What Do You Pay for Wedding Services???
 

I am in the midst of choosing a photographer for my wedding & have narrowed it down to 2 different ones. The first one does great work & his pricing starts at $1500 & up to $3000 depending on the package I want. The second set of photographers do phenomenal work & have previously shot at the location where my wedding is to be held. They are more pricey with packages that start from $1700 & up to $8000. The package they have that I want is $3500.
I am of the firm belief that you get what you pay for & have heard horror stories of bad photography so I want someone that will get the shots I want as well as other random ones that will make a classy album.
Everyone I talk to seems to think that paying $3500 for wedding photography is ridiculous. My fiance's family (especially his mom) don't seem to understand why I would want the photographer to get pictures prior to the start of the ceremony like ones of us getting ready.

My question is what is reasonable for wedding photography? I like the first guy & he's definitely my 2nd choice but I love the other photographers & their work & I think they are worth the money but am I being stubborn?
As for who's paying, it's a combined effort between my sisters who think the price is ridiculous. I am guessing that if I really want the photographers whose work I like, I'm going to have to pay for it myself.
Any comments and/or advice? PLEASE HELP!

I know wedding photos can be expensive in general. But maybe get the following if you haven't already...

Ask for references: The guy's pictures could be fabulous, but his business ethics could be a different story. Testimonials, past customers, etc.

Ask yourself what kind of photos you want: Why do you like the $3500 package? Does the photographer use all sorts of groovy angles or are all the shots dead on? I know the more creative the shots, and the more abstract, the higher the price. I guess it depends on what kind of style you want in your album? Personally, as long as the lighting is good and the pictures are clear and the colors are vibrant (or the contrast in b/w is good), but you don't want too many of the "photo in the mirror" or "blurry background scene" shots, go with the less abstract one.

If going with the "abstract:" make sure he/she excels in both portraits AND scene shots.

And really grill him. Make sure he's got a rep for being punctual, will have plenty of film on site (hell make him write down how many he's bringing), when he starts charging, by the hour if after a certain time? Is he flexible with your needs as the bride... or does he have a set idea of what your pictures should look like. Will he listen to you? The basics.

Also, what does the "package" include? Besides the time, see how each package varies in content. Do you get a zillion 8 x 10s and nothing else? Compare/contrast the product you'll get.

Of course, this is coming from someone who may be hiring one of her photo-saavy sisters to do her photography.

I would agree with everything that Chideltjen said. You can never have too many references. Also, ask about the last wedding he did, he could give you referrences from years ago.

Since I am not familiar with costs in California, I cant really say if $3500 is too much. How many photographers have you spoken to? I spent about $1000 for my photographer, but that was in Chicago and was about 8 years ago. However, I had 2 photographers taking pictures at the same time. It all comes down to what is important to you. At my wedding, my invitations were the most important. I spent more on them then I did on my dress, veil and shoes combined. These pictures will be with you for a lifetime so you should get the photographer that you want. You can always economize on something else.

Or--figure out exactly what you like about the pictures and see if a less expensive photographer can take the same type of shots.

Wedding Coordinator checking in...

Photography is a very expensive option, but in my opinion, these are the memories that we will keep forever -- why skimp here?

Skimp on flowers - NO ONE will remember your flowers. They will remember the food and the cake. They may remember what the bride looked like if they are close to you.

Also, a wedding coordinator, although it may seem like an additional expense, is a good investment. If you get a qualified person that has experience in your town, she should be able to get you discounts on services. I have a few vendors that I recommend exclusively, and they offer discounts to my couples because of my repeat business with them. Plus, I know they are reputable, and if there was a problem, it would be fixed.

Back to pictures - price, unfortunately, will not determine the best photographer. Ask for references - and then ask those people if they will meet with you and show you their albums. ALWAYS good to see someone else's album - the demo albums the photographers show are of course going to be perfect - they are most likely using models, and they are using high quality pictures to display.

