Destination Wedding Photography: What To Keep In Mind
Destination Weddings are more fashionable than ever. There are many benefits to having a destination wedding, but it’s good to know what you are dealing with.
The Benefits
- Overall, it is easier on the wallet. Usually, your guests pay their own way, which also affords them the opportunity for a welcome getaway, especially during the chilly season.
- You’re getting married in a picturesque locale with stunning landscapes that make the wedding photography that much more special.
- There is a fairytale quality to getting married in a far off place that’s warm and lush. It will be different than all the nuptials you go to back home.
- The hotel generally plans all the particulars including providing you with a local wedding photographer (more on this ahead).
- By having your wedding far away in all probability only those folks you actually want to come will show up because of the time and financial commitments. This is the route to go to avoid a potentially controversial guest list at a home wedding.
Possible Issues
- You may actually make it difficult or unfeasible for some of your favorite people to attend because of constraints in their situations, which you may not even know about (ie) financial, having babies, inability to take time off from work, etc. Ironically, you may then have a hard time grasping why a loved one can’t come – though they may have very good reasons.
- Did you have a chance to visit the island before the big day? If not, you may arrive right before the allotted show and see things not to your liking. Happily, big troubles rarely happen. However, it’s essential to have clear communication with the Event Planner to mitigate any problems that may arise.
- Often, destination weddings occur in the winter season. In planning the wedding keep in mind that if your wedding is during the late fall, winter or first part of spring, retreating light will be a factor after about 5 o’clock. Consequently, if the ceremony is 3:30 or beyond you’ll have trouble getting in all the pictures (family, wedding party, couple). The sun will drop like a stone and quite suddenly it will be dark. The heavenly background will barely be visible and you might as well be photographing a wedding in Baltimore – which kind of defeats one of the main purposes of holding a destination wedding (ie) the glorious background and the accompanying images. Remember, all you have left afterwards is your wedding photography.
- If you select a local photographer, firstly, you will most likely be disappointed with the outcome. Secondly, not only are you are usually not paying less, sometimes you’re paying more than if you brought in your own photographer. Thirdly, once you return home, if you have any issues with the photographer you might be out of luck. What if they don’t return your messages? What if you don’t get your pictures? That is a frightening situation. Alternatively, you can hire a photographer from your home town who does destination weddings. In this case you actually meet your photographer way ahead of time . In short, you make a connection with the person who is going to be capturing your special day. Most importantly, God forbid there are any issues, you know where they live and you have many more options at your disposal.
- Now, there is something you must be aware of if you decide to choose a destination wedding photography company from your own neck of the woods. Foreign photographers require permits to “formally” ply their trade in most destination locales. For the Bahamas, the permit costs $300. Now, your photographer can journey incognito and pretend they are one of your guests. This can be risky. What if they don’t believe you, especially once they’ve rifled through your luggage and perused all your equipment? They may not let you photograph the wedding – which would be disastrous. If your photographer is going to fly under the radar they should bring as little gear as possible to not attract attention. Or, you can play it safe and get the permit.
There is much to appreciate about having a destination wedding. Invariably, it is a delightful experience. Just take heed of the aforementioned issues that may put a crimp in the plans.
August 10, 2010
|
Posted by Jam Man
Categories:
Tags: