Want to save money on wedding photography? You can make beautiful memories on any budget. Just know when to cut corners and when to buckle down and make an investment. Beautiful photos can be achieved on almost any budget if you’re willing to be flexible. Let this be your wedding photography guide.

Do Book a Professional Wedding Photographer
Budget wedding photography doesn’t mean skipping a professional photographer altogether. Wedding photos create lasting keepsakes and immortalize your special day. When developing your wedding budget, leave room for some form of professional photography.

Do Hire a Local Wedding Photographer
Make sure your photographer doesn’t need to travel. Travel costs add significant fees to wedding photography packages. Search local vendors or ask friends and family for personal recommendations. Some local wedding photographers work with apprentice and student photographers who can shoot your wedding at a discounted rate.

Do Ask About Specials and Savings
After searching for a local wedding photographer, ask about wedding photography packages. Find out if the photographer offers any specials or discounted rates in the off-season. Find out what deluxe packages include. You may find that you don’t need many of the extras, such as an additional photographer, extra time, highly edited photos or print packages. If that’s the case, look into budget packages.

Do Be up Front About Your Budget
When you contact a wedding photographer, be up front about what you’re able to spend. If your budget doesn’t align with any of the photographer’s options, he or she will let you know, and you can move on. Don’t take it personally if a photographer isn’t able to cut you a deal.

Do Approach Wedding Photography Creatively
Unable to purchase a high-end photography package for your wedding? Consider booking a photographer only for the ceremony or group photos directly after the ceremony. Skip the reception to cut costs. Coordinate with your bridal party and family to get in as many posed shots as possible in the allotted time. If you prefer a photojournalism style, skipped posed shots altogether and hire a photographer to shoot only your wedding preparations or your ceremony.

Don’t Hire a Friend to Take Pictures
First of all, your wedding guests should be able to enjoy the ceremony and reception without having special duties such as taking photographs. Beyond this element of etiquette, remember that even photography fans and hobbyists lack the training and professional equipment needed to capture beautiful wedding photos. Indoor ceremonies and dimly lit receptions are particularly difficult to shoot without proper training. Let your friends enjoy your wedding and stick with a pro.

Don’t Disregard Equipment and Editing
When researching wedding photography prices, remember that photographers invest in some serious equipment. In addition to the lenses, lights and gear needed to take professional photos, photographers must have high-end computers and editing software at their disposal. These tools are part of the investment you make when you work with professionals.

Don’t Pre-Order Prints
Save money by ordering only a few prints. Digital photography allows your prints to be available essentially forever. No more worrying about negatives. Look for photographers who will allow you to keep digital copies of your photos. At that point, share them online or invest in prints later when you’re able to budget for them.

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