Should You Bring Your Own Photographer to a Destination Wedding?
You're planning a destination wedding. You've chosen the resort, started thinking about your ceremony and reception, and now you have another big decision to make:
Do you bring a photographer from home, or use the photographer at your resort?
I've had destination wedding couples do both.
I've had couples bring a photographer they already know and love, paying for their flights, hotel stay and transportation in addition to their photography package.
I've also had couples use the photography team available through their resort.
And after seeing both options firsthand with my destination wedding clients, there's one thing I really want couples to know:
Don't assume you HAVE to fly a photographer to your destination to get beautiful wedding photos.
If there's a photographer you absolutely love and you've always pictured them photographing your wedding, that's a completely different conversation. Bring them.
But if you're considering bringing someone solely because you're worried a resort photographer won't be as experienced or qualified, I wouldn't automatically make that assumption.
Some of the resort photography teams I've seen do an awesome job—and there are actually some pretty big advantages to using someone who photographs weddings at that destination all the time.
Why I Recommend Resort Photographers to Many of My Couples
One of the biggest advantages is pretty simple:
They know the resort.
And I don't think couples realize how valuable that can be.
A photographer who regularly works at your resort already knows where the best photo locations are.
They know which areas look great at certain times of day.
They know the lighting.
They know where the sun will be.
They know which beach locations photograph well and which ones may be crowded at a certain time.
They've photographed wedding parties there before.
They know how long it takes to get from your getting-ready location to your ceremony venue.
They may even know those random little spots around the property that you'd walk right past without realizing how beautiful they'll look in a photograph.
That's a pretty big advantage.
Your photographer isn't spending your wedding day learning the property.
They already know it.
Resort Wedding Photographers Do This All the Time
Popular destination wedding resorts host weddings regularly, which means their photography teams can have a lot of experience working specifically with destination weddings at that property.
They know how wedding days typically flow there.
They know the ceremony locations.
They know the reception venues.
They know the scenery.
And importantly, they know how to work with the destination's natural light and weather.
Bright midday sun can be challenging. Beach lighting changes quickly. Sunset timing matters. Certain areas of a resort may look completely different in the afternoon than they do closer to sunset.
Having someone who regularly photographs that environment can be a huge benefit.
Using the Resort Photographer Can Save You a LOT of Money
This is probably the most obvious advantage.
If you're bringing your own photographer to your destination, you may be paying for much more than the photography package itself.
Depending on your photographer's agreement, you could potentially be responsible for their airfare, hotel stay, airport transportation, meals or travel expenses, and photography fee.
And there's another expense couples sometimes don't realize until they start planning:
Some resorts charge outside-vendor fees.
If you're bringing in a photographer who isn't part of the resort's approved or preferred wedding team, the resort may charge an additional fee for that photographer to work on property. Policies vary considerably by resort, so this is something we want to know while we're planning—not after you've already signed a contract with someone.
Once you add everything together, bringing a photographer from home can become a significant part of your wedding budget.
That doesn't mean it isn't worth it.
If this is THE photographer you want, it may be worth every penny to you.
But if you're spending all of that extra money simply because you think you have to bring someone from home to get good pictures?
You may not need to.
I'd rather have you know what your resort's photography options look like first and then decide where that money is most important to you.
But What If I Already Have a Photographer I LOVE?
Bring them.
Seriously.
This isn't me saying you should never bring your own photographer to a destination wedding.
Photography is personal.
Every photographer has a different editing style, shooting style, personality and approach to a wedding day. If you've followed someone's work for years, love their style, trust them completely and can't imagine anyone else photographing your wedding, that matters.
Maybe they took your engagement photos.
Maybe they're a friend.
Maybe you've already worked with them and know how comfortable you feel in front of their camera.
Maybe their editing style is exactly what you've always pictured for your wedding photos.
Those are all completely valid reasons to bring your own photographer.
We'll just account for that when we're planning.
I want you to choose the photographer whose work you actually love—not make the decision based on the assumption that “resort photographer” automatically means lower quality.
Don't Assume More Expensive Automatically Means Better
This is probably my biggest piece of advice.
I've seen beautiful work come from resort photographers.
And I've also seen couples spend a significant amount of money bringing their own photographer to a destination wedding and still have frustrations with the experience afterward.
That doesn't mean outside photographers aren't good. There are INCREDIBLE wedding photographers who travel for destination weddings.
