Oh, destination weddings. They’re so beautiful that it’s no wonder so many couples head abroad to a dream location for their big day. Of course, once you’ve chosen your perfect destination you also have to book your perfect suppliers. Do you ‘go local’ with the best your venue has to offer, or do you ‘import’ your home-grown favourites?
In this post I’m going to talk about that very dilemma because, if you’re getting married abroad, where do you find your wedding photographer?
Your Options
So, let’s start with a quick overview of your options. Essentially, it’s a straight choice between two. You can book a local wedding photographer from the area where your wedding is taking place or you can take your favourite photographer with you.
Now, when I put it like that it sounds relatively simple, doesn’t it? Well, it’s a little bit more complicated than that, but don’t worry, I’m going to run through the main points to think about right now…
The Advantages of a ‘Local’ Wedding Photographer for a Wedding Abroad
When you book a local wedding photographer for your wedding abroad you’ll hopefully be getting a professional who knows the venue and the area. They’ll have all the inside information on the best locations for those iconic and unexpected shots. Also, they might be able to recommend other suppliers to you.
If supporting the local economy, getting a real flavour of your chosen destination and maybe even keeping things as simple as possible are all important to you, then a local photographer might be the best option for you.
Sourcing a ‘Local’ Wedding Photographer
Now, where do you find them? Well, things are relatively similar the world over. The internet is a wonderful thing, and all of the major international wedding blogs regularly feature destination weddings and styled shoots, so take a look at the list of credits on these.
Of course, you can speak to your venue too, as it’s likely they’ll have a list of recommended suppliers you can browse. Or, you could engage a wedding planner and allow them to shortlist photographers who’ll suit your wedding style.
Language Barriers
For many couples, two words stop them from booking a local wedding photographer for their wedding abroad — language barrier. Yes, however much you might love Italy, and however fluent you are at ordering spaghetti alle vongole in a cute trattoria, checking through contracts and conveying important details is a big step up.
Of course, many suppliers who work regularly with destination wedding couples will speak other languages. Speak with potential photographers to check that you’re all on the same wavelength and communication is easy.
Using a UK-Based Photographer for a Wedding Abroad
The alternative is to take a UK-based wedding photographer with you to your destination. Many wedding photographers offer specific services for destination weddings.
We’ll arrive ahead of your wedding to scout out locations for photos, make contact with other suppliers, and we spend a lot of time preparing to photograph your big day.
You’ll know exactly what you’re getting in terms of the style and quality of the photographs that you’ll receive. You can meet with your photographer here in the UK before the great wedding getaway, payments will be simple, and communication will be a breeze.
To find the best UK-based destination wedding photographer for you, again, the internet is your friend. Wedding directories, blogs, magazines, searches and social media can all help you make your selection.
Things to Check When Choosing a UK-Based Destination Wedding Photographer
- When will they join you at your destination? How many days before/after the wedding will they be with you?
- Do you need to book/pay for accommodation/travel for them?
- Will you have to pay for any expenses (such as food and drink) while they’re with you?
- Does their insurance cover them to work abroad?
- How do they transport their equipment? What if their luggage goes missing?
- Do they know the area at all?
- Will they make contact with your venue or other suppliers before the wedding?
Only You Know What’s Best
As with all things wedding, the only right decision is the one that suits you best. You understand your wedding style, budget and priorities better than anyone else, and no one can (or should!) tell you what to do.
Whether you choose a local or UK-based destination wedding photographer, I just want you to love your wedding photos. These once-in-a-lifetime images are with you for the rest of your life and they should be so much more than a holiday romance.
Guest post by Amanda Karen Photography
Images from Amanda Karen Photography
