written by
Lee Hawley

Wedding Photography - Our Guide to Saving Money

Wedding Photography 3 min read
wedding photography - married couple with confetti
Stunning photos of your big day don't need to cost the earth.

Your wedding is supposed to be the most memorable day of your life. That is why you need someone to capture all the best moments of your wedding. That being said, wedding photographers can be incredibly expensive, and not every couple wants to spend thousands of pounds on their photos. Luckily for you, there are some practical ways in which you can save some money on your wedding photography.

1. Find Someone Within Your Budget

Of course, when you plan a wedding, you need to set a budget so that you know how much you can afford and don’t end up overspending. With a wedding budget in place, you'll be able to narrow down a list of wedding photographers you can afford.

If your budget is tight, then it is recommended that you find newer professional photographers or photography students for cheaper rates. By seeking out photographers who are within your budget from the start, you will not set yourself up for disappointment when you find that your chosen wedding photographer charges a significant amount.

2. Book Your Photographer Early

Many wedding photographers offer discounts for early bookings. Therefore, try to book one as early as you can. Also, wedding photographers’ rates tend to go up significantly once they have established themselves over time. This means that the sooner you secure the rate, the less likely you will have to pay a higher price.

3. Go Digital

Another great way to save money on your wedding photography is to ask about a digital package. With a disc filled with your wedding pictures, you can freely print off the photos whenever you want. This is a much more affordable way to share your photos with your friends and family. You can even email them the files and let them handle the printing themselves. This way, you get to save a lot of money on printing costs as well.

4. Hire Your Photographer For a Shorter Time

wedding photography - a bride and guest posing
Your wedding photographer doesn't need to take all of the photos.

One easy way to reduce your wedding photography costs is to book your photographer for less time. For instance, if you don’t think that you need high-quality pictures from the pre-wedding events, then don’t hire your professional photographer for these.

Your bridesmaids and groomsmen can take these photos for you. If you want to save even more money, you can just have your photographer stay up to the part where you cut the cake. The less time you have your photographer for, the less money you will have to spend on their service.

5. Check If They Offer Referral Discounts

Some wedding photographers offer referral discounts. For example, they will offer discounts on the final payment if you can find someone else to use their services. You can spread the word by sharing pictures on your social media channels, telling your engaged friends about the photographer, or telling other people about family portrait services offered by the photographer.

Conclusion

By following these tips, you can save a considerable amount of money on your wedding photography. This means that you can use the spare money to put into your savings account, or you can even use it to upgrade your wedding dress. Either way, you get to save more!

Are you in need of some professional wedding photography?

wedding photographer - candid photo of married couple
A beautiful candid wedding photo by Lee Hawley.

If you're getting married and want to work with an experienced professional, why not consider Lee Hawley Photography? Lee specialises in beautiful, natural wedding photos and will help make your big day even more special. Contact Lee today and see what he can do for you.

wedding photography tips saving money on wedding photography