Introduction

Your wedding day will fly by, but it’s your photos that you’ll be sharing for generations down the line. In and amongst the planning, it’s important to have a little check list for your wedding photography too. Needless to say, your first question should be if they’re available to shoot on your date! After that though, there are a few things that people sometimes miss, that we think will be beneficial to your big day.

How Long Have you Been in Business?

This question is the absolute key in deciding whether the rest are even necessary. If the answer comes in the form of months, rather than years, then it’s a big risk to go any further. Plenty of experience and years in the business means you’re getting so much more than just a fancy camera. Experience is everything, and will determine the quality of your final photos, but also the quality in their correspondence with you and your overall level of service. Experience and a good reputation means they’ll also be able to handle any pressure that the day might bring, and being good at directing people, getting those shots that you hoped for in and amongst the hustle and bustle of those magical 24 hours.

What Works Well?

Once you’ve found out they have tons of experience, it’s time to tap into it! Of course, many brides and grooms (ok, mainly brides) will already have an idea of what shots they want, but you can also ask your photographer about many things that mean you don’t have to do all the planning yourself! They can guide you on the basic setup of family photos, shots and get a framework to start you off with. Let them tick those jobs off your list, the last thing you need when you’re planning a wedding is more to do!

Hundreds of weddings, thousands of hours; lots of ideas! Get creative and see what they can do. They’ll be able to get an idea of your theme, what you like and don’t like, and then tell you about ideas they have or things they’ve seen work well that would suit your day.

What’s My Perfect Package?

Ask exactly what you’ll be getting, and how much for. This seems like an obvious question to ask, but as simple as it is, some people still don’t end up with quite what they were expecting because they haven’t clearly laid out what they were getting from the off. This question really answers more than just what you’re getting, it also opens up a great wealth of packages that your photographer will have available.

Get your photographer to show you a range of options, and guide you through what you’ll get with each package. With different price ranges and perks for each one, you’ll not only be able to find the perfect combo for your day, but also for your budget too. Photographers will understand that not everyone has a money tree, and will work with you to find your perfect package. Make sure you ask about printing, albums, and digital copy options too.

Can We Talk Time?

Always, always ask your photographer about timings. One of the most important questions you can ask is when your photographer is available throughout the day. Most likely you’ll want photos of both the bride and groom getting ready, so you’ll need to check that they’re available, and if they have more than one photographer to capture both parties before they reach the ceremony venue. You’ll need to chat to them about the full timeline of the day, and ask them about squeezing in photos in and amongst that you’d envisaged, aside from the normal friends, family, bride & groom shots.

The second most important question regarding time is: “When will I be getting what?”. Most photographers will have a timescale in mind for how long it will take them to get the first proofs, the previews, and the final prints etc. to you. It won’t be quick, but at least you’ll have it in writing so that you know when to plan copies, gifts and gatherings to show off your album or video.

What if…

Here’s the final essential question, which is one you should never miss. It’s not such a glamorous one, but you need to ask your photographer about the ‘what ifs’. In case anything goes wrong on the wedding end, or on their end, what’s their policy? Do they have backup photographers in case of illness or inability to be there, and do they have liability insurance?

These are the kind of questions that will give you one of the most important things you could ask for on your wedding gift list: peace of mind. You need to know that your wedding will be a dream, regardless of any last minute nightmares. Ask about deposits and refund policies, as well as copies of all the contracts you’ll be signing. Even though time is hard to come by in between choosing flowers and shopping for dresses, it’s important you read through these documents too!

Conclusion

Remember your wedding day the perfect way; through those perfect images, still and moving, that you’ll enjoy looking back on for years to come. Knowing you’ve found the exact package you wanted brings a peace, and a whole lot of happiness to your big day! Ticking something off the list doesn’t always mean it’s off your mind, but once you’ve covered our list of questions to ask your wedding photographer, you’ll be able to get a good night’s sleep. Have sweet dreams rather than wedding worries; you’re getting married in the morning!

For more information and to meet Caroline Trotter to talk about your wedding in Fife please call 07933 510243 or drop Caroline an email at caroline@carolinetrotter.co.uk