Bringing a Not Local Wedding Photographer to a Destination Wedding
The benefits and risks of hiring a local wedding photographer for a destination wedding.
When planning a destination wedding, there are a lot of logistics to handle.
In many cases, handling those logistics is easier for people who live where the wedding is happening, which is why we recommend hiring a local wedding planner or using the event coordinator provided by your hotel or venue.
However, when it comes to wedding photographers for destination weddings, local is not always the best choice.
Should you hire a local wedding photographer for a destination wedding? Or should you fly one in from your home? Should you have a local wedding photographer for a destination wedding? There are definite pros and cons to hiring a local wedding photographer for a destination wedding.
For one thing, hiring a local wedding photographer will be less expensive, since you won’t have to pay for another set of plane tickets. A local photographer will also be more likely to know your destination location.
However, many couples want to bring their own wedding photographer to ensure the quality of their photos. If you hire a wedding photographer who is local to where you live, rather than your destination, you have the chance to meet with them ahead of time, talk through your plan for your wedding day, and even schedule an engagement session with them so you know how they work and what kind of photos they take.
Depending on where your destination is, hiring a local wedding photographer may also mean that you have a language barrier to deal with, which could result in miscommunication. You might run into cultural differences or find that it’s more challenging to get access to your photos afterwards, all of which can make your wedding day more stressful that it might otherwise be.
That’s not to say hiring a local photographer for a destination wedding is always a bad idea! In many cases, you can find talented, experienced local wedding photographers who are a dream to work with.
However, it’s important to keep those possibilities in mind when making your plans and let them inform your decision. When to bring your own photographer to a destination wedding With all that said, are there times when you should definitely bring your own photographer to a destination wedding rather than hiring a local wedding photographer?
Bring a wedding photographer if:
• You can afford the extra costs for travel and accommodation. • You know there will be a language barrier that will cause you stress. • You really love a particular wedding photographer’s work, and they don’t live at your wedding destination. • You can’t find a local wedding photographer whose work you like. • You contact local wedding photographers and find them difficult to communicate with. • Your local wedding planner recommends bringing your own photographer.
The worst possible scenario is that, due to cultural differences, language barriers, or being scammed by someone living in another country, you end your wedding day without any photos at all. If you think there’s even a chance of that happening, we suggest hiring a wedding photographer who is local to your own home, one that you trust and know you can work with to achieve beautiful photos, no matter where they are taken.
Luckily, many wedding photographers are willing to travel and love photographing weddings in exciting locations around the world! If you’re looking for a wedding photographer who’s ready to hop on a plane and help make your destination wedding as magical as it can be, check out our portfolio, and then don’t hesitate to get in touch!
