Are you ready to book your wedding photography package around Vancouver, British Columbia? Wedding photography is one of the most important aspects of a wedding. It captures the memories and moments that you want to remember for the rest of your life. Your wedding photos will be one of the only takeaways from your wedding day.
A professional photographer will make sure that you get high-quality pictures and will be able to capture all those special moments.
In this article, we will talk about what a professional photographer does, tips for how to choose a photographer for your wedding, and why you need one for your big day.
All photos and words in the post are by Vancouver wedding photographer’s Pursell Photography.
Vancouver is a popular wedding photography destination
If you are looking to get married, then the Vancouver area is the place for you. Vancouver is a great destination for photographs due to the diversity of nature and architecture. There are also plenty of scenic locations with a lot of different backdrops for your wedding photos.
Step 1. Visualize your wedding
Decide if you would like a small or large wedding
Some people prefer a small intimate wedding, while others want a large celebration. It all depends on your personality preferences and budget and style. Check out our elopement guide for smaller weddings.
Check out our portfolio for larger wedding inspiration.
What season would you like to have your wedding?
The Lower Mainland and Vancouver are perfect for a variety of weather. You can enjoy the snow-capped mountains in the winter, the green rainforest in spring, or the gorgeous sunny skies in summer. Every season has its pros and cons; it just depends on how you picture your wedding.
We have a winter photoshoot guide. As well as summer, fall, and spring photos for inspiration.
Figure out the area you would like to get married
When it comes to choosing the perfect location for your wedding, there are many factors to consider. Will you be in love with the idea of getting married in the mountains or will you be excited about getting married in a luxurious ballroom? Will you want an outdoor ceremony or a ceremony inside a church? There are so many options to choose from! We have compiled a list of the best places for wedding photos. As well as some of the most popular outdoor places to get married around Vancouver.
Step 2. Choose your wedding venues
Once you have decided on what area you would like to get married in, the next thing you need to decide is the venues for where you would like to get married.
There are many different wedding venues, from rustic barns to lavish ballrooms. You can choose from a vast array of options depending on your style, guest count and budget. It is a very important decision because it will determine the look and feel of your wedding.
Here is a great article about the most popular rustic wedding venues. As well as a list of the most luxurious reception venues around Vancouver.
Step 3. Book Your wedding photographers
Once you have decided on your wedding venue, booking your wedding photographer is next. You need to book your photographer as soon as possible because the best photographers in town are likely booked most weekends of the year. Many couples book their wedding photography at least one year in advance for larger weddings. For elopements, they can be booked as little as a few weeks in advance (great for planning around weather)
To book us as photographers for your wedding, get in touch with us for a free consultation.
What to Look for in a Professional Wedding Photographer
A professional wedding photographer is an essential part of a wedding day. They capture the moments of the couple on their big day, from the first look to the last dance.
It is important that you find a photographer who is skilled in capturing these moments and knows how to get them just right. A good professional wedding photographer will be able to take photos that are not only beautiful but also capture the emotion of the moment as well as artistic.
Find wedding photographer’s style you LOVE!
Everyone has different preferences when it comes to wedding photography. Some people like natural light photos, while others like artistic photojournalistic style shots.
It is important to find a photographer that you will be able to connect with and have fun with. A good photographer will understand the personalities of both the couples and will be able to capture the right moments of the day.
Check out their portfolio and see if you can visualize yourself in the photos?
Have the photographers photographed any similar weddings to how you envision your wedding? That will give you a better idea of how the photos will look.
At Pursell photography, we offer a unique photography experience. We use a strong use of off-camera lighting which creates a moody and artistic look to our photographs. Our style is often described as photojournalistic with an artistic flair.
A photographer that can capture your wedding in any weather or venue
A good wedding photographer will be able to work with any weather or venue, so it’s important to find someone who knows how to handle themselves in all types of environments. Knowing the best times for sunrise and sunset is great, but being able to adapt when the best lighting isn’t an option is what sets the best photographers apart. Here is an awesome article for what to do if it rains on your wedding day.
If you want to be indoors in lowlight or under the stars, can the photographer photograph in that situation? Natural light photographers have difficulty photographing in tricky situations. On the other hand, the ability to use flash photography allows photographers to capture special moments in low light.
One of the most important aspects of professional photography is lighting when taking pictures in darker situations. If you are looking for a photographer that can photograph in any situation, Pursell photography is one of the most experienced in Vancouver with over 15+ years of professional photography experience.
Who is actually photographing your wedding for the day?
Some companies that offer photography services may use a photographer other than the business owner. This can be a wedding photographer that they’ve contracted, so the photos may not represent their portfolio.
Will and Lauren Pursell photograph every event and photoshoot booked with Pursell Photography. We have many years of experience and have built a reputation of being one of the top photography companies in Vancouver. Our clients know that they will be getting professional quality work from us. Learn more about the photographers.
To what degree does the photographer interact with the client?
A photographer can be helpful in regard to your timeline. Some photographers are more flexible whereas others may need more time to capture the perfect shot. If you have a strict timeline, it is important to communicate this with your photographer ahead of time.
