Renters - what's acceptable and what's not?
1. Dresses are NOT to be rented for REAL WEDDING EVENTS, including REAL elopements. These events do NOT count as styled photoshoots. Weddings and Elopements are EVENTS.
2. Engagement photo shoots are allowed but NOT engagement parties - parties are NOT styled photo shoots. The dress should be put on just before and after the shoot and NOT worn for any length of time that the dress may be damaged by heels, getting in and out of a car, etc.
3. Adventure vow renewals ARE allowed in national / state parks/nature and should be worn for only a short time to avoid damage to the dress in the wild, natural environment. The idea is that the couple is alone in nature with a photographer renewing their vows somewhere epic.
4. Maternity sessions ARE acceptable, but gender reveal parties or any baby celebration party is an event and are NOT allowed because it is NOT a styled photo shoot.
***Please note - Mamas, you MUST have your photographers contact me BEFORE you may book your dress, due to too many rule breaking mamas in 2021. ;) this is so that they also understand the terms and conditions of providing images before you receive your deposit back. Thank you!
Renter AGREES to READ, KNOW, and ACCEPT the terms and conditions of renting from The Wild Love Collective.
THIS AGREEMENT is made between Sherry Peters / The Wild Love Collective, hereinafter known as “Owner,” and the "Renter" of a dress.
By signing this agreement:
*You agree to READ this contract IN FULL and to ADHERE to the terms and conditions with full comprehension of the terms
*You agree that you ARE NOT a bride, nor renting for a bride for a real elopement or wedding.
*You agree that you ARE a photographer, model, influencer, event planner, or in the wedding or fashion industry and that you intend to use it only for a styled photo shoot.
*You agree that if you are a model, you are renting the dress ONLY for a styled photo shoot, including maternity, engagement shoot, or vow renewals - no events, parties, or pageants
* You agree that if you are a photographer renting a maternity dress for a mama, you will take full responsibility for the dress while it's in your possession and that you agree you are renting it for a mama to use for her photoshoot only, that it will not be used for any events such as a gender reveal or party - only a styled photoshoot.
*You agree that you have an "active" professional photographer, model, event planner, fashion industry or wedding industry Instagram account that can be verified
*You agree to provide the Owner’s email address (
sherry@thewildlovecollective.com) and social media handle
@thewildlove_collective if you are hosting a photography retreat, styled shoot or content days for all other photographers and vendors involved at the styled shoot to share images with the Owner
*You agree that if you are hosting a photography retreat, styled shoot, or content days for other photographers and vendors, you should explain the general terms and conditions for using my dresses.
* You agree to brief all models on taking care of the dress as if it were their own. Remember, YOU are ultimately responsible if anything happens, so don't let the model make holes, for instance, in the tulle trains!
*You agree that dresses are not to be trashed IN ANY WAY. The Wild Love Collective’s dresses and any other rental items are NOT to be used in any “trash the dress” session.
*You agree that, upon immediately receiving the dress, you will unpack and inspect its condition. If Renter sees damage of any kind, including, but not limited to, stains, tears, or rips, Renter will immediately notify the Owner with time-stamped photos BEFORE using the item so as not to be held liable for damage caused by a previous renter.
*You agree that for any dress you rent that is valued at OVER $500, you will pay shipping insurance on the package for $1000. This will be indicated on the dress page. If shipping insurance is not paid, and the package is lost in the mail, you agree to pay $1000 for the lost package because you failed to adhere to this policy.
*You agree that, when shipping back, you will NOT ask for a signature as it will be unobtainable and will prolong the shipping process. I am unable to sign up for a package as I travel for half the month.
*You agree that if you break any contract conditions, you will NOT be subject to receiving your full deposit back at the Owner's discretion. If you break more than one condition of the contract, this means to the Owner you have either not read the contract in full, or you are purposely being careless, or you do not understand the needs of the business, and you may be banned from renting again from The Wild Love Collective
Recently, there has been a trend of renters breaching my contract in a variety of ways. These trends break the flow of my business, and there will be consequences for breaching various contractual terms and conditions, including a reasonable amount deducted from your refundable deposit. What are these trends?
