Advance Bookings

[candleman]

How far in advance would you not accept bookings?

I was recently asked if I could take a Wedding booking for February 2012 (1 year and 7 months away)

My knee jerk reaction was “let’s talk closer to the time”, primarily because I’ll be charging significantly more for my wedding work by then. Heck, by this December it’s all going up significantly already.
And, the world is ending that year anyway *cough*

So... how far in advance do you not accept bookings... and, why.?
Was I wrong to tell her to get in touch closer to the time and I should have taken her $100 and booked a date?
I think I did the right thing, just curious as to how others would have handled this.

How far is too far..

[Jim Bryant]

Get a 50% deposit. So if they bowl out, then at the last moment you can tell them that you passed up five weddings on the same date to book theirs.

[wsu_danielle]

Brides are notorious for booking things way in advance...and the harder they deem that thing to find, or the more popular that item/person/service is, the more in advance they'll book it for! Frankly, you should be majorly flattered. She probably wants to book you so far in advance because she really likes your work and is afraid you'll be taken if she doesn't!

I'd do a 50% deposit and make sure you have an iron clad cancellation policy. Be sure they sign the contract when you get the deposit!

[bhursey]

I nominally am booked 6 -9 months before the wedding. A year and 7 months is insane... But if they are willing to give you 50% why not just make sure 100% you have that day set aside.

[mad editor]

Even way back in the dark ages when I got married, most of my friends' weddings were booked a good two years in advance. Of course part of the reason was that there are a zillion of us baby boomers and that we lived in NY at the time. But even among my sons' friends, weddings are being planned with more than a year to spare - and that includes the photographer.

[BigVinnie]

My cousin does high end wedding cakes. She is always booked at least a year in advance. I think she already has some 2012 bookings for some 50th anniversary cakes.

[candleman]

hmmm..

OK, thanks very much everyone..
i'll see if she can do a 50% deposit.

BUT.... i'm putting prices up by 30-40% in the coming few months, I was working on them yesterday actually.
So, do i sell her on the prices in my new packages... or stick to the old prices which are very very low.

Something i was thinking, was to only take a booking on the larger two packages which have a bit more fat. Those two larger packages arent going to be changing.


opinions?

[Jim Bryant]

Tell her if she pays the 50% down, and signs the contract, you give then to her at the present price.

[Jim Poor]

Has she seen the current pricing?

Originally Posted by candleman

hmmm..

OK, thanks very much everyone..
i'll see if she can do a 50% deposit.

BUT.... i'm putting prices up by 30-40% in the coming few months, I was working on them yesterday actually.
So, do i sell her on the prices in my new packages... or stick to the old prices which are very very low.

Something i was thinking, was to only take a booking on the larger two packages which have a bit more fat. Those two larger packages arent going to be changing.


opinions?

[candleman]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

Has she seen the current pricing?

i guess so.. she hasnt indicated which package she wants, but she's very enthusiastic about my product. So i'm sure she's looked through my website thoroughly.

she's a former portrait client

i've gone the next step and said i'll take the booking, but only for a specific date. (duh) and i must have the $100 non refundable booking fee paid to confirm the date.
I also said i'm changing the pricing next month, but the two larger packages arent changing in price ...... hopefully that works to "up sell" her.