Quote: Originally Posted by JUSTUSTWO At the Riu, you have to use their photographer or pay a cancellation/breach of contract fee because according to the photographer, only he is contracted with the hotel to do ALL PHOTOGRAPHY. I think the cancellation/breach of contract fee is like $250. Also, if you're using an outside photographer, they have to be your guest at the hotel for I think a minimum of 3 nights. For me, I'm using their photographer not because I want to but I just didn't have it in my budget to pay for an outside photographer & his/her travel expenses & accomodations.
Here's my take on this situation. The resort and photographer are feeding you a load of crap.
The resort has a contract with the photographer to do all the weddings at that particular resort. You don't have a contract with the photographer at all so you aren't obligated to pay him anything. It's not your fault the resort made a contract with the photographer. If you don't want to use him, you shouldn't be penalized for it.
Ladies, It's a shame this resort is scamming you like this. However, YOU are the ones with the power in this situation. You and your guests are throwing thousands of dollars at this resort so just tell them they can pay THEIR breach of contract with the photographer, or lose thousands of dollars by taking your business elsewhere. You shouldn't have to pay because you don't want to use their photographer. That's ridiculous.
We need to teach resorts NOT to enter into these "contracts" with photographers because brides want a choice in who they hire. Take a stand against them. This resort isn't the only one to do this and it needs to stop.