COVID-19 2021
Please note: While the information on this page represents a good majority of our policies, your particular situation may be different. When discussing any changes to your day, please reach out to us at ryan@ryandevoll.com to ensure you know how your changes will impact your photography or videography for your wedding.
Current Wedding COVID Guidelines:
Rhode Island
Indoor limit: 100 people
Outdoor limit: 200 people
Last updated March 16, 2021
Massachusetts
Indoor limit: 100 people
Outdoor limit: 150 people
Last updated February 25, 2021
Dancing is allowed in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Rhode Island actually has a detailed website with the current restrictions and guidelines located here.
Massachusetts’s COVID-19 Website is located here
Postponements:
If you are planning to postpone your 2021 wedding into 2022, this section is for you. At this point it is recommended to WAIT as the state and local officials are slowly reopening the industry and allowing events to happen as vaccines become regularly available.
Our contract has changed a lot since some of you signed back in 2019. Depending on your contract will depend on if you have a fee regardless of what day of the week you switch to. However in most cases, if you move your wedding to a Saturday, you will most likely be charged a 15% rescheduling fee. If you reschedule to a Friday or Sunday, you may be subject to a fee. Regardless you will have to sign a new agreement with us. The new date must be within 6-12 months of your original date or you will be subject to our new package prices.
Why will I be charged a fee?
First off - We hate adding fees to any of our wedding packages. However, these past 2 years have been really difficult in our business. If we continue to reschedule couples without any fees we won’t be able to keep our business alive. In some situations, we’ve held dates for over 2 years. As we enter into 2021, and couples continue to reschedule, we will lose out on new clients because we’ve held your date for over a year. Because we will be continuing our work for a few more months, or even an additional year, a fee is necessary.
Wouldn’t the “force majeure” clause apply?
No. A force majeure policy is put in action when an unexpected event occurs. Since COVID has now been around for a year, it no longer applies.
What’s your availability like for 2021/2022?
We are currently handling this on a case-by-case basis. Our 2021 & 2022 calendar has not been finalized. Our hope is that by the spring we will have a better game plan when it comes to postponements and has our availability posted here on this site. Check back later for updates.
Cancelations & Refunds:
If you are considering canceling your wedding, please contact us right away
General overview of our cancelation policy:
If you cancel your wedding, you must notify us in writing right away, which will null in void our agreement together. No money paid, including money paid after the deposit will be refunded. If you are 60 days prior to your wedding and you cancel, you will be responsible for the remainder of the wedding package regardless (this may be 8 months rather than 60 days depending on when you booked us).
Do I get a refund for the money I paid?
The short answer: No. Our contracts only allow us to refund a couple if we as the photographers, cancel. Not if the client cancels.
What if I paid all of our original wedding invoice off, and now are considering canceling the wedding?
Unfortunately this wouldn’t be recommended because you would not receive any money back. A number of our clients followed their original wedding invoice due dates in 2020 as a way to secure their new rescheduled wedding dates in 2021 and to not have to worry about any money for their new dates because everything was already paid off. This was industry standard last year for vendors who didn’t charge any rescheduling fee.
My contract mentions the non-refundable deposit, but doesn’t mention any other money, do I get a refund?
No. We mention the non-refundable deposit most places because that’s what the couple pays when they originally sign the agreement, but any money paid is non-refundable unless the business themselves cancel on the client. This is industry standard.
Smaller Weddings:
Questions regarding splitting your wedding coverage into two days, one this year and one next
If you’re planning on having a smaller wedding and don’t need the entire coverage originally booked with your wedding package you have a couple of options here:
1. Keep your full wedding package and we’ll come up with a game plan for the remaining coverage time. The unused package time can be used for a day before the session, day after session, rehearsal coverage, or even gifted to a family member for any other service we offer.
2. Use the amount of coverage time now and plan for a bigger wedding in the future. Or some coverage from the bigger day and use the remainder for the bigger day.
3. Cancel your wedding package and book a smaller intimate wedding collection with us.
Can I remove hours/coverage from my package since I’m having a smaller wedding?
No. As mentioned during all of our consultations, we never allow you to remove options, items or services from our Collections. If you want to use some of the coverage for something else, such as rehearsal coverage, day after or a day before coverage, or anything like that we’d be more than happy to work with you.
In Summary:
COVID has changed our business a LOT and while this site does offer a good insight into what you could expect when making plans for your day, keep in mind that everyone’s situation is different. If you are considering any of these changes please reach out to us ASAP to discuss what kind of impact it could have on your wedding day.
As the situation changes, our policies may change along with it. Like most businesses, we “rolled with the punches” as 2020 hit and forced us to make a lot of different changes. This site will continually be updated to inform you of the latest guidelines from RI & MA, as well with popular questions we keep receiving regarding our policies. Should a question arise, please be sure to email us right away at ryan@ryandevoll.com
Thank you,
Ryan & Jenn