Money Monday: Wedding Photography

Take a snapshot of this Money Monday because we’re talking all things wedding photography! Every bride wants to hire a photographer that will beautifully capture their big day, but you shouldn’t have to raise your budget to get quality photos. On average, hiring a photographer can cost $2,400, but that price can increase depending on their hourly rate and whether they will be charging transportation costs. Even if you have a certain photographer in mind for your big day, make sure you set a budget first. Then see if they would fit into that plan. Here are a few ways to save hundreds of dollars on your wedding photographer!

Start Early

Start your search for a wedding photographer early! We’re talking as soon as you book a wedding venue or maybe even before. Most photographers will offer discounts for couples that book early. This allows you the time to evaluate all of the photographers within your budget. Make sure to compare not only price but also quality and style to see who would be the best match for the kind of photos you’re looking for.

Photography by Fabiana Skubic Photography

Use Time Wisely

It’s tempting to want to capture every moment of your wedding, but the truth is you only need your photographer for about 8-10 hours. This would allow them to capture some pre-wedding events, the ceremony, and the first half of your reception. Most of the significant events and portraits happen within that time frame and it would cut a few hours and hundreds of dollars off your overall tab.

Photography by The Thompson Photography Group

Hire Local

Hiring a local photographer is usually the best way to go. Not only will it allow for you to meet with your photographer or have a potential test-run shoot, but it can also save you a lot of money. If you hire a photographer that has to travel significantly for your wedding, it is likely they will add their transportation costs to their overall tab. Airfare alone could cost you an extra $200-$300 on top of their hourly rate.