We have emails popping into the One Fab Day inbox from readers every day, and we love it when we can help find the answer to a wedding dilemma that you’ve come up against – and there are plenty! A One Fab Day reader recently found themselves in a really, really tricky situation relating a supplier who didn’t deliver on what was promised, which caused an untold amount of stress to the couple in question.

This query is from a reader who got married last year and has still not been supplied with the video despite having paid in full.

They wrote: “We got married in Italy over 30 weeks ago, but have not received anything from our videographer, even though contract said we should have a video in 20 weeks. We’ve emailed them asking for updates but they’ve ignored our last three emails. Is this normal? We don’t want to hassle them too much in case they give us a sub-par video to get us off his back. But we’re getting anxious, especially with the lack of response. We’ve already paid in full so have no leverage. Just wondering what we should do?”

Planning a wedding is demanding enough, so when there is a hitch with a service it can really take the shine off what was the best day of your life. Obviously, we are keen to help anyone who finds themselves facing this awkward dilemma, so we asked for advice from a legal expert*. Liz Walsh, previous Consumer Columnist for EVOKE has laid out the issue below, and anyone who finds themselves in this position will find her insight very helpful. So what can you do if this happens?

This serves as a useful reminder to be mindful of payment terms,” says Liz. “While many suppliers require a booking fee to secure the date, it’s often advisable not to pay the full balance until the service has been delivered or is close to completion.”

She also notes that timelines can vary: “At first glance, 20 weeks may seem like a long turnaround for a wedding video, but if the contract states the video ‘should’ be delivered within that timeframe, it does allow for some flexibility. It’s always best to review the wording carefully, as many contracts include estimated delivery dates rather than fixed deadlines.”

Liz advises couples to revisit their agreement to check whether a specific delivery date or timeframe is guaranteed, as many contracts will outline when goods or services are expected to be supplied.

After this, Liz suggests following up with your videographer in a clear but courteous way, outlining your expectations and asking for a realistic delivery timeline. It’s always worth checking in first to ensure there aren’t any unforeseen circumstances or personal issues causing the delay.

If you’re still not receiving clear communication or the finished video within a reasonable timeframe, and if the final product doesn’t meet the standard agreed, there are formal options available. In Ireland, the Small Claims Court can handle claims of up to €2,000, with a €25 application fee, and many people choose to represent themselves.

While it’s rarely needed, simply being aware of this option can sometimes help encourage progress and resolution.

*This post is intended to provide general guidance on consumer legislation and is not intended to replace individual professional advice on consumer disputes.

Check out our dedicated FAQ posts to answer all your other wedding dilemmas including When Your Venue Increases the Cost Per Head.