Advice on VOG

He offered a refund or the increased location choice - so that's your choice I'm afraid. There isn't really a third option of 'make him stick to £400' I don't think. You're not going to have a massive row over it, and then have him in a sulk on your wedding day now, are you? ? The DVD doesn't cost him anything, so if was just by way of an apology to you for his error, which was polite.

You've already said he's now not charging you his usual full expenses (from £100 down to what?) which sounds REALLY strange. Why bump the price up by £65, and then take money off somewhere else???? Isn't it the 'expenses' that cover the venue location - ie travel costs?

Technically you've got a binding contract but at the same time as Claire said you don't want him to be sulking on the day, not putting in 100% effort and mess you about after.

Also, the VOG really should check locations using Google maps. I always check each new venue if it's not local for exactly that purpose. So I don't end up out of pocket.

How about going back to him and saying that you'll forsake the raw data file DVD (whatever that is!) if he meets you halfway on the increase. So £435 instead of £465. That way you're only paying out an extra £35 which seems fine to me for covering travel/fuel costs and not such a bitter pill to swallow for either of you.

You're right I don't want to have an argument about it but it did strike me as slightly unfair, and like you say I don't really understand the logic around the expenses/DVD. He has reduced his expenses from £100 to £65.

Thanks Martin; I was of the opinion I had a binding contact too, but like you say no point sticking rigidly to it if it's going to backfire on me in the long run! I've just had a look back through our email convo to try and understand what the DVD thing is, and in it he explicitly states that the £400 includes travel costs!!

That's good idea about going back with £435. I think I'll have to clarify the DVD issue though as in our convo the fee included a complimentary DVD but now he's saying he would normally charge for it - I think to make it look as though he's doing me an extra favour...

Maybe I'm a meanie but I think it's his own fault!

Go back to your initial discussions and check that you informed him of the wedding location. If you did then he must take the error on the chin. He has no right to raise the price or charge additional expenses after the contract has been signed. If he forgot to check the location that's his own tough luck!

For example, I just came back from photographing a wedding in St Ives which is 400 miles from my home. When I accepted the booking I assumed it would only be 300 miles maximum, I didn't check. It was loads further than I thought! Silly me, my mistake. Went there and shot it, had a lovely time!

Thanks Paula

We didn't actually discuss the location during our email convo and it didn't come up until I filled in the booking form. Probably a fault on both our parts but the VOG has apologised for the mistake. Because of that I kind of feel inclined to meet him halfway. I've emailed him offering to pay £435 but haven't had a reply yet.

Thanks Paula

We didn't actually discuss the location during our email convo and it didn't come up until I filled in the booking form. Probably a fault on both our parts but the VOG has apologised for the mistake. Because of that I kind of feel inclined to meet him halfway. I've emailed him offering to pay £435 but haven't had a reply yet.

That sounds a fair proposal. I get lots of enquiries that don't state the location so I always ask.

Hi!

I get why you have come on here to ask for peoples oppinions as its a strange one. In a way £65 isnt alot to ask for but then why is he asking for it? You agreed a price and what im more concerned about is whether his price has suddenly risen now due to ur venue. Is it a luxurous and 'flash' kind of venue? I just wonder whether he thinks you can afford more now he knows where u are getting married. I could be reading into it too much. £65 is alot to ask for for travelling expenses so I think your proposal is fair but as others have said you certainly dont want to fall out with him. The raw fotage will cost him nothing especially as it will be uneditted.

If you really like his work though and are happy with the price £465 then its worth paying. Our VOG is costing over 3 times that so hes a very good price x

Hi Stephers

I suppose it is a 'flash' venue but this actually hadn't occurred to me! For what it's worth I do think his issue with the distance/travel is genuine, it was just mildly annoying that the price increased.

I'm happy to report that we have agreed on £435 plus an additional complimentary DVD.

Thanks to everyone for posting.