A Guide for New Brides To Hiring The Right Wedding Vendors
What happens if my photographer gets sick?
Planning your wedding is an exciting time, but it’s also important to consider what might happen if things don’t go as planned. The question of “what happens if your wedding photographer gets sick” is unlikely but extremely important to all couples planning a day with no do-overs.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some steps you can take in choosing the right vendors to partner with and simple ways to prepare for the unlikely scenario a photographer gets sick and ensure that your wedding day is still captured beautifully.
1. Chose The Right Team:
The first and most important answer to this question starts when you are searching for your photographer, videographer, or DJ services. Choosing a company that has years of experience and a strong reputation will ensure they have experienced something like sickness before. Larger companies have multiple teams and a vast network of talent that can help in an emergency as opposed to smaller companies, new photographers, and part-time photographers that will have fewer options.
- Newer photographers on Instagram are fun and sometimes less expensive but have fewer resources due to their lack of experience.
- Husband and wife teams are great and can sound perfect for weddings but if one gets sick the second might as well. They also tend to carpool more often and family emergencies will affect both of them.
- Out-of-state photographers can also be less expensive options however their backup/associate plan might be hours away from saving the day.
- Single photographers & boutique companies will likely be friends with other photographers in the area who might also be booked if you are getting married in a busy season.
2. Backups, Backups, & Backups:
Make sure this is discussed in your initial consultation. Having a backup plan is a must-have for every wedding vendor and every couple planning for their big day. Selecting vendors that have backups and people on call will save you the hassle and stress of worrying about the what-ifs. In all my years I have seen family illness, accidents, flat tires, and most recently COVID-19 which were all manageable by having backups.
- Choose a company that has paid backups on call every weekend. This may cost a little more money but save you the headache or stress and worrying.
- Consider having a backup photographer on standby, especially for key moments like the ceremony and formal portraits. This could be a friend or family member with photography experience or a professional photographer hired as a backup.
3. Communication is key:
Communicate openly and honestly with your photographer and other vendors. Ask about their contingency plans for emergencies and inquire about their network of fellow photographers who may be able to step in if needed. Here is a link to a few other questions you should ask your vendors
4. Review Your Contract:
Take a close look at your contract with your photographer to understand the terms and conditions regarding cancellations or unforeseen circumstances. Ensure that there is a clause addressing what happens if the photographer is unable to attend your wedding.
5. Check with Your Venue:
Some wedding venues have in-house photographers or partnerships with local photographers who can step in at the last minute. Check with your venue to see if they have any recommendations or options available.
6. Stay Calm and Flexible:
While it’s natural to feel stressed if your photographer gets sick, try to stay calm and flexible. Remember that the most important thing is celebrating your love and commitment to each other, and there are always solutions to unexpected challenges.
7. Consider Photo Alternatives:
If a professional photographer is not available, consider other options for capturing your wedding day, such as using disposable cameras placed on tables for guests to use or setting up a photo booth.
Conclusion: While the thought of your wedding photographer getting sick is unsettling, being prepared and having a plan in place can help alleviate some of the stress. By choosing the right vendors and service providers that have a backup plan in place, you can ensure that your wedding day is still captured beautifully, no matter what unexpected challenges may arise.
Fantasy Flash has a dream team of 8 photographers, 5 videographers, and 4 DJ/MC teams that will all be available to help make sure your day goes smoothly. We have paid backups for each service on call every weekend as a backup plan to alleviate the worries of what happens if my photographer gets sick. We also have over three decades of experience and relationships to call upon in a worst-case scenario.
