Strictly business from now on!

I hope the following is a valuable lesson to other brides to be. I had a bit of a disaster with a photographer. Whilst I was pregnant, at home and bored, I started doing my research into suppliers. As I ventured away from the traditional websites and into the world of blogging I began to find suppliers that I might not have seen on a site like Confetti or Hitched (although they are great for other things). I came across a photographer (who shall remain nameless) on a lifestyle blog that I read regularly, who's work was absolutely stunning. His website displayed an array of creatively styled imagery, which blew me away. I was sold from the first glance at his site and blog and I didn't even know the cost! I made contact immediately to request the price structure and find out more. I was pleased to find out that he came from my hometown - coincidence number one. I thought it was nice to have someone from my neck of the woods and it made me think of having my pre-wedding shoot in Birmingham instead of in London, where the wedding will be.

I was 100% sure I wanted him to do my wedding and pre-wedding shoot. Convincing my mum was easy. One look at his website and she was on-board too. Coincidence number two - she realised that she actually knows him. The guy was a friend of the family so we got on the phone ASAP to introduce ourselves. I was ecstatic, he knew who I was now and had pencilled us into his diary for my date. I wasn't able to meet him and discuss details as I was very heavily pregnant with the twins but he assured me that I was noted in his diary and if anyone else expressed any interest in the day he would let me know so I can secure the booking. So I felt pretty sure that he would be my photographer and the date was provisionally 'secure' until I had the twins. As I was going through a lot at the time (see post - Praying for a miracle), coupled with hospital visits once or twice every week, I was exhausted and had not yet switched into wedding planning mode, but I thought at least this was secure - or he would let me know if another couple wanted to book my date.

A number of weeks had passed, the twins had arrived, and I was adjusting to life as a new Mum. I started to think about the wedding more and one of my first actions was to meet with him and pay him so money to formally secure the date. So I tried to get in contact with him to no avail.

I emailed..... no response. Emailed again...... still no response. At this stage I started to worry slightly. A little something in the back of my head was waving a red flag but I just thought he was busy. Anyway, after leaving numerous voicemails, we finally got a response. It must have been over two weeks! His email had my jaw literally on the floor. I was stunned to read that he had booked my day with someone else. He said he hadn't heard from me in a while so he assumed I wasn't interested anymore! Huh??!! I had to read the email a few times for it to actually sink in. What happened to the note in your diary about my interest? What happened to 'I'll let you know' if anyone else is interested in your date first'? Basically, he forgot that he promised to inform me or he didn't put me in his diary as he said or if he did remember, he ignored it and jumped at the chance to get some money in his pocket, rather than honour his word to a family friend. Now, I completely understand that I did not 100% secure the booking with him. But he said he will call me if anyone else expressed an interest. If he had done that, I would have paid the deposit immediately over the phone or internet or got my Mum to meet him. But no - he completely went against what he had told me. I just think that is bad business and completely unprofessional. If you tell a client you will do something, surely you must fulfill your promises.

Anyway, my Mum was livid and was insistent on him cancelling the other booking to honour his agreement with me. She was on the phone to him immediately. But I had made up my mind, I didn't want to work with him anymore. The whole incident left a bad taste in my mouth, so I knew I wouldn't feel 100% comfortable with working with him. On my day, I need to be 100% comfortable and confident in my photographer if they're going to be with me for literally the whole day.

So, I got right back on the internet and went back to my wedding blogs to find another potential candidate. Again, I stumbled across a photographer who's website was very impressive and whose work was equal to, if not better, than the other guys. I wasted no time in calling him ASAP to set up a meeting. Luckily, he was available for our day and his prices were very good. Cheaper than the other guy and included a lot more in the package for the money. The meeting with him and his lovely wife went very well so I placed the booking the next day. Call it fate but I'm glad I didn't go with the first photographer. The new one is very professional, friendly and helpful. He's even helping us out with some recommendations for other suppliers.

The lesson for me and others to take away from this experience is that there are no friends and family when it comes to business! Sad, I know but I must learn to keep things strictly business. I can't rely on people to keep verbal agreements when there is money to be made! He obviously put a cheque before honouring his word and that's fine. I prefer to deal with people who have more integrity.