If you're new to the wedding planning world or working with a wedding photographer, you might just be finding out that not all wedding photographers have set prices. Some photographers have set lists of packages that offer a certain amount of a=hourly coverage with pre-determined inclusions like an engagement session, albums, or second photographers. When inquiring with a photographer with set packages, you'll likely be presented your options and have to pick from there. In today's blog post, I want to talk a little bit about why I decided to forego set packages and offer my clients a unique luxury experience with custom proposals.
Not every wedding is the same.
In my career photographing weddings, I have yet to find a wedding that is identical to another. Yes, I've photographed many Catholic weddings with longer timelines and smaller intimate weddings that require less coverage, but even then, every single one of those weddings was different. Not only will the timeline of the wedding day differ, but what each couple values is different. Some couples value portraits of all of their guests. In this scenario, it's my job as the professional to recommend additional photographer options. When you have two or three photographers present on your wedding day, we have more flexibility to roam the venue to grab guests for portraits or even stage an area for grip and grin photos as guests enter your ceremony site.
Not every wedding has the same budget.
Just like how the day is different, so is each couple's budget. Some couples want a full, all-inclusive package that takes care of everything for them. This might look like twelve hours of coverage, two or three photographers, an heirloom album for the couple to keep as well as parent albums to give as gifts, and maybe even a bridal boudoir session. While I offer all of those services, not every couple finds value in including that in their investment, and that's okay! That's why it's so important to hop on a call with a potential wedding photographer so they can properly guide you through the logistics of what will be needed to document your day.
You deserve a luxury experience.
I genuinely believe in providing my clients with the best possible wedding photography experience. This doesn't start after they officially book with me. No, this starts from the moment they reach out. I take the time to get to know my clients and their vision so that I can hand-tailor three custom proposal options for them to pick from. If they are certain they want two photographers present on wedding day, all three options I present them will have a second shooter. It's just that simple! Why trouble my clients with deciding between set packages that don't fit what they're looking for?
I believe in documenting a story, not just getting a job done.
Early in my career, I offered shorter hourly coverage. As I grew into my style and my beliefs, I decided that I could not longer offer shorter days. of coverage. This is why the minimum number of hours that I offer for weddings is eight hours. I truly believe that your full day can not be documented in any less. I am a storyteller, not just a photographer. There is such magic in viewing a wedding album that takes you from the start to the end. From getting ready to the grand exit at the end of the night. Not only that, but I was finding that couples and planners were trying to cram eight or ten hours of events into six hours of coverage in an attempt to save money. While it might be able to work, I promise that it's no fun for anyone. Your wedding party is going to love being moved around quickly, you're not going to love the results of being rushed from ten minutes of couple portraits, and you're guests won't have the best experience if speeches and reception formalities start before the buffet line has finished. It's just the reality of weddings! Again, this is why that initial call with your photographer is so important. Take advantage of their expertise and listen to their advice on what a realistic time frame is for wedding photography coverage.
Overall, I'm not trying to put down photographers who offer set packages. It can work for some photographers and some clients! But it doesn't work for everyone. Although it can be frustrating to not get pricing answers right away, I promise, your experience will be much better when you receive pricing options specifically made for your vision. One last thing, I do believe in price transparency! It's frustrating to look for wedding vendors and have no clue what price range they fall in. This is why I include starting and average investment pricing on my website. Not only that, but I'm always more than happy to provide couples with example proposals so they can get an idea of the possibilities.
Cheers!
 | Hi, I’m Cassidy Drury, a Kansas City-based luxury wedding photographer with a passion for capturing timeless love stories in an elegant, artful way. I focus on creating heirloom-quality images that you’ll treasure for generations, ensuring no detail is overlooked. Whether it’s your wedding day or a special moment leading up to it, I’m dedicated to providing a seamless, thoughtful experience from start to finish. If you’re ready to invest in beautiful, meaningful photography, let’s connect and start planning how to bring your vision to life! |
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