The short answer
Most wedding photographers use a two-payment structure: a retainer (sometimes called a deposit) paid at booking to secure the date, and a balance paid before or shortly after the wedding. The specific split and timing vary by photographer, but the structure itself is fairly consistent across the industry.
The retainer
Typically 25–50% of the total package price, paid at the time of booking. A retainer serves two purposes: it compensates the photographer for holding that date exclusively (turning away other potential clients), and it signals genuine commitment from the couple. Retainers are usually non-refundable, since the photographer has already lost the opportunity to book someone else for that date.
The balance
The remaining amount, typically due somewhere between 30 days before the wedding and the day of, depending on the photographer's policy. Some photographers split this into additional installments rather than one lump balance payment.
What can go wrong with informal tracking
When a payment schedule exists only as a verbal agreement or a line in an email thread, two things commonly happen: payments get missed simply because there's no clear reminder system, and disputes arise because neither party has an easy, shared reference for what was actually agreed. This is less about dishonesty and more about the reality of managing many client relationships without a structured system.
What a well-structured payment schedule looks like
- A clear written schedule, agreed at booking, showing exact amounts and due dates
- Automated reminders as a due date approaches
- A simple, visible record both parties can check — not something buried in an email thread
- A clear, shared understanding of what happens if a payment is late
Camrhia auto-builds a wedding's payment schedule the moment it's booked, with reminders that send themselves — visible to both the photographer and the couple. See how it works →