Still haven't received wedding video. Advice? (update)

Uh...i'd be pretty upset too. You pay big bucks for their work.

Hi I'm pretty new to wedding wire but first off congratulations I hope and pray that everything is going well with you and your family. Honestly, I would have to show her in the contract that it specifically says 120 days that you were going to get your video I'm sure you paid good money for her to be your videographer. I would let her know that it has been well over 120 days and if she cannot get the video edited properly in the next week or two she going to have to give you at least half of that money back. A wedding video is something to look back on and cherish how can you do that if seems like you are not going to get it anytime soon. That's just something I would do I understand people go through personal issues but when people are paying their hard earned money for something you have be a bit more professional. I hope everything goes well with the situation though

Thank you for the advice. I am trying reaaaally hard to be patient and understanding of the situation, but 4 months is a lot of time for editing (I think? I'm not a professional but that's my thought). I don't want to be pushy and insensitive, but I was never informed the video may take longer to receive due to whatever reason so I was a little blindsided when I was told it wasn't ready and didn't sound close to being ready.

Four months is a very long to wait I would be extremely worried. I would tell her I need it done this week.

They are barely past 120 days. They *should* abide by the contract and get the finished product to you within the stated time frame, but sometimes shit happens. I'd give it another month before really starting to lean on them.

You paid I'm assuming a lot of money for this. They should have contacted you if he/she needed more time. I understand things happen but if things happen they needs to go out of their way to contact their paying clients. I'm not a videographer but I do other types of custom work and 120 days seems like plenty of time to edit a video together. If he/she a professional they should understand your concern. I'd contact them

Following because I'm in the same boat! We were given an estimate of 2 months from the wedding date. Last time we spoke, our videographer said we would have our video by March, which is super vague. But it's been over 2 months since our wedding now and we are dying to see it! I messaged him March 1st to get an updated estimate and have not heard back since then so I can't imagine waiting over 4 months!!!

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll try contacting again and see what info I can get, hopefully it won't be too much longer!

@Amanda, it's a struggle! I've been dying to see the video since the wedding happened, haha.

Also, read your contract thoroughly that why youre prepared if they try to throw you some reason to wait longer

Editing does take a long time- I'd ask if you can get a partial refund and a new deadline.

I'm glad that you have contract terms...it's not unusual for video to take about that long to edit....but what concerns me is that she's supposed to be a pro and is giving you a personal excuse. That's what doesn't quite cut the mustard. She should at least offer apologies and a definitive time of completion. Document these, and keep her accountable. I'd skip the footsie game and call her. That way you can put her on the spot and she won't have time to think about her answer. Pin her down for a date of completion and keep following up. I'd start with that and be polite but very direct in your expectations....don't get emotional. Keep us posted, then we can address the next step if needed. The partial refund idea is not realistic.

One of my best friends is a wedding photographer also....he was married for 4 years and has 2 young boys with her. At the time a 1 and 3 year old. A couple suspicious things happened, but he felt maybe it was postpartum depression and they'd get through it....they always seemed inseparable. Well, one day he was shooting a wedding, and checked his phone while taking a bathroom break and his wife texted him telling him she scheduled an appointment Monday for a divorce attorney. He had to finish the wedding, because he's a pro and he made a commitment to these people...and finished his commitments, although this felt like death. My point is, if you need extra time, say so and keep the client updated. Not make them wonder and have to fish for info.

My judge Judy thoughts are to email her just to have everything in writing. Lol. But I don't blame you for your frustration, I'm frustrated for you. I know I'm going to be just as anxious to get my photos and video back too. Good luck, I'll be watching for an update

Yes, "shit happens." But a contract is put into place for a reason. It protects both the pro and their clients. I definitely agree with Jay. When you call your videographer, leave your emotions out of it.

Actually, just listen to everything Jay said. lol.

I'm sorry you are going through this. I had to wait 4+ months for my wedding pictures and it was the longest time of my life. It was worth it in the end, though.

Still haven't received contact from the videographer after taking everybody's advice. I've left a text message, and a couple voicemails but still no recent contact on their end. :/ Any advice on what to do next?

At this point I would print the emails and text messages and certify mail them to her with a return receipt. I would include a copy of the contract and inform her that unfortunately she isn't willing to hold her end of the contract so you may have to take legal action if she doesn't provide some kind of a refund and the finished product. Give her a "done by" date maybe 2 weeks from the mail date and if she doesn't respond seek legal ramifications. I watch a lot of court shows sorry

My FH is a wedding videographer and it takes ample time to edit, find songs to buy the rights too and get everything together. He does it differently where he doesn't have them pay him until he gives them the videos so his clients pay a deposit and then once he finishes. His normal turn Around is anywhere between 2-4 months depending on the season.

Stephanie N her contract says 120 days (3 months). She is ignoring emails besides the I've had personal issues that have affected me working answers. She shouldn't mix personal life and business life especially without keeping in contact with her clients

What Alana said. It's been almost 5 months now. That is incredibly unacceptable. If she reached out to you 2 months ago and said "hey I have x going in, I'm so sorry but I'm thinking I should have your video done by __" that's how you be professional. The lack of communication scares me into thinking it's just not getting done. I would email her one more time and explain because of the lack of communication if you don't hear from her in let's say 3 days, you will be contacting an attorney. And if you still don't hear from her in those 3 days, then do what Alana said. Granted I don't think you should give them anymore chances, I think they should have a heads up you're thinking about seeking legal action before actually doing it. But by the sound of it, I would find someone soon. Sounds like you'll need it.

Thanks everyone. I so badly want to give her the benefit of the doubt because the videographer had good reviews, and I can understand personal issues for sure. She's told me there's nothing wrong with the video and that her issues have been making it hard for her to focus on clients but due to lack of contact I'm getting extremely nervous that it's not going to happen after we've already spent the money for it :/