Wedding Photography 101

Immortalize your wedding day

memories that can last a lifetime

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Find out the best questions your photographer wants you to ask!

Wedding Photography 101

Immortalize your wedding day

memories that can last a lifetime

DOWNLOAD OUR PHOTOGRAPHER CHECKLIST HERE

Find out the best questions your photographer wants you to ask!

Share your wedding day memories

When you sign on with a wedding photographer, you aren't just hiring someone to take pictures. You are entrusting them to capture what will end up being your memories of the day you were joined with the love of your life in matrimony.

There are different levels when it comes to wedding photos. Finding a photographer that understands this and has the skills to go deeper will result in a wedding album that sparks joy for the rest of your life.

Big Mistake #1: Not Sticking to Your Wedding Budget

Before you can make your magical wedding dream a reality, there needs to be a wedding budget. Wedding budgets are often looked over during the planning process, but you still need to work out the details of a budget before you begin.

The “how much are you going to spend?” question is part of every prospective bride’s narrative. And while you likely aren’t deciding by yourself, it is still one aspect of a wedding that can get out of hand very quickly. If you aren’t disciplined and aren’t paying attention, costs can skyrocket, and this kind of stress won’t end when the sun sets on your wedding day.

Set a Wedding Budget and Stick to It

Setting a budget isn’t necessarily a challenge for most people, but the “stick to it part” is another matter entirely.

If you find that you are continually upgrading elements of your wedding because it’s a once in a lifetime thing or it’s your dream, you may blow through the budget long before everything is completed.

It’s essential to come up with a figure that won’t put you and your new spouse in debt right from the start. Make an overall budget, and then allocate funds to different areas, so you can easily keep track of what you’ve been spending.

Open Communication All the Way

During the wedding planning process, one of the most significant points of contention between couples is often the wedding budget.

One thinks it should be a simpler wedding to save because you’ll still be just as married as anyone else. At the same time, the other person wants an opulent and extravagant event because this is their once in a lifetime day to celebrate their union.

There is no right or wrong answer, but it is wise to communicate openly throughout the process to avoid conflict and have the best wedding for both of you. This is also an excellent opportunity to practice how you will handle finances in your married life.

Give it a Trim, if Necessary

The “when in doubt, cut it out” principle probably won’t apply to most aspects of your wedding, but there should be some areas that can be trimmed without affecting the overall feel of the wedding. This is especially true if you encounter additional expenses that might take you over your budget.

Have a Slush Fund Built into the Budget

There is no doubt that you will encounter unexpected expenses while planning your wedding. It is inevitable, and it is also something you can expect in the beginning.

When you create your budget, have some extra built-in for incidentals because it’s never a good idea to try and budget down to the penny. A built-in slush fund will relieve stress, and if you don’t end up using it, you’ll have some extra once the wedding is over.

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The Value of a Good Wedding Photographer

Every shot is a moment in time, captured for all eternity, and with the right photographer, these captured moments will tell your wedding story the way you want it.

It's All About Trust

Even more important than their experience, their impressive portfolio, or raving testimonials is the ability to establish trust and rapport with your wedding photographer.

Usually, you will know early in the initial consultation if you are willing to put your trust in this person or team to get the right photos at the right time. Once you find that perfect fit, you need to trust them from that point forward.

It would be best if you were realistic about things like the time of day, the lighting, and the venue and trust that your photography team will make it happen.

Should You Have 1 or 2 Photographers & Videographers?

There could be a decent argument either way when it comes to having one or two photographers and videographers. Budget is a common reason to stick with one, or you may feel that having more than one is just overkill and unnecessary. If you are on the fence, it will help to sit down with your photographer and videographer and listen to the pros and cons of each.

Naturally, you can create a perfectly good wedding album with just one photographer, but having two will tell a more in-depth story with more texture and layers. The same is true of having two videographers.

A second photographer and videographer can spend more time with the groom, capture the audience's reactions to specific parts of the wedding, and get candid shots that would be missed if you used only one.

Navigating a Rainy Wedding Day

Rain on your wedding day is always possible, and a source of anxiety for many brides-to-be. And despite what you may read, just "making the most of it" isn't necessarily the best way to go.

At Lotus Weddings, our agreement states that we will go back out with you on a beautiful day to capture those outdoor wedding shots you couldn't get due to inclement weather.

A good wedding photographer will take control of the situation and make sure you get the shots you want, keeping all of your wishes and dreams in mind while making it happen.

This is your wedding story, after all, and you shouldn't have to settle for anything less than the best.

Essential Factors to Consider About Your Wedding Photos

Once you know which photographer will be in charge of photographing the biggest day of your life, you can turn your attention to other aspects of your wedding photos. It's true that a great photographer will have a vision and is probably going to be right most of the time, but it's still your wedding, and your input is crucial.

Choosing Locations

There will be many candid shots of your wedding and reception that will add depth to your wedding album, but your couple's portraits and bridal party photos are another story. These photos will be enhanced and taken to another level with a great backdrop.

Having just the right backdrop can turn nice looking pictures into a work of art that captures the true essence of the day and you as a couple.

Some of the things to consider when choosing locations for your photos include:

- Your proximity to the reception

Your personality, what you like and dislike
Your partner's personality, what they like and dislike
The overall look and feel you want the photos to have
How many different "looks" you want to have in the photos
Whether you need a permit or not
How much time you have allotted
The time of year

To First Look or Not to First Look?

The first look or first reveal photos are a standard part of many weddings, but they don't necessarily need to be part of yours if you don't want them to be.

There are many pros and cons to having first reveal shots done, and it's really up to you whether you decide to incorporate them into your wedding day.

For some, it helps relieve stress and removes some of the pre-wedding jitters, while others believe it takes away some of the mystery and excitement of seeing each other for the first time at the ceremony.

A first look will help get the bride and groom images out of the way and get you, your family, and your bridal party to your cocktail hour, so take some time to talk it over with your photographer before making a decision.

How Far in Advance Should I Book?

If your goal is to have the best possible photographers working at your wedding, then you need to assume they are busy and heavily booked. As with any professional, high-quality wedding photographers are in demand, which means their schedules are likely full into the foreseeable future.

At Lotus Weddings, we like our clients to book between 12 and 18 months before the wedding. It may be possible to wiggle around that timeline a little, but 12 to 18 months gives us the time to create a definite timeline and overall plan to ensure you get what you want.