I have blogged before about the importance of hiring a professional photographer. I just can’t imagine trusting someone with little or no experience to capture the important memories of the wedding day. With that said, I know how important it is to be cautious when spending money for your wedding, so I contacted a couple of my professional photographers to ask them their opinions on saving money while hiring a professional and ideas on what to do if you want to do it yourself.

Today’s interview is with Marc Harmon. He is a truly gifted photographer who charges a fair price. You can see some of his images below the interview.

Susan: What will the couple lose by not having a professional photographer?

Marc: Let me first start off by defining the word “professional” when referring to a photographer. Unfortunately, since there is no license required to claim the title of “professional photographer,” this term is used very loosely these days to describe anyone with an above-average camera and a business card. This is not only a detriment to the industry, but a frightening, and some times catastrophic experience, for the bride and groom as well. While Uncle Harry may have just bought a new camera, and has taken some great pictures of flowers, or a best friend of a friend is “starting out” as a professional and is anxious to get some images for her portfolio, why trust your most important day to someone who may or may not capture the treasured moments that will be passed down for generations?

My definition of a professional wedding photographer is someone with the following qualities:

I have witnessed the unfortunate experiences of couples that decided to cut corners with their photography. They have come to me with their images, asking if anything can be done to salvage what they have. I recently had a bride ask me to design an album for her since her photographer had recently gone bankrupt, even though she had already paid him for one. My guess is that he wasn’t charging enough to stay afloat. What will the couple lose by not hiring a true professional photographer for their day? A lot.

Susan: If you have a potential client come to you that has a small budget, what is the best way they can work with you?

Marc: Everyone has a budget. I understand this since I got married two years ago and had to go through what every other bride I meet with is going through. It all adds up, and before you know it, the “budget” is gone. I have found that not all couples have the same priorities. As I get to know the couples I work with, I find out that some spent 5 times more on the bar tab than they did with me. Others have felt so strongly about the importance of capturing their day, they end up cutting back in other areas of their budget. There certainly is no right or wrong, just differing ideas of what they see as the best wedding they can afford. The way I keep my packages to a minimum is by keeping them fairly simple. I don’t include 8x10s, wall portraits, and other items in the packages that the couple may not be interested in purchasing. I can work a little with the prices by altering the hours of coverage and engagement session, but most of the prices are pretty set. I know what I need to make to stay in business. Since I limit the number of weddings to 35 per year in order to maintain quality products and service, I’m not always within everyone’s budget, and that’s okay.

Susan: How flexible are you with midweek weddings, will you charge a lower rate?

Marc: I am currently working on a separate price list for Monday through Thursdays. I have a list for what are known as “intimate weddings,” usually 2-3 hours of coverage. I understand the upcoming trend, however, is to move the same kind of wedding days I am used to covering on the weekends to the weekdays. I’m definitely up for that and will give a price break for those days.

Susan: What do you think are the most essential things to have covered by a professional photographer? What parts of the wedding day could be done without a professional photographer if that were necessary to cut in the interest of keeping within their budget?

Marc: I am there to tell the story of the couple’s special day, but I have found parts of the day that can be covered in a shorter period of time, or even finished by, dare I say, a friend or family member. This special time of the day is known as the reception. I do think it is important for a professional to photograph all the beautiful details that went into creating the ambiance of the reception. I also see why it would be nice to capture the initial moments of the reception, such as the first dance, toast, etc. But I’m not sure it is quite necessary for a professional photographer to stick around the entire evening in order to capture 500 dance photos. I have recently been encouraging my couples to consider using the time they have with me to do more at the beginning of the day. Getting the moments of the bride getting ready for her big day as she nervously laughs with her bridesmaids, or the guys doing, well, what guys do. These are moments, I feel, that tell more of a story about the couple’s day than a drunken “YMCA” pose out on the dance floor. But I always leave it up to the couple. It is, after all, their day and their memories.

Susan: What other thoughts would you like to convey?

Marc: I would encourage the couple to look around at several photographers before deciding on who they want to work with. While I offer incentives for the couple to sign within 24 hours of meeting with me, I never pressure them to make that important decision. I usually get to know the couples pretty well, and they become life-long clients as their family grows. It’s important that they feel comfortable with me.

Here is some of Marc’s favorite photos:

Over the years I have seen some awe inspiring do-it-yourself entertainment. It is my hope that my list of favorites will inspire you to incorporate some special DIY entertainment on your wedding day.

Bride’s six-year-old nephew plays the violin for the wedding ceremony. I’ll be honest, I was expecting a musical child prodigy, but what I got was “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” played squeakily, over and over until the entire sixteen-person wedding party was down the aisle. It was absolutely adorable and truly memorable.

