Hello,
I'm a semi-professional photographer and have shot half a dozen Weddings among other things. In summer 2013, I photographed a couple for their engagement. I charged only £50 ($82) and they provided me with travel (I don't drive). They were happy with the photos and asked if I could be their Wedding photographer for 26[SUP]th[/SUP] January 2014. I said I would be delighted and quoted them a price of £150 ($248) I'm aware my prices are low, but I am still developing my photography and my confidence behind the camera.
I went over the details of the Wedding on email a few months after the engagement shoot; I also gave them a link to my portfolio (again). In late December, the lady asked what my return taxi would cost and would be ok if she came to my home on the Friday (24[SUP]th[/SUP]) before the Wedding to drop off the money instead of paying me on the day. I replied and agreed. In January, I asked if they would be happy for my sister to come along and be a second shooter. She is interested in photography and has accompanied me once before. The lady said this is totally fine with them. On 20[SUP]th[/SUP], I went over the details of the Wedding a final time. I didn’t receive a reply. I sent another email yesterday (24[SUP]th)[/SUP] saying I haven’t received a response from her and that it was my understanding that she wanted to deliver payment on this day. Again, no reply.
Today I sent her a couple of text messages asking if she received my email and if she could reply when she has time. I also left her a voicemail. I didn’t receive a reply. After another text with no reply, I texted saying I am not sure what to do and that I don’t want to pay money for a return taxi if the Wedding has been cancelled. She replied immediately with “Wedding is cancelled”. I replied saying it’s none of my business but why is this? And why couldn’t she let me know in advance? I concluded my message by saying I am sorry to hear this and hope she is ok. I didn’t receive a reply.
I then thought since I haven’t texted her since the summer, that she may have changed number and who I am texting is another person, pranking me, pretending to be her. I decided to call the hotel where she is having her reception and ask if it’s been cancelled. The hotel said it’s still going ahead as planned. Confused, I texted the lady and said I’m not sure what’s happened but I’ve just contacted the hotel and they tell me the reception is still going ahead. She immediately replied with “You have no right to do that, that’s cheeky and rude, you don’t know what’s going on so how dare you call the hotel”. I text back explaining that I have her best interests at heart and the last thing I want to do is miss her Wedding due to a prankster falsely telling me the Wedding is not on. I said you’re clearly not happy, I am sorry and that I won’t message you again if that’s what you want.
Was I wrong to contact the hotel? Why didn’t she have the decency to tell me it’s been cancelled or that I am no longer required? Why do I have to message her numerous times for her to tell me this? I am very frustrated and disappointed. My fear was that the person who I was texting was not her, and that she for whatever reason, didn't check her emails and that she was expecting me on her Wedding day tomorrow and I didn't show up due to a prankster. I could get into trouble for ruining her Wedding day.
I'm a semi-professional photographer and have shot half a dozen Weddings among other things. In summer 2013, I photographed a couple for their engagement. I charged only £50 ($82) and they provided me with travel (I don't drive). They were happy with the photos and asked if I could be their Wedding photographer for 26[SUP]th[/SUP] January 2014. I said I would be delighted and quoted them a price of £150 ($248) I'm aware my prices are low, but I am still developing my photography and my confidence behind the camera.
I went over the details of the Wedding on email a few months after the engagement shoot; I also gave them a link to my portfolio (again). In late December, the lady asked what my return taxi would cost and would be ok if she came to my home on the Friday (24[SUP]th[/SUP]) before the Wedding to drop off the money instead of paying me on the day. I replied and agreed. In January, I asked if they would be happy for my sister to come along and be a second shooter. She is interested in photography and has accompanied me once before. The lady said this is totally fine with them. On 20[SUP]th[/SUP], I went over the details of the Wedding a final time. I didn’t receive a reply. I sent another email yesterday (24[SUP]th)[/SUP] saying I haven’t received a response from her and that it was my understanding that she wanted to deliver payment on this day. Again, no reply.
Today I sent her a couple of text messages asking if she received my email and if she could reply when she has time. I also left her a voicemail. I didn’t receive a reply. After another text with no reply, I texted saying I am not sure what to do and that I don’t want to pay money for a return taxi if the Wedding has been cancelled. She replied immediately with “Wedding is cancelled”. I replied saying it’s none of my business but why is this? And why couldn’t she let me know in advance? I concluded my message by saying I am sorry to hear this and hope she is ok. I didn’t receive a reply.
I then thought since I haven’t texted her since the summer, that she may have changed number and who I am texting is another person, pranking me, pretending to be her. I decided to call the hotel where she is having her reception and ask if it’s been cancelled. The hotel said it’s still going ahead as planned. Confused, I texted the lady and said I’m not sure what’s happened but I’ve just contacted the hotel and they tell me the reception is still going ahead. She immediately replied with “You have no right to do that, that’s cheeky and rude, you don’t know what’s going on so how dare you call the hotel”. I text back explaining that I have her best interests at heart and the last thing I want to do is miss her Wedding due to a prankster falsely telling me the Wedding is not on. I said you’re clearly not happy, I am sorry and that I won’t message you again if that’s what you want.
Was I wrong to contact the hotel? Why didn’t she have the decency to tell me it’s been cancelled or that I am no longer required? Why do I have to message her numerous times for her to tell me this? I am very frustrated and disappointed. My fear was that the person who I was texting was not her, and that she for whatever reason, didn't check her emails and that she was expecting me on her Wedding day tomorrow and I didn't show up due to a prankster. I could get into trouble for ruining her Wedding day.
Last edited: