I know it seems a little irresponsible to “fall in love” with something you potentially can’t afford. “Say Yes to the Dress” preaches it all the time: Don’t try on a dress that’s over your budget! But behind the dress and the man or woman of your dreams (and maybe your venue, too!), photography isn’t something I think you should settle for.

“They gave us $200 off our package”…”The other photographers include more in their package for the same price”…”They’re a better deal”…these are all things I’ve heard couples say about their wedding photography recently. But what I’d really like to be hearing is “We found an awesome photographer! We love their style and we think we’ll work well together!”

I get a little discouraged when I hear couples are more worried about price than their actual wedding pictures. Sure, that photographer may give you a discount or include more in their package or seem like a “deal”, but what’s their photography style like? Do you like the pictures they take? Do you think you’ll work well together on the wedding day? Are you confident you’ll receive a good product? There’s way more to wedding photography than a price tag. Sure it’s another wedding expense, but it’s an expense that’ll affect you long after the wedding day. The art, professionalism, experience, know-how, and probably most important, the preservation of memories that you want to be proud of. Is all that worth risking for the sake of a “good deal”?

I know weddings can cost a lot of money and sometimes $2000+ for wedding photography just doesn’t seem feasible. But I encourage couples to consider the pictures and photography style first. Look through photographers’ websites and read their blogs. Review their portfolios and compare. Find the kind of pictures you’d like to have and if the photographer’s price fits in your budget, awesome! If their price is over your budget, consider reevaluating for possible “wiggle room” in other areas like decorations (maybe you can DIY a little more?) or food (is that late-night snack buffet really necessary?). What’s a reception room filled with over-the-top decorations if you don’t have beautiful, quality pictures to remember it?

So for the sake of those emotional, candid moments…the well thought out decor and details…and the love between two people on one of the most special and important days of their lives…don’t look at the wedding photography price tag first. Look at the pictures. A small price tag, or a “good deal”, doesn’t always mean it’s a good decision or a good end product. Consider remembering your wedding day, or any special life moment for that matter, with good pictures. Pictures that you’ll be happy with and proud to share.