The Top 5 Things to Consider When Hiring a Wedding Photographer

1. Consider Your Timeline

Many wedding planners advise booking your wedding photographer as soon as you decide on a wedding date and venue. A good rule of thumb is to hire your photographer about a year in advance of your wedding date.

2. Consider Style & Connection

Two main factors that can help you make your decision on who to hire for your wedding photography are finding a style you love and being able to connect with your photographer as not just a hired vendor but also as a person. You want to love their work and be able to picture you and your spouse-to-be in the photos. Check out their wedding galleries as well as their social media posts to get an understanding of their style and perspective. The relationship between the couple and photographer is a partnership so it is important that the photographer is someone you have a good connection with and trust to work well with you throughout the whole planning process and wedding day.

“Style & connection is important - You want to love their work and be able to picture you and your spouse-to-be in the photos.”

3. Consider Your Budget

As with all wedding vendors, you need to have an idea of what funds you will have available to cover the cost of the photographer you have chosen. In determining the overall cost of their services you should discuss the types of packages they offer as well as what is included at each tier. Most wedding photographers will offer various packages that include a certain number of hours, engagement photos, a second shooter, prints and albums. Make sure you understand what is included in the quoted price and if there are additional fees for travel costs, overtime hours or shooting other events like the rehearsal dinner. Having a set budget will allow you to gauge whether their services fit within your range.

4. Consider Day of Wedding Details

Your wedding photographer will be by your side through all stages of your big day so you'll want to be sure to communicate your expectations and understand how the wedding day will flow. Will they offer guidance on certain poses or will they focus on shooting more organic, candid shots? Many photographers take photo requests and will discuss which shots are the most important to you. It is essential that the photographers style, energy, and vision matches yours and that you and your partner feel comfortable with the process.

Life can be unpredictable so it is wise to discuss backup plans with your photographer in case of unforeseen circumstances. Ask questions to understand how your photographer will handle any hiccups from the day of the wedding through post-production. Precautions such as having a second shooter, having extra memory cards and saving photos in multiple places.

5. Consider Next Steps

Knowing what to expect from your photographer after your wedding day will give you peace of mind as you excitedly wait for your photos. You'll want to know how long it will take to get your gallery back, if and when you will receive sneak peeks or teasers and how the images will be delivered. Once you have access to your edited photos your photographer can give you guidance on ordering prints and photo albums.

Once you have chosen the perfect photographer for your wedding day next will be to ask what steps are needed to hire them. Details to cover might include asking how far in advance you need to book them, looking over their contract, paying the deposit, reviewing refund and cancellation policies and payment methods. Determine what their preferred method of communication is (email, text messages, phone calls, etc.) so you can easily keep each other in the loop during the planning process.

Your wedding day is one of the most memorable days of your life. The planning process can be a whirlwind of choices but considering your personal style, expectations, and vision for your day and knowing what questions to ask can make your decision easier when hiring a wedding photographer.