*Not mailing/returning dresses on the day you have agreed to
*Mailing/shipping the dress “ground” instead of 2-day priority
*Returning a dress ruined, trashed, wet, smelling like a swamp, or needing dry cleaning when it wasn't expected to, therefore interrupting the next renter's ability to use the dress
*Not sending me the tracking number immediately when shipping the dress back to me or to the next renter. Please don't make me chase you for it
If the dress is going renter to renter, the refundable deposit will also only be given back when the next renter has received it, inspected it for themselves, taken photos so that they are not liable for damage or stains before they use it, and communicated this to me, the Owner. If the dress is NOT going renter to renter, Sherry will inspect it, and then you will be notified.
Cancellation Policy:
Full payment is taken during the checkout process to hold the Renter's preferred date for the rental. If a date revision is necessary after the fact, the Owner can manually adjust it in the back office if it does not interfere with another rental. Need a date revision because you are traveling? Just ask!
*Renter understands that there are no refunds given once the contract is signed and that if rental is canceled, Renter will receive a credit towards future rentals. In a "qualifying" situation, cancellations, credits, and re-bookings are at the discretion of the Owner.
Owner reserves the right to cancel a booking at short notice. Cancellation may include (but is not limited to) an item not being available due to a late return by a previous renter, damage to an item, or lost packages. The Owner will endeavor to provide as much notice as possible. In the event of a cancellation by the Owner, a full refund will be given, or the Renter will have the option to change the booking to another item or date. This is the ONLY reason why a full refund would be given.
Liability - it's on the person who signs this contract - the Renter.
Owner will not tolerate any "trash the dress" sessions. There is simply no excuse for returning a ruined dress.
Renter always agrees to keep the next renter in mind, keeping in mind that the dress will be returned or sent to the next renter in the same condition in which it was issued or in “very good condition.”
Renter will agree to take extreme care of any item or garment that has been rented and will take responsibility to explain the terms and conditions of this dress rental to the models. If models are told they are also liable for the rental, they will be conscious about stepping on the train, dragging the train mud or water, or through anything that may prick and cause a hole in the tulle or other delicate fabric. So educate them so you aren't held liable for their carelessness.
Renter agrees that if the dress is sent to the next renter dirty, stained, ruined, torn or otherwise beaten up, and it affects the next renter’s shoot, Renter will pay for the rental cost of the dress plus the cost of a replacement dress to the Owner via an invoice to be paid within 7 days.
Renter understands that if they trash a dress, for whatever reason, they will be banned from renting another dress from the collection and that their information will be shared with other rental companies.
Renter understands that all dresses are in EXCELLENT condition. Therefore, ALL dresses should be returned in excellent condition.
During the busy season (opposite of wedding season), my dress rentals are in extremely high demand, and most dresses may go from one renter to another without being able to be inspected by the Owner. The renters must let the Owner know if there are rips and tears that should be noted.
Do not EVER surprise the next renter or Owner with a ruined or dirty dress. Renter would not be pleased to receive a filthy or ruined dress. You and every other Renter is paying for a well-taken care of dress.
Renter should never use a "dry cleaning" deposit as an excuse to get it dirty.
Fit
Renter understands and agrees that dress sizes and measurements are provided as a recommendation based on the designer’s size charts provided, and it is the Renter's responsibility to choose accordingly. Owner's rental dresses are NOT in custom-made sizes for each of Renter's models. Every body will fit differently in each dress, and a different company makes each dress, so there is no standard size.
Renter should choose the size closest to the model’s measurement and, if necessary, rent a size larger. Because this is a styled shoot, the renter should be prepared to clip a dress, use chicken cutlets to fill out the bust, and, if necessary, use double-sided tape to keep it in place.
Owner is not responsible for ensuring the exact fit of the dress on the Renter’s model, but is happy to give advice based on her knowledge of the dress.
Environmental Concerns:
Renter must understand that rental dresses are not to be used around anything with the potential to cause damage, including, but not limited to, smoke, smoke bombs, flames, and sparklers, and they are NOT to be immersed in water (especially not salt water!) unless the owner gives explicit accommodations to do so. This includes not photographing dresses in heavy downpouring rain! When in doubt, call Sherry to ask.
Renter agrees that self-tanners, facial makeup, body shimmer or body makeup, heavy perfumes, and body oils are NOT to be used - - anything with the potential to stain! Renter will be billed for a ruined dress if stains are not completely removed by dry cleaning, should the Renter or model choose to overlook this term/condition. The best practice is to talk to your model about self-tanners. Make sure they know not to apply self-tanner the day of or before the shoot, or you will be liable for a full dry cleaning.
