Is Less Expensive the Same?

It is a heated debate amongst weddings today; Is cheaper better or even the same? Charleston has reached a tipping point amongst photographers. There are so many photographers that have moved to the area of course because Charleston is the number 3 destination spot for weddings. So here come the business men and the weekend warrior. What does this mean for you. We'll it could mean a cheaper price or it could mean a lesser quality product.
There are some very talented photographers in the area many that area not, some that offer a great product but many that don't. Sometimes it marvels me what they are giving a way. Some offer Albums, proofs and all day for 1500.00. Yes you saw correctly. I ask myself how then I realize. They give you no options, they buy the albums in bulk and put them together themselves as to having a professional album company do it. They may offer proof books instead of proofs and they may nickle and dime the bride for everything. So while they are cheap in the beginning; they are expensive on the back end. So a 1500 package ends up costing you over 3000.00 at the end of the day.
But despite that is the style and the quality that you want there? Did you get the shots that you thought you wanted? Was your photographer everywhere that you wanted them to be? Is after the fact that right time to ask yourself that question since your wedding is only one day EVER?
Shelia is a friend of mine who was married in a remote location --before I knew her. She had a "friend" photograph her simple ceremony of 4 guest included. She has no pictures of the moments of her day and a mediocre out of focus (not in an artistic way) picture of her and her husband. She says that is okay because it is just her and those that were there that will remember that moment and there is something serene about it. She did admit that she wanted to have a second ceremony, her new dress is a $20,000 Christian Dior. Her last dress not so shabby, not a traditional wedding dress but a Vera Wang.
When picking vendors decide what is important to you....trust me this is a day that you will not want to do over.