Photography Decisions

For us, we wanted to make sure that we could get a package deal for photography and videography from one company. Our biggest thing is what photography style and what videography style did we want?? We searched a few companies and checked our their portfolios. We based everything on what styles we wanted first and then did process of elimination by price. Be sure to see what all your package entails and don't be afraid to ask questions.

Sometimes it's worth the few extra dollars. Next, we set up phone calls with the small list to get a vibe from them. Were they funny, too serious, too high strong, too pushy, seemed awkward, etc. After that, we debated and that's how we made our choice. You want amazing work, more bang for your buck and also to make sure that your vendors won't seem standoffish or intimidating.

Good luck!

Choosing a photographer was the vendor decision we spent the most time on. I think it makes sense, because the photos are the only things (other than the spouse and rings) that you'll still have after the day is over.

My parents were doing the research on this one and they also had a ton of opinions. I can't even tell you how many portfolios we went through. In the end, we narrowed it down to the photographer from my now brother-in-law's wedding and the one from a close friend's wedding. We chose the person who did our friend's wedding and she took our engagement photos. They came out great and we were really comfortable with her, so I'm confident we made a good choice. Then COVID happened and our plans changed. Our original photographer is still going to do our postponed reception, but she wasn't comfortable coming to our miniwedding. (I wouldn't want anyone to potentially risk their/family's health for the sake of our wedding so I'm not annoyed with her at all, but it was just one more thing to figure out.)

The second time, I had to figure it out and I needed to find someone with a lot less notice. I have a friend who has become a photographer somewhat recently and I like her Instagram pictures, so I asked her if she would take the photos for our miniwedding. Fortunately, she was available (I figured she would be since she was invited to the originally planned wedding on the same date, but still) and willing to take our pictures. I used to live with her, so we knew we would be comfortable with her. We only got married two weeks ago, so we don't have all of the pictures back yet, but I LOVE the ones from our preview gallery!

I'm sure some of the other photographers we considered would also have done a good job, and it's obviously important that the person you choose is actually good at taking pictures in your preferred style. But I also think it's really important that you and your person get along with them and can communicate efficiently with them. You want to be able to look at your pictures and remember how happy you were, but you also want to look your best in the photos. No one looks their best (or happiest) when they're talking to someone they wish they didn't have to be around. We didn't/don't have a videographer because I have no interest in having a wedding video. I feel like they won't spend as much time talking to you because they'll be filming, but you would still want to be comfortable with them. Don't factor the potential meal cost into your decision. You probably wouldn't reject a dress or a ring over $30, so it doesn't make sense to do that with a photographer.

If you have any friends or relatives whose wedding pictures you like, ask them for recommendations. If you don't, definitely try to meet with photographers before you hire them. That definitely applies to the one recommended by the venue. They have the advantage of being familiar with the venue, but you still want to make sure you like them personally.

Photography was the most important thing to me as we were choosing our vendors. We met with a few different photographers. My fiance and I both love the style of the pictures taken by the photographer we hired, which is why we initially setup a meeting with him. He is also super easy to work with, ended up being in our price range, and my fiance and I both felt that he would be the best photographer for us to hire.


We also looked at options for videographers, and ended up not hiring one. We just didn't like what the available videography packages offered for the price, and couldn't find one that we both wanted to hire, so we didn't. We ended up using some of the money we budgeted for the videographer towards upgrades to our photography package instead.

I wouldn't take the meal cost into consideration for choosing your vendors. I suggest looking at: total pricing (are they in your price range? Do they offer a good deal for the price?), quality of work/portfolio (do you like their style of work?), and whether or not they seem like they'd be easy to work with. I also strongly suggest setting up meetings (if you can't meet in person, request either a video chat or phone call) with potential vendors before choosing to who to book.

Do you know any photographers, or anyone you trust who knows photography?

This was something I didn't even know where to start, but a friend's husband is in the business (and ... kinda famous), so he very helpfully gave us a list of names, and we went from there.

Sometimes, you punt and use your network.

I would search around for photographers and make sure you pick the best one within your budget. The $30 meal is just another drop in the bucket and won't make or break your wedding day like pictures you are unhappy with. Have you looked the this preferred photographers portfolio?