A wedding is always one of the most sacred moments in life—at least for most people. While sacred, the preparation process can sometimes become messy, often caused by a lack of attention to detail, poor choices in services, or carelessness. There are many things to prepare before walking down the aisle, and one of the most important is photography. Wedding photography is not just ordinary photography. It has a long-term impact because wedding moments will never repeat themselves (unless, of course, you end up marrying someone else someday!).
If you’re planning to get married in the next few months, booking a wedding photography service should be considered at least two months in advance. That will give you enough time to choose, compare, and make any special requests (if you have them).
If you live in a big city, your task will be much easier. For example, in New York City, finding and selecting wedding photographers in New York City is much easier than in a small town like Tubac, Arizona.
So, what should you do?
The answer: start looking as soon as possible—ideally two or three months before the big day. In this article, I’ll walk you through several key points you need to keep in mind when selecting among multiple wedding photography services to find the best one. Keep reading!
Okay, let’s go point by point!
Know Your Real Needs
Are you planning a grand wedding with a specific theme? Or just a simple, intimate wedding in a beautiful garden? Or maybe a traditional, sacred church wedding? Your needs will determine the right photographer. If you’re not clear about what you actually need, instead of finding the right photographer, you might end up with one who isn’t competent for your type of wedding.
There are many types of photography specializations, and photographers who usually work outdoors are often less skilled indoors. However, of course, there are always professionals who are equally good no matter where they shoot.
Prepare Your Budget
Budget plays a big role. If you have a large budget—say, $10,000—you’ll have a lot of freedom. Many wedding photography services will be available to you. But if your budget is under $2,000, you’ll need to be more selective. You have to choose an affordable yet still high-quality service.
I once had a wedding on a tight budget, and everything turned out perfectly, including photography and videography. Back then, I found Wezoree, an online wedding service platform that offers many different providers. If you’re curious, visit their official site and check out the services they offer. You can start comparing them with similar providers in terms of price, service speed, and quality.
If Possible, Choose a “Service Package”
What this means is that sometimes photography services are bundled into one package. The total cost is usually cheaper than paying for each service separately. With a wedding photography package, you’ll also know exactly how much you need to pay in the end and how many spots you can choose. Pick the package that best matches your needs and budget.
Meet With Your Photographer at Least Twice
At a minimum, you should meet your photographer face-to-face at least twice. The purpose is to align expectations so they fully understand your needs, vision, and budget. This is an important part of the preparation.
If you skip this step, there’s a good chance your photographer (and their team) will be confused and only work “by procedure,” which may not match your actual wishes. After all, you can’t control their work on your wedding day, right?
These are the key points you need to consider when choosing a wedding photography service. Hopefully, this article is clear and helpful.