Groom plays piano for the wedding ceremony. Just before the parents’ processional, the groom took his place at the white baby grand at the front of the ballroom. He played traditional classical music for the wedding party and the bride. It was beautiful. The truly awe-inspiring moment was during the ceremony when the minister was about to start the vows, the groom went to the piano again and played a song he had written and composed just for the bride. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

Gregarious friend of the couple emcees wedding reception. Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone had a charming, funny and fearless close friend who could entertain wedding guests with whit and wisdom all night? Well, one of my lucky couples had just that. They were able to combine the talents of a great professional DJ who had a cadre of musical selections with a great host who really knew the couple. The reception was funny and moving and the guests danced all night.

Groom’s sister wows guests during the cocktail hour. One of my grooms had a very talented sister who wanted to give the couple a special wedding present. She gifted them her vocal and guitar talents for the cocktail hour. It was a great way to save the couple some money on entertainment while allowing the sister to enjoy the wedding reception.

These DIY moments were so successful because friends and family were able to contribute their talents without taking on so much that they weren’t able to enjoy the wedding. I really think that is the key to successfully managing wedding services given to you by family and friends. Whether it be decor or entertainment, wardrobe or photographs, you can save money by having people you are close to provide services for your wedding day, but you will save relationships by making sure those generous family and friends aren’t over committed.

I want to hear more about your DIY experiences. Please post your thoughts here on my blog, or email me at susan.southerland@pwg.com.

Tomorrow… DIY Photography.

In the great world of weddings, I think the most difficult thing to do yourself, next to catering, is entertaining your guests. Most often when I discuss the success of a wedding reception with guests, the aspect of the wedding they comment on the most is the entertainment. The man (or woman) with the mic, for better or worse, controls the evening. Doesn’t everyone have a cheesy DJ story?

Today I am going to share a Q and A interview with a fabulous Orlando DJ, Jeff VerSchage from White Rose Productions. He has some great insight on what you need to know before you decide to skip hiring a pro to entertain your wedding guests. Tune in tomorrow for some thoughts on aspects of your entertainment that you can leave to family and friends.

Susan: What do you think your job is as a DJ?

Jeff: To discuss in advance the music and the order of events with detail, to run the show, and guide the guests along with bride and groom through the event. As a DJ we are not in charge, but responsible for not embarrassing the bride, groom, vendors, or ourself. For example, if we announce the toast before the caterer pours it, the photographer is ready to take pictures, or if the best man is not in the room, it looks like a mistake rather than a scheduled formality.

Susan: How would an event be different without a knowledgeable MC?

Jeff: It would not be a smooth and easy flowing event. A knowledgeable MC would make sure the other vendors are ready and prepared before anything is announced. If you don’t double check something may be missed and someone will get embarrassed. Also, an MC has to be able to go with the flow when problems arise. It is our job to make sure that the challenges that come up during the course of the event are never noticed by the guests or the bride on the most important day of her life.

Susan: If they were going to bring their own equipment, like an Ipod, what else would they need to bring?

Jeff: Along with the iPod they will have to rent: Two speakers ($100), Two speaker stands($25), An amplifier ($50), Mixer ($50), Power conditioner ($10), Wireless microphone ($100), Necessary cables ($50), AV Tech to setup/break-down ($150), being prepared with a wide variety of music to satisfy all guests (An Extensive music library equivalent to 5,000 CDs $50,000 for CDs or $5000 worth of iTunes downloads)

Susan: What does a professional DJ do to keep the party going?

Jeff: A professional DJ is able to read the crowd to play the music that best fits the party, and use good judgment on requests. A good DJ knows how to read the changes in the mood during an event and change the music accordingly. For example, if you were to play a slow song and all of the older couples come out you might want to play an song from the 60′s or 70′s. Your iPod might be programed to play “Sexyback” next, that might not work out very well.

Susan: What do you think all your years of experience has made you better prepared for on the job?

Jeff: My years of experience have made me realize that no matter how much planning goes in to an event something will go wrong. Anything from the bouquet being tossed off the side of a 16 floor building to the limo not showing up on time. From the food coming out late to the bride tearing her dress. A Master of Ceremonies should know how to handle these challenges so that the party will flow as if nothing went wrong.

Susan: Do you think DJs are willing to give discounts for mid-week work?

Jeff: Yes. Discounts, or upgrades based on what serves the client’s needs most.

Susan: Are there other ways to save money on the DJ other than using a friend?

Jeff: Ask if cash discounts are available. Limit your reception time to four hours. Make sure you are not paying for things you are not interested in, such as a bigger sound system or lights.