Legal Advice on Wedding Film

[Al50]

Hi All,

I am hoping someone can guide me in the right direction here. I got married back in November last year and hired a recommended film company from the venue I got married at. Fast forward to now and I have only received part of the footage. Throughout this time I have been emailing him and I sometimes get a reply and other times not - and in some cases I have been promised footage on specific days and nothing has been sent. I have everything in writing from the arrangements and agreements down to the payment receipt (I paid part cash, part card - £1500 total). Footage delivery on his invoice states 6-8 weeks. I believe I have a strong case against him if it was to go to court. I have spoken to citizens advice and they have advised me to send a signed for written letter. I have researched the company and it looks like hes self employed or in a partnership.

There's a few questions on my mind before I take him to a small claims court.

1. If I start the proceedings and pay for this and then he sends me the footage where do I stand - can I still proceed to claim? - I don't want to be out of pocket here

2. What can I claim for at this point as I only have part of what we agreed?

3. Can I claim for the full amount or only part?

4. If I can only claim part - how do I work out how much to claim for?

Any advice would be great

Many Thanks Al

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

I'd be mindful that this company or the 'him' you refer to might conveniently lose the footage if your not careful. Last resort, legal action but............

Have you spoken to the venue who presumably give them a lot of business and may be better placed to apply some pressure?

 

[Al50]

He has given me the RAW footage so I could get it edited by someone else, but like I said I am cautious about where I stand if I proceed with legal action and then he sends me all the footage. I will most certainly be out of pocket if this happens.

 

[Newchodge]

If you have ALL the raw fotage you get a quote from someone reputable to do the editing and sue him for that amount + an amount for the emotional distress this has caused you. You (hopefully) only get one wedding day and he has ruined the memories of it through his incompetence. Tell him this is what you are proposing and say that he has one final opportunity to fulfill his contract (give him 4 weeks) before you commence this action.

Also talk to the venue about the issue and ask what they are going to do about it.