{Don’t Fall Prey to These Mishaps!}

You’re engaged and you’re ready to hit the ground running with all the wedding planning goodness! After all, you’ve been pinning to your wedding board on Pinterest for years now and you’ve finally got the ring, so now is the time to put your ideas into place! But before you take off, there are certain conditions you should strongly consider when searching for the perfect wedding photographer. It’s important to take a step back to throughly research all your options. I’m laying out 6 mistakes brides make time and time again when hiring a wedding photographer.

1. Booking Your Engagement Session with Another Photographer

Yikes! This is HUGE! Your engagement session is actually the most important part of your photography experience, because it allows you to really get to know your photographer AND it allows both of you to get familiar with the way that he/she may work! Your wedding photographer is the one vendor that is with you for almost the entire day, maybe even more so than your groom! It’s so important to have a real relationship with her to so that on the wedding day you are relaxed knowing a friend is photographing one of the most important days in your life. You could consider your engagement session to be a practice before the big day and if you’ve hired a different photographer then you could potentially be starting from scratch on your wedding day!

2. Hiring Based Only on Price and Not Bridal Experience

Many times brides will hire photographers strictly based on their price to get a “deal” with only the end product in mind, not thinking about the entire experience. Throughout your wedding planning season, hiring a photographer who can provide tips, resources, vendor recommendations and making sure you get the most out of her time is extremely beneficial. The knowledge and experience your photographer can provide is often times more valuable in the end with reduced stress and peace of mind. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to have a photographer you connect with personally for a more enjoyable event! Do research on what experienced photographers charge in your area. It’s wise to be realistic with your photography budget if you’re wanting great service alongside tangible items.

3. Not Asking Enough Questions

I see this time and time again, brides will get upset when their photography expectations are not met. Don’t be afraid to ask your photographer questions! Ask all the questions! No question is a dumb question. Know exactly what your money is going into. If you want to know the right questions to ask, check out my blog post 6 Questions You Should Ask Your Wedding Photographer to help guide you to hiring the right photographer for you. No one likes unexpected surprises that may cost you more time or money in the end!

4. Falling for the Latest Trends

After 10 years of wedded bliss, you look back on your wedding day images, what do you want your first reaction to be? “Dear Lord, what was I thinking?!?!” OR “Wow I remember this day like it was yesterday! We were so happy, just as we are today!” Your wedding photography should stand the test of time not date the time you were married. With styles and trends ever changing, it’s sometimes hard to know what decisions to make. Just keep in mind how you want to view your images 10, 20 or even 50 years from now. Do you want them to define the decade or portray timelessness?

5. Waiting Too Long to Book

Desired photographers book quickly! Sometimes 1-2 years in advanced! If there is a certain photographer you have your heart set on, contact her immediately to get on the schedule. If you wait too long you could miss out!

6. Only Wanting Digital Format

I have been a HUGE advocate of printed products for years because I know that technology is ever changing and not always reliable. Each one of us, at one time or another, has been a victim to crashed hard drives or devices. Everything gone forever! I would never want you to suffer a loss like this! Hire a photographer that offers both digital and printed products! A beautifully designed wedding album is a tangible item that elegantly tells the story of your day and holds the legacy of your love that you can hand down for generations to come. Let your future children and grandchildren live the story of your wedding day for many years to come.

In the end, just keep in mind that you can’t have a redo on your wedding day. Being informed and making intentional choices will make for one happily ever after!