...but also makes sure you know exactly what you are getting for your money.
York Wedding Photographer 048
Advice for Couples Getting Married - Booking fees / Deposits.
Generally, these will be non-refundable after the standard 14 days cooling-off period as consumer legislation indicates.
You may be asked to cover extra costs if you change dates, change the booking details, etc.
If the supplier cancels (and I'm sick of seeing this happening on here) then the supplier should refund all or part of the booking fee/deposit depending on what work has been carried out to service the contract.
Honestly, if the supplier cancels and refuses to refund (in full or part) you can tell your version of events, and name them, quite legally without being accused of defamation; just tell the objective truth. Then seek redress via the Small Claims Court; advice from Citizens Advice is here.
Advice for Couples Getting Married York Wedding Photographer 055
e.g.
Photographer takes £300 booking fee and then cancels 12 months later for a wedding in another 12 months.
a. The photographer HASN'T done the pre-wedding shoot/engagement shoot included in the contract, IMHO the photographer should refund in full. It's the right and ethical thing to do and probably the legal thing as well. Don't be put off by "non-refundable" if part of the contract hasn't been carried out.
b. The photographer HAS done the pre-wedding / engagement shoot included then the cost of this could be removed from the booking fee/ deposit as it's work carried on on the contract.
Too many suppliers seem to think cancelling and walking away because of "non-refundable" in the contract is legal. It's not.
Generally, if part of the contract has been serviced then you get a reduced refund. Cake tasting for instance. Mockup of flowers. Spent time with a DJ doing a mash-up. All these would count towards partly servicing the contract.
This link is a very good example of the CMA advice broken down.
Yes, it's Covid specific in areas, but that legislation was based on existing legislation anyway so I'd expect it to still stand.
