Guide to Hiring a Destination Wedding Photographer and Videographer
Hiring a destination wedding photographer and videographer are one of the most important choices you’ll need to make. Your wedding day will be amazing and filled with beautiful moments and precious memories, but the most lasting element will be your wedding photos. Because there are so many options this can be a really tough decision. It can also be somewhat confusing since every resort has its own rules and policies regarding in house and outside vendors.
Working with In-House Resort Photographers
All-inclusive resorts in Mexico typically have their own in house photographers they recommend and/or require that you use for your destination wedding photography. The resorts want you to use their in-house photographer. They have more control over this vendor, already have contracts in place directly with that company, and earn a portion of what the photographer charges you.
Pros of Using In-House Vendors
- They know the ins and outs of the venue and all the great photo spots.
- They know the resort wedding staff so they can easily communicate their (and your) photography and videography wants and needs.
- They may have special permission from the resort to use their drone.
- No outside vendor fee is charged when you book the resort’s in-house photography and videography team.
Cons of Using In-House Vendors
- The in-house photography and videography team may not match the style of photography and/or videography that you prefer.
- Their prices can be a bit steep. Oftentimes, the in-house photography and videography pricing are quite a bit more than hiring a local photographer.
- Response times may be delayed and it may be a little harder to establish a rapport with them.
Hiring an Outside Wedding Photographer and Videographer
Some couples have a team they love at home and may already feel comfortable with them. They may have even shot their engagement session, so there’s a great relationship that has already been established. If you choose this route most properties will not charge an outside vendor fee so long as your photographer and videographer stay at the resort in your wedding room block for at least 3 nights. However, some resorts will still charge you an outside vendor fee. We normally see this range anywhere from $500 – $1,000.
Critical Elements When Hiring Outside Professionals
Hire Professionals Who Are Familiar With International Travel: When you plan a destination wedding, hiring a vendor familiar with international travel for weddings is essential. The destination wedding photographer and videographer team you hire needs to know the particulars of and be comfortable traveling abroad for the event.
Make Sure They’re Prepared To Travel: Destination wedding photographer and videographer teams usually travel with plenty of equipment like photo and video cameras, drones, and laptops. Clarify the visas. While the top trendy destination wedding locations usually don’t require visas for US citizens, it is still important to check and sort out.
Arrange For A Multi-Day Package: A destination wedding is usually an event that lasts several days. These events allow guests to settle down after their trip and are filled with many great moments worth capturing too. Plan for this ahead of time by choosing a multi-day wedding photography and videography package.
Budgeting for Your Wedding Media
It’s a good idea to know your budget for your wedding photography. High-quality photography can be pricey, albeit less so in Mexico and Portugal. You can determine your budget based on the following average cost considerations:
| Location | Average Cost for Full-Day Coverage |
|---|---|
| Mexico and Portugal | $3,500 to $5,000 USD |
| United States | $4,000 to $10,000 USD |
To keep costs down, consider hiring your photographer for a shorter period, say 6 hours instead of 12 hours. You can also hire a photographer only for the wedding day and opt for your friends’ snapshots of other wedding events.
Choosing Your Photography Style
Choosing the right wedding photographer is a personal decision based on your unique taste and vision. We highly recommend choosing a photographer with a look and style that resonates with you. Do you like light and airy or bold and vibrant? Do you like candid and photojournalistic or traditional and posed? Choose a photographer with a style that resonates with your taste and vision.