Negatives - a good photographer should be willing to sell you the negatives at a reasonable price. They don't need them - after a year or so, they will probably ditch them. Negatives are great to have because a) after you buy a package, you can get your own duplicates made; and b) keep them in a safe-deposit box so if you should have a house fire, heaven forbid, they will be safe.

Check with the Better Business Bureau also - see if there are any complaints or pending issues with the company.

Your photographer should only shoot your wedding on that day. You don't want a double booked event -- and they should have an assistant with them that can serve as a backup should something happen to the photographer (you'd be surprised how many fall at a wedding and end up going to the hospital). You also want to make sure that they are using multiple cameras - no less than two - should one malfunction.

DO NOT be afraid to ask for discounts if you are purchasing a large package, or for a discount on an extra hour or two if you are booking for a large amount of time.

You will want before pictures - the rehearsal, getting ready, etc. so that is a definite. Also, have a list typed up and printed off for the photographer so that you don't forget anyone. I know this sounds silly - even being a wedding coord, I still forgot to have a picture made with my favorite aunt. You'll be busy and you won't think of these things at the time.

Finally - have your photographer kick everyone out after the ceremony, when all the group shots, etc. are done. Just have about 15 min alone-time with your husband for shots. These will probably end up being your favorite - I found it to be a great time to de-stress from all the hoopla and enjoy being Mrs. AXO Alum for a few minutes before heading to the reception.

I know this is a lot, but I am trying to help you get the most for your buck.

And, sad to say, this is YOUR wedding, and you should be happy - not worrying about what so-and-so says. When all is said and done, these will be your memories.

Let me know if I can be of more help!

To add:

I know this may sound taboo, but one of my meeting planning classes mentioned a brief tip about wedding photos. Take your pictures before the ceremony. Yes yes I know... he will see you in the dress before the wedding... BUT in my professor's defense, she mentioned that getting everyone together before the ceremony is a whole lot easier than trying to find the party after the wedding, when everyone is on their way out to the reception... or downing booze. And the dress will stay cleaner for those pics.

But you seem like someone that can strike up a deal. See if you can negotiate something.

Oh and a wedding planner in those final two weeks is a good idea. The last thing you want to worry about on your wedding day is if the flowers were properly arranged in the church/event hall and your caterers are all set up. Let someone else worry about that. Although people do it.

My $.02

Co-sign!

We spent about $500 for photography, and I think another $500 for videography. Definitely make certain that you can buy your negatives at a later date!


I wish that we had a "real" wedding coordinator to help out the last two weeks! We had to have one that was approved by the facilities we were using, and her deal was basically there to make certain the church rules were followed, etc. No great help at all. When we got married, we were getting married in my hometown, and not where I was living. Most of the details were being taken care of through endless trips home. My mom had done all of the flowers for the church and the wedding cake as well. I thk if we had a coordinator, the whole decorating thing would have gone easier as well. Instead of having all the people who promised they would help, one person was there to help mom. Then, as Mom was getting ready to leave the reception site, the van had a flat tire, so she had to call dad to come change it. This was at 11:30 a.m. and the wedding was at 2:00. I am so grateful for all that she did, but wow, it would have been easier for her.

All the advice is great. As far as price, I'm in NY and I just paid $2600 which included 2 photographers from 1:30pm to 12am, the leather album with 36 photos, and my proofs. All other pics are additional - though since I have the proofs I don't think I'll need that many. That is the mid-high side of average here.

I ended up picking this team becase they are the brother and sister-in-law of some good friends. I had met them before and knew the kind of people they were and I was very comfortable with them -- I felt I could easily voice my concerns/needs/wants. You don't have to know someone personally to feel that way, but I think it's VERY important to feel that way with the photographer.

And price does not always mean best. My reception location was along a strip where about 5 other spots were. My place doesn't have a ton of fancy packages - just a basic one which also happened to be the cheapest of all the places. It's not as glitzy and "polished" as them either. However, the food was amazing and the service extraordinary and people have not stopped raving about the wedding.

So, really consider the cheaper option is someone else if paying. OR, if you MUST have the more expensive one, then offer to pay the difference.

Good luck!!!