Beauty on a Budget (photographer) pt. 6 (Copy)

Photographer

This is one area I believe most people can agree is an area you should spend a little more money on. The photographs are one of the only parts of a wedding that you get to keep after the wedding day so make sure you get a good photographer. That being said there are several different price points and things to consider when choosing a photographer. Talk to friends and family who have been married, ask them who they used, use instagram tags, google search, or even ask your venue who they recommend. I cannot stress enough to do your research. Make sure you are getting the BEST deal for your price point. Get to know your photographer, see what their package includes, make sure you like them personally because you’re going to be spending a lot of time with them, and see if you can find someone else they’ve worked with, read reviews, or listen to recommendations from those who have used the photographer you’re looking at.

All that being said, spending a little more on a photographer can also save you money in other areas. If you hire a good photographer they are great at making budget friendly weddings look like a million bucks in your pictures. Experienced photographers know how to take bad lighting situations (mid day sun) and turn them into beautiful pictures. These artists are also great at curating your wedding to capture emotion and style your wedding gallery to look even better than the day was in person. A good wedding photographer will give you more than you bargained for as they are great at planning timelines and letting you know how long to plan for each event. Photographers are one of the few vendors who actually attend the wedding so they have a great idea as to how the day will run. A good photographer is worth their weight in gold as they will have resources for vendors they love and prefer to work with as well as understanding what goes into a typical wedding day and help you keep on track.

If you do decide to choose a less expensive photographer look for the photographer that is the best bang for your buck within your budget. Sometimes you can choose a photographer that isn’t necessarily a wedding photographer. If you do this, make sure to choose a photographer that still has some relevant experience that would be helpful for a wedding day. For example a product photographer that has never photographed humans is a bad idea, but maybe an event photographer or a family photographer would be able to capture your day beautifully, but has not ever shot a wedding before. Keep in mind there are other trade offs you may get with this option. They may not be equipped with the resources of an experienced wedding photographer and may not be able to help you plan your timeline, but generally photographers shooting their first few weddings are a little less expensive and if you do your research you can still get some amazing pictures still.

While photography is one of the more expensive aspects of a wedding, it is also one of the longest lasting aspects of a wedding. Everyone has a budget to stick to, but when you’re planning your wedding try to prioritize having a good photographer and then do your research to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. You will never regret spending money on a good photographer for your wedding.