Wedding Deposit Schedule & Payment FAQs

If you’re on this page, chances are you’re recently engaged — congratulations!!! As always, our goal is to ensure that you find all the information you need in an easy-to-understand and transparent way. Below you can find more information and frequently asked questions about our retainers and deposits when booking a wedding or session with Atlanta Dahlia Photography.

Our retainer and deposit schedules

*All retainers/deposits paid are applied toward your session/event balance.

For Large weddings booked more than 6 months in advance

To book a wedding with Atlanta Dahlia Photography, our retainer/deposit schedule is:

15% Due the Day You Sign Your Contract — This is a RETAINER to confirm and book your date. This retainer is non-refundable but can be used for future services in the event you were to cancel your wedding.
15% Due 6 Months Before Your Wedding — This is a RETAINER payment. This retainer is non-refundable but can be used for future services in the event you were to cancel your wedding.
20% Due 4 Months Before Your Wedding — This is a RETAINER payment. This retainer is non-refundable but can be used for future services in the event you were to cancel your wedding.
20% Due 2 Months Before Your Wedding — This is a RETAINER payment. This retainer is non-refundable but can be used for future services in the event you were to cancel your wedding.
30% Due 1 Week Before Your Wedding — This payment is a DEPOSIT payment. This deposit payment is refundable to you in the event you were to cancel your wedding.

For intimate weddings/elopements & large weddings booked less than 6 months in advance

To book an intimate wedding or an elopement with Atlanta Dahlia Photography, our retainer/deposit schedule is:

30% Due the Day You Sign Your Contract — This is a RETAINER to confirm and book your date. This retainer is non-refundable but can be used for future services in the event you were to cancel your wedding.
30% Due 2 Months Before Your Wedding — This is a RETAINER payment. This retainer is non-refundable but can be used for future services in the event you were to cancel your wedding.
40% Due 1 Week Before Your Wedding — This payment is a DEPOSIT payment. This deposit payment is refundable to you in the event you were to cancel your wedding.

for 60-minute sessions & Indoor Lifestyle/Boudoir Sessions

To book a portrait session (i.e., engagement, couples, family, maternity) with Atlanta Dahlia Photography, our retainer/deposit schedule is:

$150 Due at Time of Booking — This is a RETAINER to confirm and book your selected date. This retainer is non-refundable but can be used for future services in the event of cancellation.
Remainder Due the Day Before Your Session.

for Live Streaming & Photo Booth Only Packages

To book an indoor lifestyle/boudoir session with Atlanta Dahlia Photography, our retainer/deposit schedule is:

40% Due at Time of Booking — This is a RETAINER to confirm and book your selected date. This retainer is non-refundable but can be used for future services in the event of cancellation.
60% Due One Day Before Your Event — This payment is a DEPOSIT payment. This deposit payment is refundable to you in the event you were to cancel your event.

Studio Sessions

These vary by session type and will be displayed when placing your booking.

Initial Payment When Reserving — This is a RETAINER to confirm and book your selected date. This retainer is non-refundable but can be used for future services in the event of cancellation.

Your investment: Understanding our payment journey

Weddings are a significant investment, and we believe your payment schedule should reflect the care and flexibility you deserve. We’ve designed our structure to be fair, transparent, and—most importantly—understanding of the fact that life happens.

Retainers vs. Deposits: What’s the Difference?

The Retainer (Our Mutual Promise): Think of this as your guarantee to work with us. While it is non-refundable, it is never lost. If your wedding plans change or are canceled, your retainer remains yours to use toward future sessions, prints, or gift certificates.
The Deposit (Your Refundable Peace of Mind): These are the payments made closer to your wedding date. Because these are tied to the specific logistics of your day, they are fully refundable should you need to cancel.

Common questions & peace of mind

How do I pay? Once your contract is signed, you’ll receive an online invoice. We accept all major credit cards, and because we’ve already factored processing fees into our pricing, we encourage you to use the card that earns you those travel miles or cashback!
What if I’m running behind on a payment? We are humans first. If you hit a financial roadblock, please just talk to us! Open communication is all we ask. We’ll send a reminder a week before your due date, but if you need to adjust your schedule, we’re here to listen and help.
Can I pay my whole balance early? While you’re welcome to, we actually recommend sticking to the schedule! Our payment dates are aligned with the work we do behind the scenes—from planning and equipment prep to the resources used for your post-wedding editing.
How do I reschedule? We make this easy with our Live Availability Calendar. You can see our open dates in real-time. If you need to move your date, just email us! We’ll send over a simple addendum and transfer all your payments to the new date. (Note: A change in location or moving from a weekday to a weekend may involve a pricing adjustment.)
Why are some payments non-refundable? The retainer allows us to turn away other inquiries and focus entirely on you. It also fuels the "magic" behind the scenes—investing in the latest technology, professional education, and the high-touch support that ensures your experience is seamless. We invest 30% of our revenue back into our software, tools, maintenance, and education to make sure you're getting the absolute best.
Can friends and family help with our balance? Absolutely! We can even set up a dedicated payment link that you can add to your gift registry. It’s a beautiful way for your loved ones to contribute to your legacy without ever seeing your private invoice.
What if you have to cancel? In the highly unlikely event that we have to cancel on you, every cent you’ve paid—both retainers and deposits—will be refunded in full.