Finding Wedding Vendors in 2021
You get what you pay for in almost all things wedding related.
From shoes to photography and everything in between this has held fast until recently. In 2021 there will be a problem with this statement. You may be willing to pay for it…but you can’t find it.
Guys, I refer a new inquiry for a 2021 wedding almost DAILY these days. Wanting the best, being able to afford to have the best and being able to find someone to hire in 2021 is a real disconnect. Vendors for 2021 weddings are scarce. I personally am not taking on any new wedding clients for 2021 not knowing what the rest of the year will look like. I know many other photographers I typically refer to are in the same boat. My list is dwindling quickly. Many of us are going to need to raise our prices dramatically due to demand this year. I haven’t yet but may need to. And, unfortunately, engaged couples are going to need to make decisions about what is really important to them on their wedding days.
For those of you searching for vendors in 2021 and 2022, as you search, inquire, and are turned away or are sent a list of recommendations for any type of vendor, here are some things to keep in mind while trying to keep an open mind:
1. Some beginners are quite good! They may not have a TON of experience but if they have a solid portfolio and their prices reflect their beginner status they will probably do a great job for you and may even work harder than someone seasoned as they are still trying to improve their portfolio. It’s true, there may be a few situations they haven’t been confronted with yet but if there is a truly strong, consistent portfolio, there is some real knowledge and capability to think on their feet behind them. Maybe consider but please be certain to inquire into their data backup systems. The #1 complaint I hear from photographer horror stories is that there was data loss…and I’ve heard many.
2. Some beginners hike up their prices knowing you may assume they are more experienced than they are because of the price tag. Ask to see FULL galleries from venues that are similar to yours. Ask to see several! Many of us mostly post photos from the husband and wife portrait time. Those photos are about 1/10th to 1/12th of the entire day of shooting and arguably the easiest for us because they are the most like a regular portrait session. Make sure they can also shoot indoors for getting ready and with flash for reception at the level in comparison to their price tag.
3. Just because someone has been doing their craft for a long time, doesn’t mean they are great at it now. Sometimes technology and fashion changes and they may be stuck back in the 90’s filter style and expectations for service.
Practice doesn’t make perfect. Practice makes permanent.
Being forced to sit down with your budget to think through exactly what your vision for your wedding day is, isn’t a bad thing guys. It’s great practice for life. Our American culture is wrapped tight around the idea that more is better and that if you aren’t doing “all the things” you aren’t good enough. The fact of the matter is that if you are trying to do “all the things” in life, you probably aren’t doing any of them very well at all…and are probably really, really tired. If you can focus on what really matters and let the rest go, you can do GREAT things. Truly great things. Your wedding day can be truly great even if you can’t have “all the things.” Focus on what matters to YOU for your LIFE and it will be the day of YOUR dreams instead of the day of Instagram’s dreams. For weddings and life. Let’s start living life for OURSELVES and not for everyone else.
If I’m your wedding photographer, I’m in it for you and your marriage. I’ll be just as happy to photograph your day in a 5-star venue as I will be if it is in your backyard. If the love is there, I’ll be there to capture it for you.
Also, if anyone needs recommendations for wedding vendors in the Pennsylvania area, I am happy to send my overall list to you. If you need a photographer for 2021, I am also happy to share a few I know that still have openings and I would trust myself.
Be well. Live intentionally.
XO - Megan