A major player in the WEVA organization has been urging wedding videographers to put into their contracts, items that we at WVDR consider predatory (See -
http://www.weddingvideodoneright.com/articles.php?p=sell_it_in_post )
. They are boasting that they can often get their clients (brides) to end up paying as much as double the amount they originally bargained for!
To avoid being caught by one of these people, look carefully at their contract (which they may call an "agreement"). Among other things, it should specify the number of hours they will work and when they will begin.
Look to see if it also specifies the number of toasts; speeches; performances or any other events that will occur at your wedding. What these individuals are doing is charging exorbitant rates for video of any toasts; speeches; performances; etc. that are in excess of the number stated. In other words, if you want the video they shot of Uncle Harry (as an example) giving a toast in your honor, you may have to pay much, much more money than you'd planned for.
Apparantely, these people have no qualms about holding your precious video hostage for a big ransom - even though it was shot during time you've paid for!
These articles have been published in the major wedding videographer magazine - event DV. Nowhere in those magazines will you see anyone criticizing these underhanded tactics which seem to reflect a growing trend among the WEVA membership to find "creative" ways to increase billing, apparently without regard for its effect upon brides.
We will soon be posting, for free download, a suggested contract form to be used with wedding videographers. You can download this form (we'll announce when it is ready) and demand that your wedding videographer use it instead of his own, or better yet - contact us for referral to a WVDR certified wedding videographer in your area.
