Most couples read a wedding photography contract for the price and the date, then skim the rest. The clauses below are the ones that actually protect you if something doesn't go to plan.
Delivery dates should be specific, not "a few weeks"
"4–6 weeks, roughly" is not a contractual commitment. Look for an actual number of days with a stated remedy — a discount or refund — if it's missed by a meaningful margin. Ours are written as 7 days for express selects and 4–5 weeks for the full gallery, specifically so there's something to hold us to.
Ask what happens if the lead photographer falls ill
A contract should name a backup, not just promise one exists. If a studio can't tell you who covers your date if their lead is unavailable, that's a real gap, not a formality — ask before you sign, not on the wedding morning.
Understand exactly what you're licensed to do with the photos
Most studios retain copyright but grant a personal-use licence — printing, sharing, social media. Check whether that licence is genuinely perpetual, and whether the studio can use your images in their own marketing without asking first.
Cancellation and rescheduling terms, read before the excitement of booking
Look for a clear tiered structure — how much is refundable at 60 days out versus 15 days out — rather than a blanket "non-refundable" clause with no detail. One free reschedule within a reasonable window is a fair, common standard to expect.
What's explicitly excluded from the quoted price
Travel, accommodation, drone permissions, extra hours beyond the contracted coverage, and album revisions past a set number should all be itemised separately, not buried as "additional charges may apply."
A vague contract isn't a red flag by itself. A studio that gets visibly uncomfortable when you ask to make it specific, is.
See our own terms and conditions for exactly how we structure these clauses.
