Budget Wedding Tips: Pay for Services That Matter
Planning a wedding on a budget is a challenge of priorities. You don't want to -- or can't -- overspend. So there's a need to prioritize the things that matter most to you -- and often, that's the reception you'll share with your family and friends.
But, on the other hand, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you want to remember it forever. And that means good photography -- and, if possible, videography -- and that's expensive, right?
There's no doubt that quality photography and videography services are not cheap. Many publications suggest that a student or other inexperienced but "talented" photographer or videographer can save you thousands (and you're supposed to be able to evaluate their "talent"!). But, what if they don't do a good job -- let alone the great job you're hoping for?
Don't skimp on these key services. Instead, try a little creative budgeting/planning. Many quality photographers offer smaller packages with minimal prints and a modest album -- or no album at all. Opting for the smallest package may allow you to choose a better photographer for much less up-front money. Then, after the wedding, you may find that wedding gifts allow you to upgrade to a better album or more prints -- or, assuming the photographer provides all the negatives (typical in today's digital world, but be sure to ask), you can simply wait and purchase the additional prints and album(s) at a time in the future when you can afford what you really want.
Now, when you discuss this with the photographers you're considering, they'll undoubtedly point out that you'd save more by committing to a larger package up front. And, that's probably true -- but, if you can't afford the larger package now, booking a minimal package may allow you to get your wedding photos taken by the photographer whose work and style you love, and give you the option to purchase the album(s) and prints you want later.
Remember, if you go with a photographer whose work is not up to par -- or whose inexperience prevents him or her from handling the inevitable small (or large) big-day glitches, you'll never be able to recapture those moments. Bottom line: getting the best pictures is more important than getting the biggest package.
Similarly, many brides on a budget eliminate video from their planning altogether. Yet, nothing captures the emotion of the day like quality videography. (Consider one videographer's story of a wedding she recorded -- the bride's father was killed in a car accident the week after her wedding. The wedding video became a lasting record not just of her father's image, but his words on the day he was proudest of, and most happy for, his daughter. Priceless!)
Many brides think that wedding videography is just souped-up home video. Au contraire! Today's professional videographers are more like mini-movie directors. Visit with a few of the best and you won't want to do without this precious remembrance.
Ask videographers whose work you like if they permit paying for their recording services before the wedding, and paying for editing time after. Not all will allow this, but some will -- and that could be the difference between affording a quality wedding video and having none at all. As with photography, you may find that after the wedding that gifts can fund the remaining cost of your video -- or, you can simply wait until you're able to afford it from your own funds.
Don't forget, also, to ask the photographers and videographers you're considering if they have a bridal registry -- more are offering this helpful way to allow your loved ones to contribute to your wedding costs!
But, on the other hand, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you want to remember it forever. And that means good photography -- and, if possible, videography -- and that's expensive, right?
There's no doubt that quality photography and videography services are not cheap. Many publications suggest that a student or other inexperienced but "talented" photographer or videographer can save you thousands (and you're supposed to be able to evaluate their "talent"!). But, what if they don't do a good job -- let alone the great job you're hoping for?
Don't skimp on these key services. Instead, try a little creative budgeting/planning. Many quality photographers offer smaller packages with minimal prints and a modest album -- or no album at all. Opting for the smallest package may allow you to choose a better photographer for much less up-front money. Then, after the wedding, you may find that wedding gifts allow you to upgrade to a better album or more prints -- or, assuming the photographer provides all the negatives (typical in today's digital world, but be sure to ask), you can simply wait and purchase the additional prints and album(s) at a time in the future when you can afford what you really want.
Now, when you discuss this with the photographers you're considering, they'll undoubtedly point out that you'd save more by committing to a larger package up front. And, that's probably true -- but, if you can't afford the larger package now, booking a minimal package may allow you to get your wedding photos taken by the photographer whose work and style you love, and give you the option to purchase the album(s) and prints you want later.
Remember, if you go with a photographer whose work is not up to par -- or whose inexperience prevents him or her from handling the inevitable small (or large) big-day glitches, you'll never be able to recapture those moments. Bottom line: getting the best pictures is more important than getting the biggest package.
Similarly, many brides on a budget eliminate video from their planning altogether. Yet, nothing captures the emotion of the day like quality videography. (Consider one videographer's story of a wedding she recorded -- the bride's father was killed in a car accident the week after her wedding. The wedding video became a lasting record not just of her father's image, but his words on the day he was proudest of, and most happy for, his daughter. Priceless!)
Many brides think that wedding videography is just souped-up home video. Au contraire! Today's professional videographers are more like mini-movie directors. Visit with a few of the best and you won't want to do without this precious remembrance.
Ask videographers whose work you like if they permit paying for their recording services before the wedding, and paying for editing time after. Not all will allow this, but some will -- and that could be the difference between affording a quality wedding video and having none at all. As with photography, you may find that after the wedding that gifts can fund the remaining cost of your video -- or, you can simply wait until you're able to afford it from your own funds.
Don't forget, also, to ask the photographers and videographers you're considering if they have a bridal registry -- more are offering this helpful way to allow your loved ones to contribute to your wedding costs!
