Wedding photography contract

In any exchange of services it is a good idea to create a contract in order to protect both parties. I’m quite pleased with my A Matter of Wedding Photography Edinburgh contract, I feel it covers all the basics while being easily legible for everyone concerned.
The main things I wanted my list to cover were:

1. Contain complete contact details of bride and groom
2. Contain details of wedding, ie ceremony and reception times and locatons
3. Give a clear idea of what I provide (services and disc).
4. Give a clear idea of how my images can be used (for all non-professional purposes)
5. Record of payment
6. What will happen in the case of problems
7. Timescales of payments
8. What happens on cancellation

Below is the content from my contract:

This contract for wedding photography is effective and binding from the date it is signed by both of the parties and subject to Terms and Conditions.
The Parties are hereby known as: Fiona Matters (referred to as “Photographer”)
And: (referred to as “Clients”)
Date of wedding:
Location and address of ceremony:

Time:
Numbers attending :
Location and address of reception:
Time:
Bride’s name:
Bride’s email:
Bride’s mobile no:
Bride’s home telephone no:
Groom’s name:
Groom’s email:
Groom’s mobile no:
Groom’s home telephone no:

Correspondence address:

Ownership rights and responsibilities
Client is allowed to reproduce and copy photographs of the event taken by the Photographer for non-commercial purposes. Photographer and client agree that Photographer owns any and all copy and reproduction rights and client agrees not to reproduce or copy any proof or photograph taken of the event for commercial use.

Payment requirements
To reserve the event date the Photographer requires a deposit of £***. A date will not be considered to be held open without receipt of said payment. Said payment is not refundable for any reason unless Photographer cancels this contract.

The remaining balance of £*** must be received by Photographer no later than 14 working days before the event date (cheques* or paypal) or paid in cash on the day of the wedding.

Cancellation
If Photographer has to cancel this contract any reason (death, injury, sickness etc.) their liability shall be limited to a full refund of all monies paid.

After a period of 14 days from the date of signing this contract, as compensation for loss of income the following charges apply (to the remaining balance given above). 30 days or less – 100%, 31-90 days 60%, 91-120 days 40%, 121 days up 0% (days given are days before the wedding). These must be paid at the time of cancellation otherwise cancellation will not be considered to have been given.

Should said cancellation be a postponement, subject to availability all money paid may be applied to new wedding date.

In the event of the Photographer taking another wedding booking on your cancelled date a full unconditional refund of deposit and monies paid will be made.

Disclaimer
The Photographer will make every effort to provide high quality photographic services including providing redundant equipment. However in the unlikely event that a catastrophic mechanical failure should occur to the Photographer’s equipment or transport and Photographer is unable to provide Client with agreed photography services and/ or products then Photographer’s liability shall be limited to a full refund of all monies paid. Photographer has full Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance. Photographer and Client agree that Photographer is not responsible for any damages, consequential, emotional or otherwise arising out of the performance or non-performance of their duties.

Client agrees that Photographer may use any photograph for publicity purposes. Such publicity and advertising may include publication on Photographer’s website.

Other persons may take photographs at the wedding and reception. However all “formal” or other shots set up by the Photographer will be required to be used solely by the Photographer a short time after Client’s guests are allowed to take pictures of the group poses. This is to ensure the photographs are of a consistently high standard. The Photographer cannot be responsible for unusable shots due to distractions from Client’s guests (i.e. eyes pointing in multiple directions or being closed) and other circumstances beyond the Photographer’s control. If the Client requires posed shots of the couple the Photographer will require some time with Client away from Client’s guests in order to produce more personal pictures. It is the Client’s responsibility to inform their guests of this policy and to ensure they abide by it.

I have read and fully understand the terms of agreement of this contract and realise that this contract becomes effective immediately. I agree that cancellation rates will apply in case of any cancellation by me.

Signed: Date:

To be signed by A Matter of Wedding Photography:
I confirm that I have received a signed copy of the above contract and payment of £*** as deposit.

Signed: Date:

* Note: Cheques should be made payable to Fiona Matters