Nowadays every young couple seems to want to get married and recreate some of the fairytale celebrity weddings they see everywhere. When you look at the amount of expense that goes into that one day, however, you may think it causes more misery financially than it does happiness on the day itself. Last year, the average US couple spent k on their wedding, with the average in the UK being far higher at a whopping £20k, or k. That’s probably the most expensive day you’ll ever have (unless you one day throw a winning lottery ticket in the wash). And with the credit crunch showing no signs of easing, prospective brides and grooms are actively looking for ways to cut costs without spoiling the magic of their special day. Couples are cutting down guest lists, asking for friends and family to help out instead of hiring caterers, DJs and videographers, and brides are increasingly considering pre-worn wedding dresses. However when it comes to photography, most couples don’t want to go for a cheap option – and you can understand why. Your wedding pictures are one of the few lasting memories you have from that all too fleeting day, and of course it’s something you’d want done perfectly and in style. Here are a few tips on how to stay within your budget for wedding photography without having to take a cut in quality.

1. Google is your friend

The majority of modern wedding photographers have their own websites, and one of the most common ways of finding them is via search engines like Google. However with competition being so fierce it’s not hard for prospective brides and grooms to miss out on some really special and talented photographers by not looking far enough when searching. Spend some time trawling through the Google results beyond the first few pages. Make sure you spend time going deep into the search results and coming up with a shortlist of photographers in your budget so you can really compare a range of styles and options. Also don’t just go for the obvious search terms – make sure you vary your searches, and always include a few local areas and towns to find photographers who are slightly further afield but willing to travel. My wife and I live in Sussex, and when looking for our photographer we not only searched “Wedding Photographer in Brighton” – we also looked at other surrounding areas such as Kent, Hampshire, London and Surrey.

2. Be Wary of “Stealth Charges”

Gone are the days when your wedding photographer had to develop their own prints in a darkroom – its all digital now. That means the wedding photography pricing are now far less complex. However believe it or not a lot of wedding photographer still work on a pay-per-print model, where couples have to choose which pictures they want and pay extra for them! My money saving tip would be to stick to the photographer who will give you a CD with ALL the pictures in high resolution. Like this you can choose which prints you want to get done at leisure and get them printed for relatively low cost.

3. Optional Extras and Photo Books – DIY!

With digital photography the era of the traditional wedding photo album has passed. Today you have stylish wedding photography books are a big hit with most couples – but the problem is if you go through your photographer these will often cost you an arm and a leg. Yet if you’re willing to make a little effort yourself and you have some creative flair, there are many photobook services now where you can design one at home and get them printed at bargain prices. The same goes for things like canvas prints and enlargements – all you really need are the original high res images!

4. Dont Get Taken in By the Scam Artists

Everyon’e heard a story about a couple who got scammed by a so-called “photographer” who ran off with their money. These swindlers will poach couples with cheap prices and slick sales pitches, receive their deposits or even full booking payments and then never be heard from again. They are truly tragic and horrible stories. The thing is, if you’re vigilant they’re pretty easy to spot and avoid. Firstly, ensure that any payment of deposits or fees are done via bank transfer – its the most secure method of payment, and can be traced and reversed in the event of a problem. And be sure to get a proper contract from the photographer which makes clear what you are getting and what you are paying for – this provides protection to the couple. Finally, and probably most importantly, the phrase “constant vigilance” applies here – go and visit the photographer before money changes hands, make sure you see examples of their work and ask questions about how everything will work – a good photographer will put your fears to rest.

5. Dont be Overzealous in Your Moneysaving Crusade!

Now this one may sound counter-intuitive when it comes to ‘credit crunch weddings’ but I feel it’s an important one. In your quest to cut your wedding budget don’t go too far! Like I said, the photography is quite possibly THE most important part of your wedding, especially when you look back. In this world of ubiquitous DSLR cameras, wannabe photographers with little experience are ten a penny. By focusing purely on the price you could be misled into thinking these offer a great deal. But if you ignore the very cheapest prices that’s where you often find the best compromises between price and quality. Your photographer’s portfolio should always make you go “wow” – otherwise what’s the point of having a wedding photographer?