Wedding Flowers

Your wedding photographs will be the longest lasting reminder of your wedding day.  Long after the frozen top tier of wedding cake has been eaten,  and as the anniversaries tick by, your wedding photographs will remain in frames and albums as constant reminders of the happy day that you got married.   It is no wonder then, that your wedding photography is one of the most important aspects of your wedding.

Photographs can be formal, posed shots,  or candid images documenting your day. You should spend time thinking about the style of photographs that you want,  and try to find a photographer who you trust to capture the overall feel of your wedding.  You should also choose a photographer who you get along well with,  as they will be sharing some of the most intimate moments of your wedding day, and mingling amongst all of your guests.

Your wedding photography might be one of the top expenses in your budget, and rightly so.  These photographs will last a lifetime, and beyond, so they should be as good as possible.  But there are ways to get great photos on any budget.

Follow these top ten wedding photography tips and hints to save money and get great wedding photographs:

1. Look at as many photographers portfolios as possible.  Don’t be swayed by a fancy studio, or the sheer volume of work.  Everyone has to start somewhere, and a new photographer may be the next Annie Leibowitz without the price tag.
2. Ask friends and family.  If you are really doing your wedding on a shoestring budget, then ask friends and family if they have any experience with photography.  You might just find a keen amateur amongst your guest list who would be thrilled to do your photographs for you.
3. Limit the time your photographer is hired for.  Many photographers charge by the hour, or by a package that is split into before, during and after the wedding.  Trim your costs by only hiring him for an essential period of time, such as the ceremony.
4. Don’t be forced into upsells.  Decide both on your budget, and the number of images you will want, and don’t be persuaded into purchasing more than you can afford.  Your photograph will keep your negative on file for a limited time, so you can always re-order more prints later.
5. Spread the cost by paying for a photography package in instalments.  You may be able to secure the date with a deposit, and then make payments on a regular basis to pay off the balance.  Similarly, ask your photographer about purchasing larger images, or luxury photo products on layaway.
6. Ask family members and wedding guests to pay for their own prints.  While this may sound mean, you want to spend your photography budget on hiring a great photographer and purchasing prints for yourself.  While it is a common tradition for the bride and groom to buy prints for members of the wedding party, the costs can soon rack up.
7. Pass the buck!  Disposable cameras are a great, cheap way to get lots of shots from your wedding.   Pass out cameras to all of your wedding guests and ask them to click away.  While the average shot may not be to the same standard as a professional photographer, you may find a few gems.  The more photographs you have to choose from, the more likely you will be to get some really great shots.
8. Go digital.  Digital cameras have the ability to view and erase pictures immediately, meaning no waste.  You will only pay for the processing and printing of the good images, if developing your own cameras.  Choosing a digital photographer also means that you may be able to get images on a CD or digital album online, giving you more images for your money.
9. Get it in writing.  Don’t get caught out with hidden expenses or costs.  Make sure the photographer is clear on what you will receive for your money.  You should also look into all of his prices in advance.  While his fee may be cheaper than others, the cost of his prints might be higher to compensate.
10. If you have your heart set on a mahogany revolving photo box,  or a glossy printed book of your wedding images,  then why not ask your wedding guests to make a donation to your photography fund, instead of bringing a gift?  Ask your photographer if he supplies gift vouchers, or can put credit on to an account for you to apply towards your photographs.

Stick to these photography tips and hints to save money on your wedding photography but still end up with a great collection of images.

Websites:

1. www.frugalbride.com
2. www.shutterfly.com
3. www.weddingphotousa.com