I usually charge for trials for anyone who requests that. I was wondering if you also take deposit on the trial day? And maybe how much do you take for a deposit? I do not like giving free trials because of some previous experiences with few clients.
My policy is 50% retainer of the final balance to book me. If they don't book me the day of the trial I usually give them 3 days and after that their date goes up for grabs for the next bride.
That means I should clarify this with the client before hand instead of going back and forth. Because many just play the back an forth game and I want to be respected for my time and effort
Nadine, yes!! Let them know, if they don't book, they're date goes up for the next bride.
When they inquire about a date, never let them know you are fully open. Because then they feel they can drag their feet with booking and doing a trail. Sound busy. "Yes, I do believe we have a time open. What time is your wedding? Ahh, let me see.. Yes!! We are available for that time slot to do your wedding!!!"
Funny Nicol. Yes right now I have a bride whose wedding is in December she has been dragging me for her trial forever and December is right around the corner. It's annoying. I went out of my way to meet with a client 35 mins away from me and she ended up saying she does not know and not sure. So in general waste of my time. Of course no pay for face to face meeting.
I take a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the final balance. The final is due 14 days before the event. A trial is mandatory and I charge for it. If they are doing the trial but haven't booked the event yet, I don't take a deposit for the trial. I don't do them on Friday/Saturday/Sunday and I never rarely have them cancel or reshedule. If they did, I just wouldnt work with them. Be clear that your time and experience is valuable.
You should charge for a trial. I discuss all the bridal rates (day of, assistant fee & trial) before the trial. However, for me trials are optional - I stress the importance of them but it's up to the bride. I have had plenty of last minute brides call right before the wedding and we don't have a chance to schedule one.
I have to say Kudos to all of the ladies here for doing bridal work. I did weddings for a few months, and I just do not have the temperament to deal with brides and their bridal parties. That being said, here's my 2 cents:
When I did weddings, I always charged a test fee of $100 if I traveled to the Bride's location, and $75 if the Bride came to my location. If they decided to hire me, I would apply the test fee as a credit against my fee for services rendered.
Sometimes it takes the Bride a day two to decide if they want to hire you, so on the day of the test I just charge my test fee; however, if they want to hire me the same day, I charged 50% of my final fee as a deposit. The remaining balance had to be paid in full 10 days prior to the event.
When it comes to your fee, remember this: Your time, skill set and product are worth money. Don't let any client try to undercut your rate. Stay firm, yet polite. The Bridal Industry is vast, and a lot more lucrative then some of the other avenues available in the industry. They need us, and we should be fairly compensated for our time and talent.
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Nov 25, 2012
Nadine S.
I usually charge for trials for anyone who requests that. I was wondering if you also take deposit on the trial day? And maybe how much do you take for a deposit? I do not like giving free trials because of some previous experiences with few clients.
Nov 25, 2012
Nicol D.
I do charge for trials.
My policy is 50% retainer of the final balance to book me. If they don't book me the day of the trial I usually give them 3 days and after that their date goes up for grabs for the next bride.
Nov 25, 2012
Nadine S.
That means I should clarify this with the client before hand instead of going back and forth. Because many just play the back an forth game and I want to be respected for my time and effort
Nov 25, 2012
Liza C.
yes, I usually let them know everything expected up front so there are no surprises.
Nov 26, 2012
Nicol D.
Nadine, yes!! Let them know, if they don't book, they're date goes up for the next bride.
When they inquire about a date, never let them know you are fully open. Because then they feel they can drag their feet with booking and doing a trail. Sound busy. "Yes, I do believe we have a time open. What time is your wedding? Ahh, let me see.. Yes!! We are available for that time slot to do your wedding!!!"
lol
Nov 27, 2012
Nadine S.
Funny Nicol. Yes right now I have a bride whose wedding is in December she has been dragging me for her trial forever and December is right around the corner. It's annoying. I went out of my way to meet with a client 35 mins away from me and she ended up saying she does not know and not sure. So in general waste of my time. Of course no pay for face to face meeting.
Jan 07, 2013
Emily H.
I take a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the final balance. The final is due 14 days before the event. A trial is mandatory and I charge for it. If they are doing the trial but haven't booked the event yet, I don't take a deposit for the trial. I don't do them on Friday/Saturday/Sunday and I never rarely have them cancel or reshedule. If they did, I just wouldnt work with them. Be clear that your time and experience is valuable.
Jan 08, 2013
Tanya R.
You should charge for a trial. I discuss all the bridal rates (day of, assistant fee & trial) before the trial. However, for me trials are optional - I stress the importance of them but it's up to the bride. I have had plenty of last minute brides call right before the wedding and we don't have a chance to schedule one.
Jan 08, 2013
Jacqueline H.
I have to say Kudos to all of the ladies here for doing bridal work. I did weddings for a few months, and I just do not have the temperament to deal with brides and their bridal parties. That being said, here's my 2 cents:
When I did weddings, I always charged a test fee of $100 if I traveled to the Bride's location, and $75 if the Bride came to my location. If they decided to hire me, I would apply the test fee as a credit against my fee for services rendered.
Sometimes it takes the Bride a day two to decide if they want to hire you, so on the day of the test I just charge my test fee; however, if they want to hire me the same day, I charged 50% of my final fee as a deposit. The remaining balance had to be paid in full 10 days prior to the event.
When it comes to your fee, remember this: Your time, skill set and product are worth money. Don't let any client try to undercut your rate. Stay firm, yet polite. The Bridal Industry is vast, and a lot more lucrative then some of the other avenues available in the industry. They need us, and we should be fairly compensated for our time and talent.