Not all Pros are Created Equal

Not Everyone Who Owns a Fancy Camera is a Pro Photographer Home-based photographers are able to charge less because of less overhead. The cost of rent and hiring employees at a large studio must be made back by charging a lot more to the bride and groom. While their services may be justifiable, it may not be so justifiable in your overall budget. Keeping this in mind, look for a freelancer or someone who operates from home to avoid paying someone elses overhead.

Add-on Services

TIP - Ask for Add-On Services AFTER the Wedding if Possible

Realize that at the same time you're preparing your budget, you'll probably want and need to spend extra money for albums and portraits for both families. In any case, you're probably going to spend more than you originally planned, but you'll be doing it because you like the pictures so much, you WANT to buy the extras. The bottom line is not necessarily how much you end up spending on photographs. Instead, its how much pleasure you get from them over the years. Some photographers will let you purchase add ons like reprints, wall hangings and albums after the wedding is over.

This may help to free up cash that you can use toward the other items in your budget. Ask the photographer if you can buy a basic package and then upgrade after the wedding. Or, ask for a price list for albums, reprints and accessories.