8 Ways to Save on Wedding Photography
A wedding photographer can often cost as much as the wedding gown. You want to make sure you get all the pictures you want, but not sacrifice a hefty chunk of you budget to do so. It takes a little work, but by following these tips, you’re sure to find the best option for your wedding, while saving a bit for the honeymoon.
- Call the art department of your local college or university. Many students will work for much less because they want to build their portfolios.
- Purchase some throw away cameras and ask guests to participate in a photo scavenger hunt.
- Enlist a family member who’s handy with a camera. This way, they get to give you a priceless gift, and you get to choose your favorite photos for your album.
- If you have your heart set on a certain photographer, ask if they’ll shoot just the ceremony, or will work for a certain number of hours, instead of the whole day. This will save you money, because it gives them a chance to book another job that day (i.e. if your wedding is in the morning, they can take on an evening event as well).
- Check out who your friends or coworkers have worked with, then mention their names to whichever photographer you choose. You may get a referral discount, and they may get some free services too!
- If you like a certain photographer’s work, but can’t afford to use them, ask if they have an assistant or associate photographer who will do it for less.
- Opt for a smaller package. You may find you don’t really need the huge wall portrait or 36 wallet-size prints. Also, ask if you can choose options “a la carte”, saving you hassle and useless prints that will only end up in a box in the attic.
- Scour photographer’s websites and ads in local papers and phone books. Many photographers offer up to 20% off their services, just for mentioning their ads!