How to save money on your wedding photography

The biggest question we hear from couples is ‘ Can we get the wedding photography any cheaper?’

Well, the good answer to that is ‘YES!’, but with a few caveats.

Not everyone either has a fortune to spend on their wedding photos – and that’s fine.  I’m the same - I want it covered, but don’t need every last second documented.

Some of the best weddings we’ve photographed have been the smallest and cheapest.  It’s the feeling surrounding the couple and the quality of the few select guests that has made it epic!

If you are a planning your wedding photography on a small budget, it’s important you figure out what’s most important to you and prioritize that.  Now this post is not about spending less on the important aspects of your wedding so you can spend more on your photographs, but it’s about spending your money wisely.  It’s intended for couples who don’t have a very large budget for their wedding photography but still want to get amazing photographs.

Be realistic

I’m not a cheap wedding photographer, but I am affordable.  When you’re working with a limited budget, you have to be realistic about the price you’re being quoted and what you are likely to get.  For example, if you pay $500 for 5 hours coverage, I’m guessing you’re not going to be getting the best results, probably ending up with a cheaper photographer who hasn’t invested much in their wedding photography equipment.

Instead, look towards a price of around $1000 for 3 - 4 hours of quality photography. Sure, it might not include preparation time at home or even the final dance of the night, but it will get you the key moments you’re hoping for.

Whilst you may not be able to get a good, established photographer to work a full day with a limited budget, you may well be able to get them for a few hours, which will give you a set of strong photos instead of hundreds of half baked ones.

Maybe you forgo the getting ready, first dance etc and instead have someone cover the ceremony and then shoot some amazing portraits of the two you?

Want to save even more money on your weekend wedding?

Don’t have your wedding on weekend!  Host your wedding on a Thursday or Friday and encourage your guests to make the most of it and have a long weekend.  Wedding photographers are rarely busy Monday to Friday so will nearly always offer you a deal on their photography services.

Skip the wedding car

Have you seen the prices of hiring a wedding car?  Wowsers! It’s about half the cost of your wedding photography for just a few hours and nothing to keep afterwards!  Instead, ditch the wedding limousine and put that money towards your photography. An über or smart black car will still get you to where you need to go, but with a little less fuss.

How about saving money on wedding videography?  

Apply the same principles as above or even better, ask your affordable wedding photographer if they have any colleagues they can recommend to you for the day.  They will almost certainly have other videographers they work with who will be able to cut you a deal, especially if it’s a photographer they enjoy working with.

Whatever your budget might be, it’s always a good idea to discuss things with your wedding photographer and let them know what you have and see what they can offer you.  If they love your venue, really want to try out something new with wedding photos or need some new portfolio material, you might be surprised with what they offer you!