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Wedding Photography on a Budget: 5 Great Tips

A wedding is a wonderful occasion, both for the happy couple, and their friends and family. 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. I don't have to tell you that's an insane amount of money to spend on a single day. And with the credit crunch showing no signs of easing, prospective brides and grooms are actively looking for ways to cut costs without spoiling the magic of their special day. Couples are cutting down guest lists, asking for friends and family to help out instead of hiring caterers, DJs and videographers, and brides are increasingly considering pre-worn wedding dresses. Yet the photography is one area few are prepared to compromise on, and with good reason. Because your wedding photos are the one thing that linger after all the dust has settled and the money has been spent on the rest of the celebrations - so naturally you would want it the pictures to be perfect. Below are my top five tips on how to keep your wedding photography budget low, without compromising on quality.

 

1. Have faith in Google

Any wedding photographer worth their salt will have a website displaying their work, and the best way to find them is, as always, by Googling. However since there are so many photographers jostling for space the problem is it can be easy to miss out on some great ones by not searching deeply enough. Do not make the mistake of not going beyond the first page of results or the top few sponsored links in Google. After a thorough search you should have put together a good list of photographers that you can now start comparing on price and style. Another tip is dont just settle for the most obvious phrases when you're searching - try a few different searches, being sure to look at surrounding towns and regions as many photographers are willing to travel to cover a wedding. For example for my wedding I not only searched for "Wedding Photographer Sussex", we also made sure to look for photographers in London, Kent and Hampshire.

 

2. Be Wary of "Stealth Charges"

Gone are the days when your wedding photographer had to develop their own prints in a darkroom - its all digital now. All of which has meant that wedding photographer prices are now far less complex. So I'm amazed that so many photographers still charge their customers an extra fee for each print on top of the booking! My money saving tip would be to stick to the photographer who will give you a CD with ALL the pictures in high resolution. That way you can get prints done at a fraction of the cost at your local photo printing lab.

 

3. Make your Own Photo Books!

With digital photography the era of the traditional wedding photo album has passed. These days contemporary 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. The same goes for things like canvas prints and enlargements - all you really need are the original high res images!

 

4. Dont Get Taken in By the Scam Artists

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. The thing is, if you're vigilant they're pretty easy to spot and avoid. Make sure you pay any deposits via secure bank transfer as this can be traced in the event of a problem, and that you receive an invoice and receipt for your payment. Also make sure you get a legally binding contract from the photographer which states clearly what you are getting for your money and will protect you. 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. Don't Forget To Insist on Quality!

Now this one may sound counter-intuitive when it comes to 'credit crunch weddings' but I feel it's an important one. I know you're trying to save money but it it possible to take that overboard! Like I said, the photography is quite possibly THE most important part of your wedding, especially when you look back. There are hundreds of amateur and inexperienced 'photographers' out there who are trying their luck as a side income. Judging from their prices alone you'd think you've struck gold. But if you ignore the very cheapest prices that's where you often find the best compromises between price and quality. Your photographer's portfolio should always make you go "wow" - otherwise what's the point of having a wedding photographer?

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