Five Ways to Save Money on Wedding Photography
Weddings are, usually, beautiful occasions for the couple getting married as well as their guests. But the cost of a wedding can frequently cause a lot of misery both before and after the big day. Last year, the average US couple spent $20k on their wedding, with the average in the UK being far higher at a whopping £20k, or $38k. That’s probably the most expensive day you’ll ever have (unless you one day throw a winning lottery ticket in the wash). But more and more couples are feeling the pinch of the recession now, and are looking for a way of getting married on a budget, without spoiling any of the magic of the occasion. Among the drastic measures being taken are asking guests to help with food or music, trimming down invitations to close friends and family only, and the idea of a ‘pre-worn wedding dress’ has appeared in recent years, which was unheard of just 10 years ago. However when it comes to photography, most couples don’t want to go for a cheap option – and you can understand why. Of all the possible expenses you could lay out for your wedding day, its the photography that will stay with you and your family long after the others are just a hole in your bank account. I’ve put together my 5 top tips for how to find a fantastic wedding photographer without breaking the bank.
1. Making the best of Google
There aren’t many photographers around today that don’t have a website, and one of the best ways of finding and comparing wedding photographers in your area and price range is through search engines like Google. Yet with the market being so saturated it’s easy for couples to miss out on some amazing photographers and great prices by not using the power of Google enough. Don’t be content with just looking at Page 1 of the results or the first few sponsored listings. After a thorough search you should have put together a good list of photographers that you can now start comparing on price and style. Also don’t just go for the obvious search terms – make sure you vary your searches, and always include a few local areas and towns to find photographers who are slightly further afield but willing to travel. For example for my wedding I not only searched for “Wedding Photographer in Sussex” – we also looked at other surrounding areas such as Kent, Hampshire, London and Surrey.
2. Be Wary of “Stealth Charges”
In this day and age most photographers are using digital equipment rather than old school film cameras requiring darkroom processing. That means the wedding photographer prices are a lot more simple now too. Yet many photographers are still working off the model of charging couples for each print they want after the wedding – that’s an additional cost on top of what you’ve already paid for their time! I would strongly suggest you forget about these guys and go for someone who will provide a hi-res CD of all the images from the day. Like this you can choose which prints you want to get done at leisure and get them printed for relatively low cost.
3. Make your Own Photo Books!
With digital photography the era of the traditional wedding photo album has passed. Nowadays modern wedding photography books are a big hit with most couples – but the problem is if you go through your photographer these will often cost you an arm and a leg. Yet if you’re willing to make a little effort yourself and you have some creative flair, there are many photobook services now where you can design one at home and get them printed at bargain prices. Ditto when it comes to canvas prints or blow up posters really – as long as you have high quality original image files from your photographer, you can pretty much do it all yourself!
4. Yes, There are a Few Swindlers Out There, But You Can Easily Avoid Them
I have heard so many stories of unfortunate couples who have been taken in by unscrupulous con artists posing as wedding photographers. These swindlers will poach couples with cheap prices and slick sales pitches, receive their deposits or even full booking payments and then never be heard from again. It is a heartbreaking and cruel practice. However the good news is that they’re easily avoided. Firstly, ensure that any payment of deposits or fees are done via bank transfer – its the most secure method of payment, and can be traced and reversed in the event of a problem. And be sure to get a proper contract from the photographer which makes clear what you are getting and what you are paying for – this provides protection to the couple. Finally, and probably most importantly, the phrase “constant vigilance” applies here – go and visit the photographer before money changes hands, make sure you see examples of their work and ask questions about how everything will work – a good photographer will put your fears to rest.
5. Dont be Overzealous in Your Moneysaving Crusade!
Now this one may sound counter-intuitive when it comes to ‘credit crunch weddings’ but I feel it’s an important one. In your quest to cut your wedding budget don’t go too far! As I said above, the photos are probably the most important part of the wedding day when you look back at it in years to come. In this world of ubiquitous DSLR cameras, wannabe photographers with little experience are ten a penny. Judging from their prices alone you’d think you’ve struck gold. But often the real bargains are to be found by going up a level in pricing. Your photographer’s portfolio should always make you go “wow” – otherwise what’s the point of having a wedding photographer?
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