Difference Between the Wedding, Adventure Elopement, and Destination Wedding Photography Contracts

When it comes to capturing weddings, choosing the right contract for your services is essential for both protecting your business and setting clear expectations with clients. At The Legal Paige, there are tailored contracts designed to fit the specific needs of wedding photographers, adventure elopement photographers, and destination wedding photographers.

Let’s break down the main differences between the Wedding Photography Contract, Adventure Elopement Contract, and Destination Wedding Contract to help you select the right one.

The Wedding Photography Contract

The Wedding Photography Contract handles what we like to call more ‘traditional’ weddings—the ones with large venues, wedding parties, big families, guests, dancing, sit-down dinners, tons of vendors, and cake!

• The Wedding Photography Contract has clauses related to complimentary meals for you and your assistants during the designated meal times, short bathroom breaks during the event, and responsibilities of the clients and wedding party to ensure they are on time for specific photo ops.

• This contract also includes information about location limitations so that your business is covered for any limits placed upon you by the venue such as flash photography restrictions, where you can stand, etc.

• The contract further includes all the clauses you’d expect to be in it such as a model release clause, exclusive photographer clause, copyright clause, artistic style clause, confirmation of day-of photography schedule clause, and safe working environment clause.

• The Wedding Photography Contract does NOT have an assumption of risk clause because typical wedding settings don’t involve risky or strenuous activities.

The Adventure Elopement Photography Contract

An elopement photographer likes to go to remote locations with their clients, go on rugged terrain, hike a few miles (or more!) into the ceremony location, and assists clients with lots of the planning services prior to the elopement day on top of providing photos. 

• The Adventure Elopement Photography Contract includes clauses related to the communication and planning of the wedding: scouting locations, helping clients obtain permits, working with third-party vendors, and other various tasks.

• The contract also has additional clauses regarding the cost of travel fees, compensation for planning and outside communication for the event, and location and scouting.

• The contract further has language regarding third-party vendor responsibilities and liability, which explains that while you’ll assist with finding outside third-party vendors for your clients that they are ultimately responsible for booking them and the liability and risks incurred to work with them.

• The biggest clause in this contract that is NOT in the regular wedding photography contract is the assumption of risk clause. This clause ensures your clients understand the risks of injury that may happen during the elopement and has your clients voluntarily accept that risk and liability (aka hold you harmless).

• Other clauses like the inclement weather clause are ones you will also see in the general wedding photography contract but are more specific in this contract because they have different parameters to better fit the situation. The Adventure Elopement Photography Contract’s inclement weather clause requires the event to continue if it is storming and raining so long as it is safe to be outdoors and explains how the photographer will make the final decision about moving locations and/or dates due to weather and not the client. 

SHOP NOW → 

The Destination Wedding Contract

If you photograph destination weddings that require travel, but may also include some adventure without the full elopement experience, the Destination Wedding Contract is the best fit. This contract is like a blend between the Wedding Photography and Adventure Elopement contracts, covering travel and adventure elements but in a less extreme way.

Important clauses include:

• Day-of Coverage with Additional Sessions: Covers both the wedding day and possibly additional sessions (like a “day-after” shoot).
• Limited Assumption of Risk: For destination shoots, there may still be minor risks (e.g., light hikes or adventurous locations), so this clause is included but isn’t as comprehensive as in the Adventure Elopement Contract.
• Vendor and Location Logistics: Outlines your role in coordinating with vendors or addressing location-specific concerns, similar to a traditional wedding contract.

SHOP NOW → 

Choosing the Right Contract

Each contract is tailored to protect photographers based on the type of event they’re covering. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose:

• Traditional Weddings at a Venue → Use the Wedding Photography Contract.
• Remote, Adventurous Elopements → Choose the Adventure Elopement Photography Contract.
• Destination (or 'micro') Weddings with a Hint of Adventure → Go with the Destination Wedding Photography Contract.

At The Legal Paige, each contract is specifically crafted to cover your unique needs as a photographer, ensuring you’re legally protected while providing clients with clear expectations for their big day.

Always feel free to contact us HERE if you have any additional questions about your services so we can be sure you get the correct wedding contract for your photography business!

THIS BLOG POST IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR LEGAL ADVICE. EVERY SITUATION IS DIFFERENT & IS FACT-SPECIFIC. A proper legal analysis is necessary based on your location and contract. Consult an attorney in your home state for advice regarding your contract or specific legal situation.

See our full disclaimer here.