From the first interaction you have with us, we will be in communication during the entire wedding photography process. Lauren works full time during office hours dealing with client communications.
Can the photographer help come up with locations recommendations?
Photographers are always looking for a new, exciting location to shoot. They spend hours exploring new locations, doing research, and scouting locations to find just the right backdrop.
We create a personalized list of photoshoot locations based on your timeline and venues for you to best utilize your wedding photography package time.
Do all of the wedding photographers work with real clients or are their projects predominantly styled photoshoots?
When working in fast-paced, potentially unpredictable situations like a live event, it is important to have a professional photographer with you to capture truly stunning images. If the photographer’s work is primarily styled photoshoots where there are no time constraints, the photos you will receive might not reflect their portfolio.
With the exception of one styled photoshoot on our blog, every single photo on our website is of real clients, during real events and photo sessions.
Consider a team of two photographers
Consider having a team of two photographers who can capture both sides of the wedding. You can get a mix of photo styles by having one take the traditional shot while the other takes a creative, higher-risk photo. The two photographers for your photography package will also help reduce the disruption at the event. They can take pictures in two different places simultaneously.
All of our wedding photography packages in Vancouver include two photographers. During some points of the day, one of us may act as a lighting assistant to make sure you get amazing lighting for your photos. Read more about why we think it’s awesome to have two photographers for your wedding day.
Are engagement photos part of the wedding package?
Engagement photos can be a great part of the wedding photography package. They are a great chance to share photos of you and your fiancé together. You can include the photos in an album as well as wall art.
Some photographers offer engagement packages as an add-on. You can check with your photographer to see if this is included in their wedding package.
We include a portrait session in our Vancouver wedding photography packages. It’s a great way to get in front of the camera as well as create personalized art for your home. At the end of this session, we’re bringing our products to you so you can see them in person to choose the best one for your needs.
How you would like to display your photos?
While you might want to save money at the time by just storing your photos on a hard drive, printing the photos and creating personalized art is a much more amazing way of enjoying your photos. All of our photography packages include product credit for wedding albums and prints.
We are well known for our amazing quality products. Popular ways to display your photos are:
Flush mount wedding albums
A wedding album is a piece of art that tells the story of your wedding day, one picture at a time. When you work with an experienced photographer who specializes in wedding album design, they will be able to capture all the special moments and make sure your memories are preserved in a beautiful heirloom album.
Our wedding albums are custom-designed by Lauren. She then schedules a meeting on Zoom where she can share her screen and finalize the design with you on the spot.
Wall art
You may also want to consider having a custom wedding photo wall and mounting your photos on it. A custom photo wall can be created to fit any wall and can be customized to display multiple photos.
We offer ready to hang metal prints and canvases that use professional-grade archival photo paper. Our mission is to bring some of the most beautiful memories back into our homes, offices, and lives.
What are the different Wedding Photography Packages?
Our wedding Photography Packages are simple. You choose the amount of coverage you would like. Full-day packages include files and credit towards albums and wall art. Small weekday packages are a-la-cart where you can pick and choose each photo and product.
Step 4. Book your other wedding vendors
Booking officiant, wedding planners, figuring out decor, attire, flowers, and makeup artists are the next step after booking your wedding photography package.
Wedding vendors you may want to consider:
An officiant or commissioner
One part of getting married in the city of Vancouver is the legal requirements. You can either contact a celebrant (officiant) or marriage commissioner.
In BC, marriage commissioners are required to read mandatory pre-written speeches before and after the commitment ceremony.
Wedding officiants can typically provide options for couples to tailor their weddings to the couple themselves, whether by adding readings, rewriting vows, or providing other ceremony forms.
You can find a marriage commissioner at https://connect.health.gov.bc.ca/marriage-commissioners.
Some popular officiants around Vancouver are:
Wedding Planner
A wedding planner will ensure that all the little details of the wedding are taken care of. A planner can help you make a great timeline. They can help you arrange the cake and the venue, decorate the wedding venue and help you with the invitations.
Florist and Decor
The florist will provide flowers and decorations for your wedding. It’s a great way to have a more personalized wedding.
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
A makeup artist will help give the bride and groom a polished look for the big day which is great for photos. A hairstylist will help make sure the bride’s and groom’s hair is perfect for the big day.
Catering
A catering company will provide the food for your wedding. Some venues offer catering and some venues allow outside food.
How do I legally get married in British Columbia?
Once you have a date set, it’s important to secure a marriage license. Marriage licenses are $100 and you’ll need your passport to be able to purchase one. Make sure not to purchase the marriage license too early as they can only be used for three months. Marriage license issuer can be found at https://connect.health.gov.bc.ca/marriage-offices.
Are you ready to book your Vancouver Wedding Photography Packages?
The perfect way to make your wedding day stand out is to hire a professional photographer. A good photographer will document your special day in the best way possible, providing you with photos that are not only beautiful but also represent all of the best moments of your wedding day. Get in touch to book your wedding photography packages around Vancouver, British Columbia!