Step 1: Budget
How do you possibly choose your wedding photographer? There are so many out there, all with different styles, packages, personalities and prices it can be a really difficult task. You only get one wedding day, so you need to get it right. Today we're talking about one of the biggest factors: Budget.
The first step in choosing your wedding photographer is to set yourself a realistic budget. Every couple has a different financial position and overall aim for their wedding. By giving yourself a realistic wedding photography budget you’ll be able to ask the right questions when talking to photographers and narrow down the companies you want to speak to in detail.
What Should Your Budget Be?
Your wedding photography budget can be as little or as large as you’d like, however, it is true that you get what you pay for. (The average UK spend on wedding photography last year was £1500.)
Keep in mind the saying “If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.” If someone is offering you a wedding package at £200, be cautious. There may be a perfectly good reason for such a low price; it could be someone who’s starting up a business, or a student who needs the experience for a course. While this isn’t a reason to write them off from the start, you will need to do your research into their previous work.
Photographers who are just setting up a business, or who are looking for more experience are usually more than happy to talk to you about what they’ve done in the past and why they’re looking for weddings now. They’ll also be happy to show you some of their previous work, even if it’s not wedding related. If they haven’t photographed a wedding before, they will have gained some experience by shadowing another wedding photographer. They might also have a few new ideas of their own to bring to your wedding photography!
On the other hand, prices can also be this low because the package doesn’t actually include any images. Most photographers offer digital copies or an album in their packages at the very least. If someone is charging a surprisingly low amount, check what you get in that package. If it doesn’t include your images, ask how much extra it is to purchase them. The price can quickly creep up, and suddenly your bargain beyond belief is out of your wedding photography budget!
The next step in choosing your wedding photographer is Style. Take a look at our next blog for more tips. Step 2: Style.
At Charlotte Elizabeth Photography we believe that your wedding photography should be beautiful and affordable. Take a look at our Wedding page, our Real Weddings and Wedding FAQ's, or get in touch for more information.