Which Package Do I Choose?
I don’t know about you, but before I stepped into the wedding industry if someone had asked me what kind of photography package I’d want at my wedding I’d have been left stumped.
It just wasn’t anything that I’d ever really though about before! How on earth do you know what’s right? What if I choose wrong, and how do I decide?
My mind would have been swimming with questions.
So, because I know that choosing a photography package for your wedding day can be a confusing process, I want to go over three simple points you should consider when deciding what package works best for you.
My hope is that at the end you will have the tools to be able to pick the best package for your day that way the only thing you’ll regret from your wedding day is that it was over too quickly!
No. 1 - Pick Your Three Most Important Moments
It sounds simple because it is! Hands down this is the best tip that I give couples planning their wedding day. Each couple has different important moments because no two wedding days’ are the same, but every time a couple asks me what package they should pick - this is the first question I’ll ask.
This is particularly useful if you haven’t yet started working on the wedding day timeline, though is still useful even if you already have the day planned.
What are the most important parts of the day to you? Is it the moment one of you walks down the aisle, getting ready with your friends and family, the speeches, or maybe it’s the dancefloor?
But “Laura,” you say - “it’s all important! I can’t decide.”
Perfect! That’s also an answer. If you know that every moment of your day is important and you don’t want to miss a second, then you need to look at a package that is either 8 or 10 hours. It’ll allow your photographer plenty of time to capture all the moments without time constraints.
But “Laura,” you say - “I don’t really care about getting ready photos.”
This is when I’d recommend a 6 hour package. Skip the getting ready, and book your photographer to start approximately 15-20 minutes before the ceremony begins. If your ceremony starts at 3pm, they should start cover at 2:45pm. This allows for photos of your guests arriving, the venue, and communicating with your other vendors such as celebrants or videographers. Don’t underestimate how important those 15 minutes are.
But “Laura,” you say - “I don’t need much, I just want some candids during the ceremony and photographs of my family and a few nice pictures of us”
I’d be considering a 4 hour package in these situations. If your ceremony is at 3pm, and your photographer starts at 2:45pm then they’ll wrap up at 6:45pm. This allows plenty of time to capture the moment you and your future wife/husband say I do, family and couple portraits, and will wrap up shortly after you enter the reception.
So - Pick your moments! What is a priority to you? Once you’ve decided on those moments, you can start making a decision regarding your photography package.
No. 2 - Do you want product add-ons?
Do you want your package to include any products?
For example, my middle and top packages include a set number of heirloom quality prints that clients choose, as well as a personalised USB and Linen box. These can then sit on your coffee table to be admired for years to come.
Some clients instead opt for a Fine Art Album, and some instead look for packages that only include digital images.
If you would rather not have a print product, mention this to your photographer at the time of booking and they will take you off any product marketing emails.
No 3 - Second Photographer? Videographer?
This question tends to be the sticking point for most couples. Do we spend the extra money and book a second photographer and/or a videographer?
Speaking from my time in the wedding industry, and from speaking with married couples, the only time clients truly regret booking either or both of these as part of their wedding package is if they had a poor experience with their vendor (or if they went drastically over budget).
If you’re thinking about booking a second photographer, I would heartily recommend it. It might seem silly on the day, but when your gallery is delivered and you see the moment when you said your vows and how your guests were crying during them - you realise just how much of a good idea it was!
Having a second photographer also allows for more creativity from both your vendors, and overall provides a much high quailty product for you at the end.
It is very unlikely that you’ll regret booking either a second photographer or a videographer, so I heartily recommend having a discussion with your partner and your vendors if you think you would like this.
That’s it folks!
You made it to the end! Just for sticking it out, I’ll throw in an extra tip.
No 4. - Spend some time working out your timeline before talking to your vendors
You don’t need to spend long, and you don’t need to plan the whole day. However, jump online and check what time sunset will be on your wedding day, and check how long the drive is between different venues. If you and your partner are getting ready in two different locations and those locations are 30 minutes apart, that will cut into your package as industry standard photo / video packages run concurrent hours like a regular work day (i.e. you clock on at 12pm and finish at 8pm).
One of the first few questions a photographer will ask if you have a time (and date) set for the ceremony, as your package revolves around that moment, so it’s a good idea to have that sorted before you reach out to potential vendors.
So, to quickly recap
Pick your three most important moments
Do you want product add-ons?
Second photographer / videographer?
Spend some time working out your timeline before talking to your vendors
Now you’ve taken the time to consider some of the important aspects of booking your photographer - you’re ready to go forth and book your favourite vendor! Don’t worry if you haven’t got it all figured out yet though. That’s what we’re here for - we’ll help you make the most of your fabulous journey into matrimony.
Warm wishes,
Laura