Photography and weddings go together, like cupcakes and frosting. It is an unimaginable notion to complete a wedding without a single snapshot. Such a momentous occasion deserves as much coverage as possible to last a lifetime. But there is always an obstacle before a couple goes hunting for local wedding photographers.

Based on the latest count, the USA has the most expensive professional photographers. The average cost of wedding photographers in the country is anywhere between $3,000 and $3,500 in 2019. They are more costly by over a thousand dollars when compared to their UK or Australian counterparts.

But that is too much money!

The paramount importance of the wedding as a significant milestone in life is mainly the reason why it needs exceptional photography, which is why hiring a Sydney wedding photographer and videographer is essential. It is the same reason why it requires such a hefty cost to finance the occasion. Thus, once the last guest has left, the wedding coverage from start to finish could account for about 15% of the couple’s budget.

So, it is not a bit surprising that some would choose to skimp on this aspect of their wedding. Some are brave enough to hire local wedding photographers in Craig’s List for $500 and hope for the best. Others still would have a member of the family or a friend do it for them for free as a sort of a wedding gift.

The sad fact of going for such non-professional options for wedding photography is the subpar quality of the photos that you would be getting. It is always a hit-and-miss situation that frequently ends with dissatisfaction and even strained relationships. What makes it all worse is that your wedding memories would become hardly worth reminiscing.

But is there no way to save?

The good news is you can still hire a professional wedding photographer and not hit the 15% mark of your budget. It will depend on your location and other factors, of course, but you can still find an excellent photographer for $1,500.

If you are managing on a tight budget, you can further trim your wedding coverage costs through the following:

1) See if you can ask your photographer to shoot your wedding for fewer hours so you can get a discount. You can also request to skip some shots so the photographer can allocate them instead to what you think are the more essential parts of the wedding.

2) Prioritize your shots so you can identify which items of your photography package you can remove. For example, you can remove the engagement or prenup sessions and several photo prints. Doing that might rack up to about a thousand dollars more in savings. 

3) Ask if you can have just one or two shooters instead of a full team of photographers. This option is dependent on the size of your wedding, of course, as more people means more subjects to shoot.

4) Hire local wedding photographers. That would save you from covering airfare, meals, hotels, and other travel costs if you would be hiring out of town.

5) Do not be afraid to negotiate. Many excellent photographers are willing to adjust their packages or customize their offers, depending on your budget.

Remember that you get what you pay for, and that very much applies to the wedding photographer of your choice. Ultimately, you must decide on how you would set the bar for your wedding. If you wish for the most capable hands to capture and preserve the beauty of your wedding day, then you would not risk anything less.