It simply means that paying more doesn't automatically guarantee you'll be happier with the end result.
No matter which route you're considering, look at the photographer's actual work.
Ask to see full wedding galleries—not just their best social media pictures.
Look at how they photograph people.
Look at their editing.
Look at beach photos in bright sunlight.
Look at sunset photos.
Look at indoor reception photos after dark.
Ask about turnaround time.
Ask exactly what's included.
Those questions matter whether your photographer is flying in from home or works at your resort every week.
What About Getting Your Wedding Photos Back?
Turnaround time is another question worth asking before making your decision.
In my experience with destination wedding clients, I've been impressed with how efficiently some onsite resort photography teams deliver their photos.
I've also seen couples wait quite a while for photos from photographers they've brought with them.
But this is definitely something I'd compare photographer by photographer rather than assuming one option will always be faster.
Before booking either one, ask:
When will we receive our photos, how will they be delivered, how many edited images are included, and what happens if we want additional photos?
Get the details in writing.
Because after your wedding, you're going to want those pictures.
Don't Forget About Videography
The exact same conversation can apply to your videographer.
If you're considering flying both a photographer and videographer to your destination, travel costs can add up very quickly.
Before automatically bringing both from home, let's look at what your resort offers.
Some resort wedding teams can provide photography and videography packages, which may make much more sense for your budget and logistics.
Then you can decide whether you're comfortable with their portfolio and style or whether bringing your own team is important enough to justify the additional expense.
Questions I'd Ask Before Choosing a Destination Wedding Photographer
Whether you're considering the resort team or bringing someone from home, I would compare more than price.
Look at their actual portfolio and editing style. Ask whether you can see complete galleries from weddings at your specific resort. Find out how many hours of coverage you're receiving, how many photographers are included, how many edited images you'll get, whether you'll have printing rights, and what the expected turnaround time is.
If you're considering an outside photographer, we also need to know whether your resort allows outside vendors, what outside-vendor fees apply, whether the photographer needs a room reservation or day pass, and what travel expenses you're responsible for.
That's the true comparison.
Not:
“Resort photographer = cheap.”
“Outside photographer = better.”
Destination weddings are rarely that simple.
Where Would I Spend the Money Instead?
This is another reason I encourage my couples to at least consider their resort photography options.
Destination wedding budgets can grow FAST.
If using an onsite photographer saves you thousands of dollars and you genuinely love their portfolio, think about what else that money could do for your wedding.
Maybe it goes toward upgrading your reception.
Maybe you add a welcome party.
Maybe you host an excursion for your wedding group.
Maybe you upgrade your room.
Maybe you put it toward your honeymoon.
Or maybe you simply don't spend it.
That's allowed too.
The goal isn't to spend your entire wedding budget just because it's there.
It's deciding which things matter enough to you to spend more on.
So, Should You Bring Your Own Photographer to Your Destination Wedding?
My answer is:
Maybe.
If there's a photographer whose work you absolutely love and you know you want them there, let's figure out what it takes to bring them.
But if you're considering flying a photographer to your destination only because you're nervous about using the resort photographer, look at the resort option before you make that decision.
Ask for portfolios.
Compare packages.
Look at full galleries.
Compare turnaround times.
Find out about outside-vendor fees.
Then make the decision based on the actual photographers you're choosing between—not where they're from.
I've been genuinely impressed by the onsite photographers at the destination wedding resorts my couples have used, and I recommend this route often because it can give couples beautiful photos without adding another major travel expense to their wedding.
Planning a Destination Wedding?
Your photographer is just one of the MANY decisions that come with planning a destination wedding.
Which destination and resort are right for your group?
What ceremony and reception venues fit the wedding you have in mind?
What wedding package makes sense?
How many rooms do you need?
How will your guests get there?
Do you need private transportation?
Can you bring outside vendors?
What fees aren't obvious when you're first looking at the wedding package?
These are the details I help my destination wedding couples work through.
I help couples look at the entire wedding and travel experience—not just choose a resort that looks pretty online.
If you're thinking about a destination wedding and don't know where to start, inquire with me today! I'll help you find the destination, resort, wedding experience and travel plan that fit you, your vision and your guests.
From choosing the right resort to helping your guests get there, I'll be with you throughout the planning process so you don't have to figure it all out on your own.
Ready to start planning your destination wedding? Inquire with me today:
Be a Good Tripper.
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