Post # 1
Member
2205 posts
Buzzing bee
I was blessed because I never had to do any hunting for our photographers…we knew who we wanted right away (at least I did, and informed FI). And because they’re friendors and have never shot a wedidng–(though they have an up and coming, busy little photography business)–they’re shooting our wedding as a gift!
Once I was plugged into Weddingbee, I realized how much wedding photography really costs! I know I am so blessed to have found *affordable photography (*we plan to pay our friendors an honorary gift of thanks…so it’s not completely free)
How much did you budget for photography initially? Did you spend more than you thought you would for the perfect photographer, or did you find a photographer to fit in your budget?
Post # 3
Member
596 posts
Busy bee
We set up our budget first and then only looked at photographers within that range. We didn’t want to get tempted by really pricey photographers we couldn’t afford! Our pictures ended up looking great so we’re happy that we didn’t spend more than we could afford. Although we are a bit atypical because photography wasn’t a huge priority for us, so I was okay with great pictures and not super-fantabulous-supermodel-magazine-like pictures.
Post # 4
Member
443 posts
Helper bee
My fiance and I are trying to host our wedding for under $6,000. THat being said photography was probably my hardest find! I’m a photographer just starting out, so while good photography is extremely important to me, I can’t afford it either!!
Most of the photographers I LOVED were half, if not our entire budget! I finally found our photographer after seeing photos she shot on another wedding blog and I emailed her immediately. We set up a meeting and I booked her on the spot. We were able to book her for $1350 and I know she’ll be great! If I hadnt found her, I probably would be doing the photography myself with a few friends helping.
Post # 5
Member
6009 posts
Bee Keeper
We set a $2000 budget for photography, and only slightly exceeded that ($2250). We won a free engagement shoot at a bridal fair, and after meeting with that photographer, I couldn’t imgaine having anyone else do it! Luckily, he was willing to come down quite a bit to fit into our price range.
Post # 6
Member
2022 posts
Buzzing bee
My mom was really set on our photographer (who did my sister’s wedding). He is awesome. He’s pricey (6K) but it comes with engagment pics, two shooters, 7 hours of photography, our album, online hosting, and some other pictures printed out.
Post # 7
Member
445 posts
Helper bee
Total package for my photographer was $5,600. He was completely worth it! We got him from the time I started at my salon and they were the last to leave the reception with my husband and I. Along with my photographer, a second photographer met my husband at the hotel and stayed for the entire day. I got my digital negatives and a 60 image Queensbury album along with a coffee table book of our proofs. We had over 700 images to pick from as well as a $400 print credit included in our package. After everything was said and done, we got a bargain!
Post # 8
Member
818 posts
Busy bee
Actually, my Fiance and I are very blessed to have my grandparents paying for our photography. 
Post # 9
Member
405 posts
Helper bee
Originally I wanted to go the Friendor route too, but just couldn’t do it b/c the friend in question tends to be a flake. We’re paying about $300 more for someone we’ll have a written contract with so it’s worth it to us.
Post # 10
Member
2725 posts
Sugar bee
Wowza! Photography is soooo expensive! We’re actually going to come in under $700 and that gets us a lot and is about half of what I had expected to pay. Found her through my hairstylist and she’s just starting out so we’re getting a good deal.
Post # 11
Member
7082 posts
Busy Beekeeper
A lot, but worth every penny!
Post # 12
Member
297 posts
Helper bee
We paid about $2300 on photography. Lucky for us, she was referred to us by some friends and we got a referral discount! With that we got: 2 shooters from 1 hour getting ready to 4 hours into the reception, our negatives, a 40 page album and some prints. She did an amazing job!
Post # 13
Member
7431 posts
Busy Beekeeper
We’re paying $1800 for 2 shooters, unlimited locations, the entire day, unlimited pics, proof books, and all our images on CDs with the copyright so we can do whatever we want with them. And we will also get online hosting for I think 6 months after the wedding. Its still more than i wanted to pay, but for what we get you can’t beat it. We got a $300 discount from meeting them at a bridal fair, and we really clicked with the guy who owns the company so we’re going for it
Post # 14
Member
2404 posts
Buzzing bee
the photography is my "wedding splurge" but i know that it will be worth every dollar!
Post # 15
Member
31 posts
Newbee
The photog is where me and my Fiance decided to splurge. We want works of art for our pictures.
We’re paying A LOT for him, but are super excited to have him shoot our wedding. His portfolio is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
We decided to nix the videographer and transfered that budget to the photographer. I can see myself pulling out the photo album a lot more often than I will pop a DVD into the player.
Post # 16
Member
398 posts
Helper bee
We paid 3k for a photographer originally from France. He does amazing work and has won a ton of awards. I was sold when I looked at his portfolio.
He was a bit more than expected to pay, but we get two albums, 200 prints, and 2 archival dvd of all the pictures that we own all of the rights too! I am super stoked about that!
He was incredible to work with and went above his photography duties, even helping with some of the reception coordination things! If you are in the Central Florida area his name is Djamel Ramoul, he’s first class all the way!
I can’t wait to see the pictures and share them with everyone!!
