Reserving a wedding date is an area of special importance. It is not something we here at Harbor Country Photography take lightly. We do not want you concerned about whether or not the photographer is going to show up. We can’t afford a scheduling error that could impact you. As a result, we have established a policy that is designed to take care of everybody involved. It seems complicated, but in practice, it is as smooth as silk, and will leave you feeling relieved that everything is under control – well, at least the photography.

Step One – Check for Availability

First things first. Call or e-mail Harbor Country Photography and see if the date you want is available. If it isn’t, we will tell you quickly, and gladly refer you to other photographers that we respect and trust. If it is, we move to step two.

Step Two – Place a Refundable Deposit

We must have a deposit in order to reserve a date. We cannot pencil you in or otherwise hold the date. You can imagine what a mess that would cause if two brides wanted the same date. Our rule is – the first deposit holds the date. We offer a unique means to hold your date and still shop around. It is simple – a refundable deposit of $250.00 holds your date for two weeks. This gives you time to check out the competition, and still get your money back if you choose someone else. If you notify us within two weeks that you are not using Harbor Country Photography, you receive your deposit in full. If you decide that we are the photographers for you, we move to step three.

Step Three – Place a Photographic Services Retainer

OK, you’ve decided on Harbor Country Photography, you have a $250.00 deposit down, the wedding is six months to a year away, now what? Step Three is the payment of a non-refundable Photographic Services Retainer. By this time, you have seen a written estimate, hammered out the details, and have a written contract in front of you waiting for your signature. That contract and the Retainer are what makes it possible for Harbor Country Photography to absolutely guarantee that we will be available for your special day.

The Retainer is equal to one-third of the total contract price, minus your deposit. Effectively, you are paying 1/3 of your photography contract price at the time you reserve the date. Why so much? Because we can’t afford to lose you! When we reserve your date, we give up any possibility of filling that date should you cancel. Since weddings are usually scheduled a year in advance, a replacement wedding is probably impossible for us. So, we use the deposit to give you flexibility, and the retainer to protect both of us.

Step Four – Relax and Enjoy

The hard work done, now you can sit back and relax, secure in the knowledge that Harbor Country Photography will be there for you. There are still two more payment installments, one at ninety days prior to the wedding, and one at thirty days before, but we will handle the invoicing. All you need do is anticipate your special day!