Top 8 Questions To Ask Your Wedding Photographer in Alabama
- The Stables at Cypress Creek
- 24 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Being engaged can be an exciting and busy time. Here at The Stables at Cypress Creek wedding and event venue in Tuscaloosa Alabama, we know how quickly wedding photographers and venues book up! We would love to help you jump start your wedding planning with our guide on the top 8 questions to ask you Alabama Wedding Photographer.
Weddings are filled with lots of planning for your special day, excitement of all the hard work coming together, laughter with your closet friends, and before you know it in the blink of an eye it's all over. Couples are so busy on their wedding day that they actually don't have time to take in all the details. This is why it's so crucial to find the right wedding photographer that fits your style and look for your special day. Your wedding photographer makes sure to capture all these special moments, from the first looks to the ceremony to the reception, all preserved for you to walk down memory lane with your loved one for years to come.
If you are lucky enough to be planning your wedding in Tuscaloosa, Alabama you are in for a treat. From breathtaking outdoor wedding venues like The Stables at Cypress Creek to the variety of options from both large to intimate weddings, Tuscaloosa offers the perfect backdrop for your big day. In this blog you will learn the top 8 questions to ask your Alabama Wedding Photographer.
1.What Is Your Budget?
Some brides may be surprised when they find out that wedding photography can be your second biggest expense outside of your wedding venue rental fee. Don't be frightened by some of the more expensive photographers, you can find the right photographer that fits your budget as long as you know your Overall wedding budget ahead of time. Some wedding planners say that a bride can expect to spend around 15-20 % of their wedding budget on a photographer. If your overall wedding budget is around $20,000 and 15% goes toward the photographer you are looking at spending around $3,000 for a starting point.
2.What Style Matches You?
There are different styles of photography like (light and airy, dark and moody, and natural) as this pertains to the way the images were edited. Also their is a style that applies to the overall feel of the images (joyful, romantic, playful, etc). Here at The Stables at Cypress Creek we have an in house photographer  Cypress Creek Productions which leans towards the light and airy style photography. We are able to offer different styles depending on what look the bride is going for. Finding the perfect wedding photographer that meets your style is a great place to start your research.
3.Posed or Natural look?
Do you prefer a more posed look for your photographs or do you prefer a more candid natural look. A good wedding photographer will give you good directions that puts you at ease and make you feel comfortable, but not over directing to the point your photos are stiff and awkward. Make sure you ask your photographer what posing style they prefer so you make the best decision moving forward.
4.Have you seen a portfolio from the Wedding Photographer?
Some brides want to save money and hire a wedding photographer through a word of mouth recommendation. Make sure not to assume the photographer can meet your expectations and ask to see a portfolio from the photographer with some of their previous weddings they have photographed. Saving money on your wedding day can be very important to some brides, but make sure you are not cutting corners in photography as these photos will tell the story of your special day for years to come.
5.Have you narrowed your research to top 3-5 Wedding Photographers?
After deciding on your top 3-5 favorite photographers send out inquiries to get to know them. Depending on their response time this is an indication if they have time to take on new clients and if they will be prompt when you hire them for your wedding day. You will be spending a lot of time with your photographer so you want to make sure your personalities go well together. Trust your instincts. After reviewing all the photographers, your gut feeling should be a great indicator of who you would be most comfortable with on your wedding day. Here at Cypress Creek Productions responding to clients promptly and not overbooking is a priority to let our clients know they are important, we value them and want to give them great customer service.
6.Are you planning on seeing the groom before the ceremony?
Some couples choose to see each other after the ceremony which means the photographer will take all of the bride and groom pictures after the ceremony along with all of the family photos. Make sure that if your wedding ceremony is at an outdoor location that it's not scheduled to close to sunset. This will allow the photographer enough time to get all of the photographs before you loose light. Take into consideration if you are planning a winter wedding sunset can be as early as 5pm which requires a timeline from your wedding planner and photographer to ensure you get all of the necessary photos while it's still light out. Be sure to ask your photographer if they have experience in outdoor weddings where the bride and groom wait until after the ceremony for their wedding photos. This will give you confidence in knowing that the photographer you choose to hire for your special day will make sure to get all of the photos you need while you can enjoy the day and take it all in.
7.What Wedding Photography Packages do you offer?
This is a great time to learn about the different kind of wedding packages that are offered. Each package should list the amount of hours the photographer will be on site during your wedding day. Ask about additional cost-Do you get one or two photographers for the package, how much does it cost per hour if you need extra time with the photographer? Also, inquire about the turnaround time for your photos. Some photographers have a month or longer turnaround time while others only take 1-2 weeks. Imagine waiting months to get your images and not hearing updates on when the final edited images will be finished and delivered.
8.Does your Wedding Photographer have a contract for you to sign?
While some people may feel comfortable discussing the details of the pricing, wedding package you selected and turn around time by word of mouth, make sure you have the details of the agreement in writing for you to sign and make sure you are covered.
Before signing the contract make sure you discuss deposit fees, refund policy, how do you receive your edited images, and does the photographer have rights to post your photos online to use for marketing purposes.
We hope you enjoyed our blog and feel more at ease about choosing your wedding photographer.
All the research and time will pay off and will add depth and richness to your wedding memories, creating a comprehensive and emotional keepsake of one of the most important days of your life. Consider your wedding photographer as the storyteller of your wedding day, bringing together beautiful intimate moments and joyful celebrations with your closet friends and family.
Congratulations on your engagement! We are so excited for the two of you! The next few weeks and months will be brimming with inward joy, date nights, researching and several important decisions that will lay the foundations for your wedding planning preparations. Here at The Stables at Cypress Creek, wedding venue in Tuscaloosa, Alabama we known planning your Alabama wedding, it's clear that every detail is crucial. From selecting the perfect dress to finding the ideal venue, each decision plays a role in the vision of your big celebration. If you are still looking for the perfect wedding venue contact us at The Stables at Cypress Creek in Tuscaloosa Alabama to schedule a tour. Remember to enjoy the wedding planning journey and to take it all in.
Special thanks to all the amazing locally owned and operated wedding venues from across the country who continue to inspire and support us daily.