Renter agrees that if they know the landscape they are using the dress in will get it dirty (ex: red rocks, black beach) they will communicate it to the Owner upon renting the dress - so that time will be scheduled to get it dry cleaned after its use, and that the Owner will know in advance so as not to rent out immediately to another renter. Renter will always be responsible for immediately paying for dry cleaning if the dress is used in red rock or black sand environments. No exceptions.
Renter agrees that if the location & environment chosen to photograph the dress snags the dress, creates holes or tears in the material (burrs, spina, cacti) Renter will communicate this to the Owner immediately and CLEAN them out of the dress before returning. While you do not intend to snag a dress, you are still responsible for its care as YOU chose the location. Clean debris out of the dress before returning the dress, or you will be paying for full dry cleaning.
Renter agrees to remove all debris from the dress, including but not limited to sand (brush off when dry), twigs, dust, pet hair, human hair, and anything else that would deem it an un-rentable condition for the next renter. Always keep the next renter in mind, as these dresses often go from Renter to Renter. Do not surprise the next Renter, or Owner, with debris on the dress.
Renter agrees that the dress will NOT be used around or returned smelling of cigarette smoke or weed (marijuana), gasoline, fire, smoke, or have any burn marks.
Dresses are strictly prohibited from being used in a 420 (marijuana) shoot - or any other type of shoot involving illegal drugs. If the Owner finds out that the dress is used in this situation, you will immediately be invoiced for a dress replacement and no longer be allowed to rent. Burn marks are unacceptable, as is the smell of smoke and marijuana, and I do not care to find drugs in my pockets upon return. Thank you.
Do you live in a state where marijuana is legal? Unfortunately, it's still prohibited from being used while in my dresses. It's just my rule. Do you care to smoke in it anyway? If found out which you will be, especially if you post it on IG, you will be banned from renting from me in the future. It's just not worth it.
Renter agrees they will NEVER make an effort to clean or repair rented dresses without permission as this may cause further damage. Renter agrees NOT to attempt to clean or repair the dress or to let others in your family throw it in the wash for you. (Yes, it’s happened!) I trust my dry cleaner only. Don't do it. If you have ruined a dress, I certainly don't trust you to clean it properly. Renter will send it back as is to be assessed.
Renter is fully responsible for loss, destruction, or damage to the items due to theft, mysterious disappearance, fire, major stains, or any other cause other than normal wear and tear. Renter will immediately be invoiced for a dress replacement, no longer allowed to rent, and blacklisted with Owner and other rental companies.
Renter agrees that if the dress is damp from snow or rain, they will contact the Owner if they cannot fully dry it before shipping it back or to the next renter on the agreed-upon shipping date. If a dress returns smelling of mold because it was damp in transit, the dry cleaning deposit will be forfeited immediately, and you may be assessed more fees for additional dry cleaning. Let me tell you how many times I have. received a dress back smelling like a swamp... and the renter tells me they don't understand because they weren't in the water. But they shot in the PNW. Do not send a dress back damp or wet!
Renter understands that, if being provided a bodysuit with a dress, that model must wear their own underwear underneath, and that bodysuit MUST STILL BE hand-washed that evening to be dried before shipping back the next day. No exceptions!
It seems that damage comes in waves - how is it that I get 3 incidents of totally trashed dresses in 3 weeks, all in the PNW in February, or 3 incidents of torn tulle on the top layer of a dress all at the same time? I don't get the trend. That said, if I can repair it at a low cost, I will try. But I appreciate the communication and downright honesty. Do not be a pompous ass about it, be honest. I will give you more grace.
I'm not looking to do anything but have great dresses to put out for rent. If you ruin a dress, you must take responsibility for ruining it and paying for it. So work with me, and I will work with you. Own up to what you did...let's come to how we can fix it, and the less "pompous" you are about it, the more we can fix it.
Damage is bound to happen to dresses over time, and if it's something that is normal wear and tear, I totally understand. Let's work through it.
Upon shipping, Renter should IMMEDIATELY send the tracking number to Owner to send to the next renter, or so that Owner can keep her pulse on where the dresses are. Please do not make Owner chase you for the tracking number. When Renter drops off the package, immediately message me the tracking number or a screenshot of the receipt to the Owner.
