One of the biggest questions that comes up when planning a wedding is, “How do we choose our vendors?”
There are SO many people out there offering wedding services, and honestly, it can be pretty overwhelming trying to figure out who is actually right for you.
I’ll chat about some of the other vendors in future blogs, but for now, let’s talk about something I know pretty well: wedding photography and videography.
You might think I’m writing this just to get more clients. And sure, I’d love to work with you! But honestly, I would much rather know that a couple has found a photographer and videographer who are the perfect fit for them than simply book another wedding.
Your wedding day is one of those days you’ll probably talk about for the rest of your life. And the people you choose to capture it are going to be right there with you through so many of those moments.
So, how do you choose the right people?
Here are my three biggest tips.
1. Meet Them First
Seriously. Meet them.
Whether that’s over a Zoom call, FaceTime, or grabbing a coffee together, spend some time getting to know your photographer and videographer before you book them.
Something we realised on our own wedding day is that, apart from your spouse, you’ll probably spend more time with your photographer and videographer than almost anyone else.
Think about that for a second.
Now imagine spending your whole wedding day with someone you don’t really click with. Someone who makes you feel awkward or uncomfortable. Someone who just doesn’t get you.
Not ideal.
Now imagine the complete opposite.
Imagine having someone there who feels like an old friend. Someone who makes you laugh, gets you to loosen up, encourages you to do the silly things, and somehow makes being in front of a camera feel completely natural.
That’s who you want.
You’ll usually know pretty quickly if someone is your kind of person. And if they’re not? That’s okay! You don’t have to force it.
We all have different personalities, and not everyone is going to be your cup of tea.
But you DO want to like the people who are going to be following you around with cameras for most of your wedding day.
2. Make Sure You LOVE Their Style
Okay, so you’ve met them and you love them. Amazing!
But there’s one more really important question:
Do you actually love their work?
Because loving the photographer but hating their photos is not going to work.
Every photographer and videographer has their own style. Some are bright and airy. Some are dark and moody. Some are all about those beautiful candid moments, while others love creating more posed, editorial images.
There’s no right or wrong answer here. It’s completely personal.
But you need to find someone whose work makes you look at their portfolio and think:
“Yep. THAT is exactly how I want my wedding to look.”
Because these are the photos and videos you’re going to be looking back on years from now.
If you don’t like the colours, the editing, the angles, the posing or just the overall feel of their work, keep looking.
There are SO many talented photographers and videographers out there. Find someone whose style makes you excited to see your own wedding captured that way.
3. Read the Reviews
And lastly… read the reviews!
Don’t just look at the pretty photos on Instagram. Find out what it’s actually like to work with them.
Did couples say they felt comfortable?
Were they easy to communicate with?
Did they help make the wedding day less stressful?
Did they deliver everything when they said they would?
Were they professional?
Because beautiful photos are only one part of the experience.
You could have the most incredible photos in the world, but if the photographer was difficult to communicate with, constantly late, made you uncomfortable or didn’t deliver what they promised, you’re probably not going to look back on the experience fondly.
Reviews can give you a really good idea of what you can expect before you book.
So, What’s the Secret?
Honestly?
Find people you like. Find people whose work you LOVE. And make sure other couples have had a great experience with them.
That’s it.
Your wedding day is too important to settle for someone who is just “good enough.”
There are plenty of amazing photographers and videographers out there, so take your time and find the right fit for you.
Because when the flowers are gone, the cake has been eaten and the decorations have come down, your photos and films will be some of the things you have left to take you back to that day.
The laughter.
The happy tears.
The ridiculous dance moves.
The little moments you didn’t even realise were happening.
That’s why finding the right people to capture it matters.
And when you find the right team?
It should feel less like hiring a vendor and more like having a couple of friends with cameras along for the ride.
