Every Wedding is Unique and Awesome
Though these FAQ might answer some of the big questions – we always approach things with flexibility and reason. Our business is continually evolving, and we’re always excited to talk about the latest things we’re doing directly with you. We’re here to help.
General FAQ
Why are your photographers better?
Because we pay them more than double the industry standard for companies in the same cost bracket. This means two things:
It takes A LOT to become a Fox + Ivory lead photographer and
Yes, we make less money – but that’s ok. We’d rather deliver stellar photos and pay our photographers an actual livable wage.
We have a rather robust screening process to be hired as one of our photographers – we don’t just take anyone off the street! Our photographers are highly dedicated, honest and reliable. We hold them to a very high standard – and that’s why we pay them very well. This ensures our photographers are invested in making sure your photos are awesome. We also hold seminars and workshops to develop their skills and ensure they adhere to our aesthetic. Basically, we do a lot to make sure you get an awesome photographer on your wedding day, no matter who you choose.
Do we choose our photographer?
Yes, absolutely! After you fill out the contact form, we will send you a list of photographers which are available on your wedding date, along with their portfolios – then you choose. If you’d like to speak to the photographer of your choice before you commit, Niki, our Client & Team Coordinator will be happy to schedule a call with you & them.
When do we talk with our lead photographer?
A month before your wedding, our Client & Team Coordinator will contact you to schedule a phone call with your photographer! This phone call usually happens Tuesday evening, the week of your wedding. You guys will go over the questionnaire(s) we ask you to fill out & also go over the final wedding day timeline.
When do we meet our lead photographer?
Doing an engagement session with your lead photographer is a great way to meet them and to get comfortable in front of their camera! Otherwise, we don’t schedule in-person meetings – this is one of the ways we are able to keep costs down and still deliver high quality photos! If we had to pay every photographer for their time in meetings, we’d have to charge double! We’d rather keep our pricing low for you!
Are there really NO additional fees?
We do not charge any additional taxes on the prices you see listed on our site. We do not require you to purchase a certain amount of photos or albums. We do not charge any credit card processing fees with your online payments. Please note: travel fees will apply if our staff is driving outside of the Chicagoland area. We also add a 30% price increase for holiday weekends. We ask that vendor meals are provided to all of our staff on wedding days and that parking fees are covered (when applicable).
I have more questions, who can I contact?
You can contact our Client & Team Coordinator, Niki – she has all the answers! Her email is niki@foxandivory.com
Booking Process
Ok, we’r ready to book. Now what?
Once you’ve selected your photographer & package(s), we will send over the quote via email. This is where you can make the credit card retainer payment and sign the agreement. Easy peasy!
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept credit card payments through our online booking system. WITH NO FEES! We have dealt with too many issues accepting checks in the past and stick to credit cards. It’s easier for you and us! Go ahead and earn those travel miles!
How much is the retainer payment?
$500 for photo and/or video and $1000 if you bundle!
What’s the payment schedule?
50% of the final balance is due 6 months before the wedding date, then the final balance is due 1 month before the wedding date!
Before the Wedding
I’m booked! Now what?
We might periodically send you an email with some helpful wedding planning tips, blog posts, etc. but for the most part we’ll stay pretty quiet. You can reach out to Niki at any time!
About a month before your wedding, we’ll send you a wedding day questionnaire(s) and schedule a phone call with your photographer to go over your timeline & questionnaire(s).
What’s in the questionnaire?
It’s basically the who, what, when and where of your wedding day.
What will the call with my photographer be about?
We’ll go through your entire timeline from start to finish. We want to make sure we know when everything is happening and where. We want to know as much as we can about your wedding – this will help. Budget about 30 minutes for this “final details” call.
Do we both have to be on the final call?
We want to get to know you both a little bit – it’s encouraged that you both attend hop on this call, but it’s not required. This is also a great opportunity to ask questions and address any concerns the two of you might have.
After the Wedding
When do we get our photos?
Your photos are delivered 3-4 weeks from your wedding date.
How do we get our photos?
Your final gallery will be delivered via email – you’ll receive a link to an online gallery where the high resolution jpeg’s are stored. This gallery will be live for two years.
Are our photos edited? Do we get the RAW files?
Yes, all the images in the final gallery will be edited for exposure and color. We do not provide any raw files.
What is the editing process like?
Our in house editors will go through all your photos and remove the undesirable photos. These photos can be photos where someone’s eyes are closed, unflattering photos, duplicates, etc… The remaining photos are then edited for exposure and color. We do not Photoshop any of the photos, but it can be done for an additional cost per photo.
What kind of rights do our photos come with?
Once you receive your final gallery, you can download the photos and print anywhere you’d like. There is also a convenient purchase prints potion on the gallery itself. This makes it easy to order prints from our specialized photo lab in California – these prints will be better quality than a standard Walgreens/Shutterfly print. You can also share the gallery with friends and family and they can order prints. NOTE: you are in no way obligated to order any prints from the gallery.
Do you offer wedding albums?
Yes, of course! Here’s some information about albums
Video FAQ
When will my films be delivered?
- Coverage Film – 4 weeks from wedding date
- Highlight Package – 8 weeks from wedding date
- Cinematic Package – 8 weeks from wedding date
Can I pick my the music for my highlight film?
Our editors will choose the music. We want your wedding film to be as unique as you are. Choosing a song you don’t know goes a long way towards making a one of a kind film. We also cut up and re-arrange the music to fit your story and dialogue. We can do this because we license our music 100% legally. Licensing a popular song can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Also, you don’t need the added pressure of choosing music that will be in your film for decades and decades to come. We’ll do that for you. For these reasons we do not allow our couples to choose the music. We’ve never had anyone complain about our music choices!!
