Your wedding photographs are the memories of your wedding that will accompany you for a lifetime, and perhaps even outlive you. So, you don’t want to skimp and get it wrong. Professional wedding photographers are worth their weight in gold, but getting your wedding pictures done by them can actually take a chunk out of your wedding budget. The Knot’s real wedding survey suggests that the average couple spends $2556 on their wedding photography, which is quite a lot of money. Fortunately, there are some ways in which you can make your money go further and get the best possible results for what you can afford. Let us find out what they are.
Research well and book early
First and foremost, don’t assume that you will get an unreasonably high discount, however early you look. So, start with someone who has rates that you can afford. Take the time to check out photographer portfolios and reviews, and find a photographer whose style you like. Although you may have a limited budget, you can still find the best photographer for that budget provided that you begin your search early and zero in on the right candidate.
Make use of discounts
You must have gone through the wedding photos of your friends. Is there any that you have loved in particular? If you haven’t really given much thought to this, think about it now. This way, you may find a good photographer who gives you a better deal because of the reference your friend provides. It is also likely that photographers offer referral discounts if you get someone else to sign up for their services as well. If you know of any other engaged friends, recommend your photographer to them. If they like him as much as you do, you may even and snag a discount when they sign up for his services.
Look for package deals and stick to the digital version till you can make your album
Many photographers offer package deals, and you can choose the one that fits your budget. Set some time aside to discuss your options, and find out if you can customize the available choices to fit your needs. Don’t worry too much about getting your wedding album ready right after the wedding. The important thing at this point is getting the pictures taken by a good photographer. Once you have the digital prints ready, start working on your wedding album only when you have the budget for it. Else, put it off till when you do. You do not have to worry, as you will always have the pictures to put into the album. Just don’t forget all about it. Make sure that you will get your album ready as soon as you have the necessary amount put aside for it. Share the digital prints with your friends and wedding guests soon after the wedding, so you do not have to postpone the excitement of sharing those memorable moments.
Find more valuable tips and advice to plan your dream wedding and stick to budget by visiting us at Best for Bride.
Booking early helps, but if you know a person, that is also a great way to get a discount on your photos.
Ask about a discount to book early. When we got our photographer, we talked to at least 4 others and they all offered that type of discount.
These are great tips. One that we used was asking for a discount for the number of photos that were taken. We knew what we wanted as keepsakes, but knew that most of the images we were never going to look at again. That saved us some money.
I have been taking photos for wedding couples for many years now. I cannot stress enough how important it is when you are ready for the session. Planning goes a long way and there is a lot to be said about getting it right the first time!
Besides the venue, the photography is likely to cost the next highest on the list. These are great tips, but you have to consider what you are getting for the money that you are spending. Keep it simple and things are cheaper as well.