Capture these Moments
The Photographs and Video

The average cost of a wedding photography package is hovering just above the $3000 mark and videography is now very rarely under $1000. This buys you a permanent reminder of your big day, all the effort you put in and the people that were there to show their love and support. Many couples make the mistake of under spending or cutting this area of the budget, only to find themselves disappointed in the future when they don't have the photographs they'd like and a grainy wobbly video, or worse yet, no footage at all. Find a happy medium and we'll look at some tips to get you high quality photos and footage at far less than those average prices.

Comparison shop like crazy! Prices can vary incredibly between photographers and videography studios. Hunt through the yellow pages as well as online. Quite often there are brilliant professionals who choose not to pay for big glossy advertisements or who only take on weddings as a sideline. You often find these photographers are less into the 'pressure selling' and package pushing that big flashy studios are known for.

Get recommendations from people you know you were married recently. Have a look at their photos and albums and ask (discreetly) about the costs. The chances are that if he/she did that wedding well, they can do the same for you.

• Consider only booking your photographer for part of the day. A common short booking is just the ceremony, family portraits, couple portraits and some photos at the reception (cake, guests seated at tables, mock first dance etc). After this, get family members to take the photos. Worst case scenario (family photos are duds) you still have good quality photos for the majority of your wedding.
  
• Ask to receive all photographs in digital format only. You can source affordable photo printing at lots of stores these days. It also puts you in control of reprints and saves more money in the future.
  
• Never be bullied into accepting pre-set photographer's packages. Chances are there are going to be photo sizes in there that you won't want or want less of them than is set. Get an itemized price list from the photographer and just order what you would like. Packages are real money-spinners for photographers and videography studios – don't make it too easy for them.
  
• Don't spend hundreds of dollars getting the studio to put together an album for you. They are always ridiculously overpriced AND you need to pay extra for the prints in them as well. With the advent of scrap-booking craft, you probably already have someone in the family that could help you make your own unique album for less than a tenth of the cost!
  
• Look outside of your home town. Shari found a wedding photographer who did great work and was charging $1000 less than her other quotes. Problem – they were 4 hours away. She paid the photographer an extra $200 travel allowance and still got her photos and saved $800 on what she otherwise would have paid.
  
• Beware of photography studios that offer you a 'free' engagement portrait sitting. While many of these offers are legitimate (you will need to buy the expensive prints if you want them though) other less reputable studios refuse to give you access to the prints unless you agree to buy their wedding packages! Always check the conditions on 'freebies'.
  

Next Page - Page 16: Save Money on Wedding Reception / Location.