Calling DUET brides!!!

I have a question- I met with Patken last night, very nice guy, but I had a BIG isue with this:
They require you to sign a contract and place a deposit, in order to have an engagement session, where you will find out which photgrapher is best for you.
THEN, they have only 4 of their 9 photographers available on my date. So I asked, what if the photographer that is best for me is booked, do I get my $$ back? He said- get this- 'Either the right photographer will be pulled from somewhere else (EEK!), orr an alternate would be provided.
Umm, so I need to sign a contract and give you my $$ without knowing who will take my pics??? Or if they are even my style (I like candid more...)

My question is this, I know Duet is probably a big studio liek that as well, do they do this too?
I have a meeting tonight, but I don't wnat to waste a trip to Huntington if this is the case...
PLEASE HELP!
TIA!!!

I am not sure what you are asking... I know what patken does is have an epic shoot in the studio with doug, the owner, and then he decides who he thinks is best for you.

With Duet, you can look through their books and see which styles you like the best, and then they will tell you whose books you are looking at. We didn't do it this way, because honestly, we loved ALL their books! Our epics were beyond what I hoped they would be. We are having different photographers for the wedding, and I am confident they will be wonderful. I really have never seen Duet pics I don't like.

I don't think you are required to sign a contract first. IF the person you want isn't available, then you don't have to book them.

The people at Duet are extremely friendly and flexible. They will try to meet whatever needs you have.

We just had our wedding in Sept. with Duet. Although we had there whole staff on our day you can have it in the contract who you want they will not book them for another event. We loved Joe and Eric for our casual shoot and everyone loved that they were there but weren't feel when they took pics and our video. I have been real busy since the honeymoon in Fiji so I haven't posted my review but can honestly say I didn't worry about any aspects with my vendors. One did however ask me to get paid on my wedding day. Even after getting the proofs and reprinting some more pics for our thank you cards( b & w for the actual pic and we are including 2 more pics we loved. )That's the hardest part of working with Duet, You guys have so much to choose from. We had about 800 proofs.

If you have any questions please email me , Fm or just post here.

Best Wishes,

Thomas

PS . If you hear it takes so long to get your albums and video , most of the time it's us getting stuff back to them so they can put it together . My sis still hasn't gotten her albums and she went with someone else. I know it's so hard but try to get your baby pics, dating pics, from your family asap.

Thanks so much for your help, guys!
I think I'm just overly stressing the photg booking! I feel like it is THE most important aspect, and I am just a wreck about getting it wrong!

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Posted by Naunie

Thanks so much for your help, guys!
I think I'm just overly stressing the photg booking! I feel like it is THE most important aspect, and I am just a wreck about getting it wrong!

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You will feel stress up until you are sleeping with your husband the night of your wedding. You just want to get it over with and there are so many details to worry about and second guessing is never good. I hope your wedding day far exceeds your wildest dreams and the weather cooperates. It rained the day before but turned out to be 82 on our wedding day. Keep us updated and certainly know that we will be here for support. This website was so important in choosing my vendors and planning. Even advice on name changing for legal docs. It never stops because there is a Newlywed section also. So feel free to FM , email or post anytime.

Best Wishes,

Thomas

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Posted by Naunie

Thanks so much for your help, guys!
I think I'm just overly stressing the photg booking! I feel like it is THE most important aspect, and I am just a wreck about getting it wrong!

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One thing I forgot. A DOC helps so much and if you need any recomendations ( sp? ) just ask.

IMO.. when looking through the albums at Duet... I thought they all looked alike.
IMO you can't go wrong.....

I specificallt stated that I wanted to have Jay's team in my contract..... so I forsee no problems.

I went to a showcase at JT and spoke with Sherwood Triat (sp??) studio and asked to each photographers work and the guy told me that they basically send who ever the day of.. and that all of them are good!!!

Needless to say that was a turn off and I moved right to Duet!!!