We're planning our wedding On A tight Budget
Let's face it: times are hard and weddings aren't cheap.
I know all about planning a wedding on a budget - my own came it at only three figures and most of that was permission to use the local park. So I get it: sometimes tough decisions have to be made.
And one of those decisions is: should we pay for a professional photographer or should we just ask our friend with a fancy camera to take some pictures?
Even as a professional photographer, I'm going to tell you, "Maybe...?"
Personally, I believe that professional wedding photography is worth it to keep your memories safe, but here are some reasons why it might not be for you.
There really is no wiggle room in the wedding budget
If you can't make it work, you can't make it work. Embrace that and accept it. You can always get professional photos for your fifth or your tenth or your twenty-fifth wedding anniversary instead.
Photography isn't a priority for you
If good pictures are a "nice to have" rather than an essential, that's a totally valid decision. There were all kinds of wedding "essentials" my partner and I shocked people by ditching (*waves her ringless finger*). Your priorities are up to the two of you.
But, let's be honest: most of us want to be sure of having ONE good photo from our wedding day, so what do you need to think about before deciding whether to ask a friend?
What Should We Check Before Making This Decision?
If you're considering asking your friend to take your wedding photos, there are some things you need to be sure of first.
Will The Venue Allow It?
I know, I know - your guests will all be snapping away with their phones, but, if you want to have somebody with a big camera standing in the aisle, taking pictures, check with your venue first. Some venues (particularly churches) have strict rules surrounding photography and you will need to have their permission.
Does our friend have the right skills and equipment to photograph our wedding?
If you're trying to keep costs down by having a friend photograph your wedding, there's a good chance you're going for a registry office ceremony.
In Aberdeen, where I am based, the council venues are Marischal College and the David Welch Winter Gardens in Duthie Park. Both are absolutely beautiful venues, but, let me tell you: they both have extremely tricky lighting (you can see them both here)! Make sure your friend is confident about handling direct sunlight, artificial lights and has a high quality lens which can cope with low light conditions.
Ideally, they should also be carrying a back up camera and lens as cameras can - and do! - break down at the most inconvenient times.
Are we confident our friend can take a good picture?
I don't just mean the odd flattering snap on a night out and I DEFINITELY don't mean good photos of inanimate objects. Before agreeing to have your friend photograph your wedding, ask them to take some engagement pictures of the two of you and check that you're happy with the results.
Most wedding photographers start out by photographing friends' weddings. If your friend has decent equipment, knows how to use it and has developed a good eye for a shot, you may well decide to go ahead and pay them in cake.
We really would rather book a professional photographer
There are lots of reasons to book a professional photographer instead of your friend. We have masses of relevant experience which makes us faster and our work more reliable; we have high quality, versatile equipment which will cope with all lighting and weather conditions; we have insurance in case anything goes wrong; and, very importantly, while we love you and hope to stay in touch with you after the wedding, we aren't (yet) your friend, which means we aren't missing out on the party by staying sober and doing the work.
If you know you would like a professional photographer at your wedding, but you can't afford the four figure sums you've seen quoted elsewhere, here are some ways to make that happen.
Ask for photography as a wedding gift
It's not unusual for groups of friends or family members to pay for one part of the wedding as their gift to the happy couple. Sometimes it's a wedding dress or a beautiful cake; sometimes it's a sum of money towards the cost of a honeymoon; sometimes it's the photography.
As long as they understand that you get final say in choosing the photographer who is right for you, allowing the people who love you to pay for your memories can be a great solution (after all, they'll be keen to see the photos, too!).
Arrange for shorter coverage
Many wedding photographers, myself included, offer short coverage packages. Rather than paying for ten hours of photography with all the bells and whistles included, you can pay a considerably smaller price for one or two hours - we will photograph the ceremony and do some formal shots, then you can head off to your reception, safe in the knowledge that somebody there will be taking tipsy phone snaps!
My smallest package is one hour of wedding photography at Marischal College on weekdays (and weekends with less than six weeks notice). I also offer two hour packages at other Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire wedding venues, seven days a week, with the option to add on extra hours as needed. You can read more about my wedding photography packages here.
But Please do be honest
I've seen several articles suggesting people lie to photographers about having "a party" so they get cheaper photography. Don't do this. Just don't. Most photographers charge identical or very similar prices for events and weddings, and very few of us are rolling in the money! We're small business owners, trying to pay our ever-increasing bills with unpredictable and often seasonal work, and most of us do this job because we genuinely want to see you celebrate.
If you're looking for an approachable and affordable Aberdeen wedding photographer (covering most of Scotland's towns and cities), I would love to have a chat. You can find out more about my wedding photography packages here or skip straight to sending me a message.
