Michéll Events: Planning Tips :: Wedding Budget Breakdown

Saturday, October 28, 2017

Planning Tips :: Wedding Budget Breakdown :: Photo + Video

Pictures are worth a thousand words! Your photos and videos of your wedding will stay with you forever...so don't be afraid to get what you want and pay what you need to! Photo and video is suggested to be at 8% of your budget. For example, if your budget is $20,000 then your photo/video budget would be $1,600. Always keep in mind the budget can be shifted...if you want to spend less in another category, move the extra to your photo/video budget to increase it.

Questions to ask when booking:

Insurance: What kind of insurance do you have? Some venues require liability insurance to shoot there.

Contract: Can I review your contract before I sign? Don't ever book a photographer without a contract stating everything included in your package.

How Many Shooters/Backups: How many shooters will photograph my wedding? What happens in an emergency? Is there a backup shooter?

When will I receive my images/prints? Turnaround time should be anywhere from 2-8 weeks depending on the amount you're waiting on.

Photo by Trump Photography

Photo by Trump Photography

::TIPS ::

1. You can always deduct from other categories to add to this percentage and raise the amount you have for photo and video. Maybe you can cut back the guest list a bit, or you won't be using that expensive limousine...you could move that extra over to photo and video budget to be able to get a larger package or more extras.

2. Find a photographer/videographer you love and stick with them for everything; engagement, rehearsal, wedding, bridal photos...this way you get to know them (and how they work), they get to know you (and what you want)...and you may even get a discounted rate for booking the entire package.

3. You can find great companies who provide both photo and video services. Sometimes getting a package with both from the same company can save on your overall cost. Plus, it's always great to work with a team who has worked together before!

4. Make sure to know what's included in your package and what is additional before you book. Ask for all additional fees up front so you can budget for them from the beginning. This will include things like prints, books or albums, parents albums, ordering reprints, etc...