How To Put On A Wedding For Under $5000: Photographer

There are many important facets to a wedding, and for the most part each can be very expensive.

• Bride’s Dress
• Groom’s Tuxedo
• Venue
• Photographer
• Flowers
• Catering
• Cake
• Wedding Reception
• Guest accommodations
• Honeymoon

Fourth of 10 posting series.

Photographer

Begin by shopping around. Look at the advertisements in the area; narrow the prospects to 3 initially, and ask to see entire portfolios from an entire wedding. Make sure the photographer is consistent. Ask for at least 2 references from prior customers. If your first 3 prospects leave you with doubts pick another 3. You will spend a sizeable amount of money, and the outcome will stay with you forever. As an added safety, contact the Better Business Bureau in your region, and ask for a review of the vendor you selected. He or she don't have to be members but if they have had problems with service delivery you will most likely find a record there. Next you have to decide what you are looking for: Do you want traditional photos with formal poses? Or are you looking for someone with an artistic leaning? Take a look at each photographer’s portfolio to see his/her range of ability.

In keeping with the main objective of this posting (small budget). You need to address the following: Do you want just the ceremony photographed? Or do you want pictures of the reception, too? Ask the photographer how long he/she will stay with you and what the rates are. Make sure you totally understand what you are paying for and what the finished product will look like. Since your photographer is being hired for his/her expertise, be sure to give your input, but let the vendor perform the task. after all you don't want to be told that the end product is unsatisfactory because you controlled it all the way. By all means make sure that your well meaning friends and relatives don't interfere with their amateur picture taking while the photographer is performing.

Gauge experience. See if your photographer is familiar with the location. Does he/she know of some good spots to get good angles? Also, if you are working with a studio, get a portfolio and information on the specific photographer you are getting. Some studios like to show the work of their best person and then send over a less experienced photographer once you buy a package. Understand packages. Some photographers do a lot (upload pictures to the Internet, touch up photos, give advice on presentation, etc.) where others snap the pictures, hand you the undeveloped film and take off. Find out what is included in your package and what costs extra. Ask what their backup plan is if your photographer can't attend.

A very good practice is to never pay the full amount before the complete service is rendered. You should always have a balance of at least 20% to pay upon completion. If your vendor insists on full payment up-front keep looking. I remind you once again that the Wedding Industry is being adversely affected by the economic downturn, and many vendors are happy to negotiate their prices. One way to control costs is to limit the amount of time a vendor will be at your event. Your timeline should be tight, and include the ceremony, and the ceremonial functions of the reception (dinner, toast, cake, special dances, bouquet, and garter) within a two to two and a half hour span.

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