Aside from the costs associated with the reception and catering, the wedding photography is likely the next largest investment for planning your Big Day. Most professional wedding planners suggest setting aside 10-15% of your total budget for the wedding photographer and it’s for good reason. With the exception of the vows and rings, it is the only remaining item from your big day that you and your family will cherish for generations to come.
Of course, it is tempting to ask “Uncle Bob” to try out the new camera his wife bought him for Christmas on your wedding as much as it is to not photograph the wedding at all. But, chances are, you will deeply regret the decision once you realize none of your memories were capture in print. Even so, there are a number of ways that you can decrease your photography investment and still have professional captured photos at the end of the day.
Tip #1: Book as Soon as Possible
Reduce your wedding photographer costs by booking as soon as possible. If you recently got engaged and your date is 24 months out, don’t wait! Most wedding photographers will go ahead and book the wedding for you at TODAY’s prices and not factor in inflation. You could literally save hundreds of dollars by not waiting until only 6-12 months before your wedding to find a professional photographer.
Tip #2: Online Photography Gift Registry
Reduce your wedding photographer costs by utilizing the photographer’s online gift registry. Most engaged couples register at one or more brick and mortar stores for their wedding guests to purchase them gifts. Similarly, you can significantly reduce your own wedding photography costs by utilizing your photographer’s photography registry. It is not uncommon for my wedding clients to save $1,000-$1,500 simply by using my photography registry!
Tip #3: Reduce the Coverage
Reduce your wedding photographer costs by booking a professional for fewer hours of coverage on your wedding day. Sure, it would be nice to able to afford having 10 hours of coverage, but it can also be a significant investment. Consider only having the ceremony covered along with the hour before and after to allow for photographs with the wedding party. Many of my engaged couples have been able to lower their investment by more than 70% by using this wedding photography tip alone. Sure, you won’t have professional photography of the entire day, but at least what you have will be of professional quality.
Tip #4: Let Friends and Family Purchase Their Own Prints and Albums
Reduce your wedding photographer costs by letting friends and family browse the online proofing gallery and purchase their own professional prints and albums. Many couples feel obligated to buy additional prints and albums for family; however, allowing them to purchase their own prints will not only lower your personal wedding photography costs, it will ensure they end with the prints they like the best, not ones that you think they will like.
Tip #5: Refer, Refer and Refer
Reduce your wedding photographer costs by referring them to friends and family. Like many professional wedding photographers around the country, my photography clients regularly receive $100 in Print Credits that can be used to purchase a la carte professional prints and canvas gallery wraps from their big day. It is not uncommon for my engaged clients to receive $200-500 in additional a la carte professional prints from their wedding simply by referring me to friends and family!
As you can see, there are a lot of ways to save money on your professional photography. There is no reason you should trust the memories of your Big Day to an amateur photographer … or worse … “Uncle Bob”! What additional suggestions do you have to help couples save money on their wedding photography?
If you are recently engaged and planning a wedding in Metro Detroit or Southeast Michigan, please contact us online using the form below or call 313-883-9500. We would love the opportunity to work with you!
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