Wedding Photography Money Saving Tips

Wedding Photography Money Saving Tips

Your photographer and wedding photos will be one of the most expensive purchases you will have for your big day. There are countless websites featuring gorgeous artistic bridal pictures from a wide array of photographers. Many times it is easy to get your heart set on a photographer, only to discover they want to charge you a small fortune for their services. Isn’t there any way to get around the huge price tag when it comes to getting quality photographs? The answer is yes, after you have learned a few helpful tricks about the industry and how to work your way around it.

Do Not Be Romanced

Save the passion for your future spouse – don’t get wooed by photographers that try to sell you their most expensive package by showing you examples of the most beautiful photos you have ever seen. Notice the aspects of what is making the shot exceptional – a designer gown, a supermodel bride, or a gorgeous location nowhere near where you are getting married. More often than not, the components of a great photograph will not necessarily be replicated in your own experience. While every wedding is beautiful, it is important you find a photographer who is able to bring out the artistic splendor in any setting, rather than romancing you with an impressive portfolio.

Be practical and ask questions. Don’t be afraid of becoming a nuisance or asking for too many specifics. This is a business and you are his paycheck. It is important you and your photographer are on the same page. You are paying him to document the most special day of your life, and you do not want to be disappointed. Interview him or her on how exactly they plan to execute superb photography. Has he been to your specific location before? Does he have more experience shooting during the day or at nighttime? Bring magazine samples of poses you particularly like and ask if he has any examples of something similar. Cover all your bases, as you only get one chance for gorgeous photos.

Set a Budget

Before interviewing photographers, set a photo budget and commit to staying within a few hundred dollars of that range. Great pictures are available at a variety of financial levels, and choosing your price tag before shopping around will save you heartache and wasted time. Ask photographers their price before you meet with them. Many have their general prices listed on their website. Are they hedging? Then move on to the next contender.

If you are getting married in the off-season - November through April, except for Christmas - then you may be able to get a deal. Even premier photographers have to pay the bills, meaning their rates may drop to a more reasonable charge during the time of year where fewer weddings are held. This is true with most wedding-related services, so keep this in mind when setting your date.

Ask your final selections what their packages include. This may seem obvious, but oftentimes there are hidden fees or contract clauses. Are you given rights to your photos? Are you given the negatives or a disk of all the pictures so you can reproduce them however you’d like? If this is not included, try to work it into the agreement or choose a photographer who will agree to this. Pictures get damaged over time, and having rights to your photographs is worth the extra cost.

Fortunately, many photographers are actually cheaper when they agree to provide you with a disk and no prints. This is another great option for couples looking to save on their wedding albums.

Some red flags that are sure to break the bank include:

• Magazine style wedding albums
• Extra fee for assistant or makeup artist
• Overtime charges
• Differing fees for day or night weddings
• “Included” fancy wedding album or “unlimited” prints

Try to stay away from these things as they may seem like a good deal but actually hike up the cost of your package significantly.

Using a Family Member or Friend

It’s the classic tale. A cousin volunteers to do the videography for your wedding. You get the tape back and find out your first kiss is blocked by a co-worker’s head, your bouquet toss wasn’t filmed because your videographer was hitting the buffet, and your cake cutting was recorded over with the latest football game.

While this is obviously a series of extreme examples, many brides have been horrified by the results of using a relative or friend for a variety of wedding services. Having a friend photograph your wedding can be a great way to save money, but there are some common rules you should follow if you choose to take this route.

• Ensure the friend or relative is reliable and willing to sign a contract
• Double-check that they have photography experience
• Make sure they can be there for the entire wedding and reception
• Provide a list of specific photos you want taken
• Make sure payment is made before the wedding itself to avoid any cost disputes

Wedding photography money saving tips are important to utilize so you can guarantee gorgeous memories without sliding deep into debt.