Budgeting For Your Dream Wedding Photographer (And Why It's Important) | Jacksonville, Florida Wedding Photographer

"We really love your work, but you're just not in our budget!"

I can't even tell you how many times wedding photographers hear this. Brides can be totally in love with your work, spend days conversing back and forth with you, and then when you send them your prices they run like the wind {usually without any response at all}. 

More often than not, these brides usually resort to booking a photographer who is on the cheaper end of the spectrum {and usually less experienced}, someone they haven't done much research about {and don't end up liking their style or personality}, or even have a friend or family member photograph the day. While all of these may sound like the easier and better way to go financially, the end results can be...less than satisfying. 

Professional, experienced wedding photographers can easily be one of the priciest vendors {if not the priciest} on your list of those to consider, and that can be intimidating {and even make a bride want to put the photographer on the back burner}. But you know what? Wedding Photography is an investment and a luxury, and it's so important to view it that way! While all of the pieces of your big day may seem detrimental to your wedding being perfect, just remember this...the flowers, the cake, the decorations, the food...while they each play an important role in the moment, they won't last much longer than that one day. The flowers will die, the food & cake will be inhaled, the decorations will be thrown out. But your wedding photos? Now those will last FOREVER.  

"There are so many vendors I need to hire...how do I make sure I'll have enough money to book everyone?"

So you've got your list of vendors you'll need: venue, cake, food, alcohol, entertainment, etc. Here's what you should do now, before booking or paying for anything! Take some time to sit down with your fiancé and arrange each vendor in order from "MY WEDDING CAN'T GO ON WITHOUT THEM!" all the way to "It's ok if we don't break the bank on this particular vendor". Once you have your list, it's time to BUDGET. Make sure you have the money for the vendors you want the most, and book them first! Don't book everyone all willy nilly, and then get to that amazing, must have vendor down the road and realize you don't have enough money left. Hind-sight can make you want to kick yourself, trust me.

Choosing your wedding photographer is like choosing your wedding dress

Not only is budgeting important, but research is also! It's like choosing your wedding dress...you don't buy the first one you try on, right? You try on several {ok, maybe hundreds} at a few different bridal shops before finding the perfect dress. It should be the same when choosing your wedding photographer. Just because their work is great, doesn't mean they're a great fit. Talk to them, meet with them, ask them questions, be totally IN LOVE with their work AND their personality. You are going to be spending A LOT of time with your wedding photographer. Consults, phone calls, your engagement session, and up to 10 hours (maybe even more) on your wedding day...no one wants to spend that much time with someone they don't like (amma right?)

I was able to connect with one particular bride who says she didn't do the necessary research before booking her wedding photographer and definitely regrets it. She shares her experience below:

"My biggest regret with us not doing more research on a photographer was that we really only went off of a word-of-mouth suggestion from two couples. Word to the wise, you get what you pay for!...our photos are so bland...My husband and I aren't models and we aren't completely comfortable just posing in front of a camera. {The Photographer} gave us no guidance and just stood there taking our photos. You can really feel the awkwardness when looking at our pictures now, 5 years later...It was poor planning on my part. I should've researched more photographers, but we had a quick engagement and didn't do it. Unfortunately, those pictures are all I have of that day and I don't love them".

Follow your instincts when choosing your vendors. If they give off a bad vibe, run! But if you are lusting after their talent, they are worth true consideration (and probably every penny). Balance, budget, research, and most importantly, enjoy the process, knowing you've chosen the perfect vendors for your Big Day! Oh, and congratulations!