Tips for Finding Your Own Destination Wedding Photography Bliss

with Destination Wedding Photographer, Marni Wishart

At the end of the day, when the “I dos” have been said, the flowers have dropped their last petal, the food and wine has been enjoyed, the dancing has been unforgettably epic, and the guests have returned home — the thing that remains, aside from your beautiful memories, is your photographs. These are priceless heirlooms, a magical passport transporting you directly back to the emotions of your biggest day together. Photography that lives up to that noble position, is a top priority for the bride and groom who will treasure and share these memories for generations to come. This is especially true for destination weddings, where the location you have hand-selected, and the closest friends and family you have invited to join you, sets the stage for a celebration that becomes your own kind of folklore. You will look back on your wedding knowing every detail was exactly as you wished and 100% personalized to you and your love.

Knowing the importance your wedding memories have to you, how can you make your best decisions? Here are a few tips from Destination Wedding Photographer Marni Wishart: 

Find the right photographer for you

As with most things these days, you rely on the best recommendations of your friends to select your wedding vendors, (along with a whole ‘lotta Instagram and Pinterest searches)! While local vendor recommendations may be excellent, you are embarking on a different adventure that is far from local! You have more to consider in your decision-making.

Your search for your dream Photographer may fall into the following categories: 

A photographer who is local to you, who travels  – benefit, you can easily meet in person and have additional portrait sessions before your wedding.

A photographer who is local to your destination – benefit, they do not need to travel to the actual wedding  (Side note: If traveling internationally, be sure you and your photographer speak the same language – and not just metaphorically – you’ll both want to communicate easily whether that means you are speaking their language or they are speaking yours!) 

A photographer who is not local to you, or to the destination, but who travels – benefit, they may have a style and portfolio that just sings out to your soul, in which case this is a perfectly sound decision despite the extra travel for portrait sessions and wedding.

No matter which location your Photographer is in, make sure you absolutely love their work and that you connect on a personal level! You will spend more time with your Photographer on your wedding day than with anyone else … every moment is being captured in photographs, and you want to feel comfortable and free to be yourself. 

Get to know your photographer in the decision-making process and beyond. 

Phone calls, Video Chats, and staying in regular contact in your preferred mode of communication can help you to know if you have found a perfect match with your Photographer and this really helps you to feel at ease on your wedding day. One of the best ways to test out how you will like working together is to book an Engagement Portrait Session or Pre-Wedding Formal Portrait Session. Not only will you learn what it’s like to be in front of their camera and learn their method of directing, you will also have a full gallery of images that show you what you and your fiance look like in this Photographer’s style — you won’t need to just imagine yourself in the Photographer’s past work, you’ll know firsthand how their vision translates to you.

Know what’s included

When planning for a destination wedding, your photography coverage will include more than just the day of your wedding and whether you receive your photographs in digital or printed format. Beyond these typical wedding photography considerations, the biggest difference compared to a local wedding is that one way or another, destination = travel expenses. You will want to plan ahead to account for the additional expense in your overall budget for photography. Be certain you understand your contract with your Photographer as far as the number of photographers, the coverage time, and any travel and accommodation expenses that may also be included. When it comes to payment, understand which currency you will be quoted and billed in, and how you will make payments, especially if it is an international transaction.

My best advice is to work with a team of photographers that includes a minimum of one Lead Photographer plus a Second Photographer. If your wedding party and guest-count is small – two photographers is best. For larger celebrations, a third or even fourth photographer may be included in your coverage options. For example, with a large guest list, one photographer may be assigned to photograph guests and candid moments, while your Lead and Second Photographer focus on bride and groom photographs.

When your Photographer is traveling to your wedding destination, best practice – and something I do for my own clients – is to arrive, along with my photography team, a minimum of two days before the wedding. Flight schedules often go awry, so allowing at least one full day as a buffer is an easy way to ensure your Photographer doesn’t miss a minute of your joyful celebration. 

The early arrival of your Photography Team can also mean they are able to include additional services such as a Pre-Wedding Formal Portrait Session, photographing special outings with your guests (whether you are sailing amongst the Greek Isles, or hiking your way through Iceland), rehearsal dinner coverage, special portrait sessions for your guests, day-after photography … there are endless ways to make the most of being in your dream location with the love of your life, and your Best Photographer by your side. If there is ever a time when “the more photography coverage, the better“ — your destination wedding is it! 

Photographs that mean the world to you

You want to love your photographs and your Photographer wants that for you as well! There is no question that as humans we have an emotional connection to our photographs … you’ve heard the common anecdote that if given the chance, people say they would run into a burning house to save their photographs. (I do not recommend risking your life to save your photographs! Instead, keep a back-up of your files away from home!) 

Creating the photographs of your dreams is pretty magical, but there are also some logistical/ behind-the-scenes preparation to create those magically captured moments, and working as a team makes all the difference! 

Here are some practical tips: 

Involve your Photographer early on in working hand-in-hand with your Wedding Planner. Your Photographer and Planner will work together to coordinate a timeline that fits your priorities. If sunset portraits are important to you, this could mean shifting the time of your ceremony. If you plan to do a Pre-Wedding Formal Portrait Session, you may decide to forego a First Look on your wedding day. Each decision you make for your celebration to fit your vision is an important consideration in the orchestration of your overall day or multi-day event. The best timeline makes time for the things that are important to you. 

Your Photographer can also help to suggest small tweaks in the design of your wedding events that make a big difference. For example, the orientation of your ceremony space on an open beach at midday where even the slightest shift in angle can make the difference between portraits of you and your guests squinting into the Sun, versus you and your guests looking like your most amazing selves with a soft glow surrounding you. What photographers know best is light, don’t hesitate to ask for them to put their expertise to use! This same knowledge of light can also help you decide on your getting ready space and locations for portraits. 

As you and your Photographer get to know one another, you will want to communicate the photographs that are most important to you. For my own brides and grooms, I like to strike a balance between a detailed shot list for some categories, such as group portraits; but, keep an open-ended and “in the moment” focus to follow the emotion and events of the celebration. In addition to photographs of you and your guests, the destination itself will provide much inspiration for your Photographer. And, when it comes to your wedding details, traveling is always an opportunity to consider what – and how much – you pack, so make sure the items you are bringing are meaningful to you. Your Planner and Photographer can work together to feature your treasured memorabilia in exquisitely-styled flat lay photographs. You can also send two full sets of your paper suite to your Photographer ahead of time so you have one less thing to think about carrying in your luggage.

And last but not least, for the real magic … 

Be in the moment! When it comes to your destination wedding celebration, let your Photographer capture you feeling 100% present, in love, full of joy, starry-eyed … and enraptured by the company of your loved ones. With your dream Photographer alongside you, and a Planner who has taken care of every last detail, you will know you are getting your very best photographs to love and to cherish! 

Photo Credits:

Photographer: @marniwishartphotography 

Film Scans: @goodmanfilmlab 

Host: @alishacrossleyphotography

Creative direction & styling: @jade.magnolia

Florist: @mintdesignca

Gown: @jennypackhambridal from @carriage_house

Ring: @trumpetandhorn

Hair & Makeup @beautybespoken

Tabletop @borrowedblu

Paper goods: @margauxpaperie

Backdrop & Mats @jrd_artshop

Linens @latavolalinen

Suit: @shoppatrickjames

Female Model: @jaydahrobinett

Male Model: @benschreen

Chairs: @brighteventrentals

Painted bottle: @ruthoneya.illistrations

Accessories: @carriage_house