Photographers are an Untapped Resource
for Selecting a Wedding Destination
By Kathryn Gabriel Loving, 100 Best U.S. Wedding Destinations

Great getaway weddings often begin in the imagination, whether you envision rolling turquoise waves against stark-white beaches, snow-packed ski runs accessible only by gondola, or waving palms on a remote island. If wedding planning is inspired by the visual senses, then doesn’t it make sense to consult a photographer local to the area you’re considering?

The number of wedding locations in the United States is infinite. The Web hosts thousands of venues all competing for a piece of the growing destination wedding industry, but it isn’t reliable as a sole source. Some Web sites misrepresent their venue, and not all venues are appropriate for your particular wedding dream. Moreover, even the most coveted places can give lousy service.

Hacienda Doña Andreas de Santa Fe, New Mexico

Photographers were one resource I used when researching my book, 100 Best U.S. Wedding Destinations. Eager to fill wedding albums with images that showcase the couple as well as their talent, photographers can recommend the best locations for background and lighting.

They will be able to report on pesky telephone wires and other unsightly obstacles that may not be shown on a property’s Web site. They’ll know of some of the less celebrated, intimate, and because photographers usually cover a wedding from start to finish, they will have observed the professionalism of the location’s staff and other vendors.

As a wedding photographer myself, I am often contacted by couples searching for the ideal place in New Mexico. One of the more unusual requests came from a woman who had seen a photo on my Web site of a bride and groom kissing in front of an adobe wall that framed miles and miles of wide open space. I was able to give her several choices fitting that description.

Likewise, when researching the book, most of the photographers I contacted were more than willing to name their favorite spots, such as little known settings in the Red Rock Country around Sedona, AZ, or exclusive hotels in and around Santa Barbara, CA (all of which are described in the book).

All too frequently, however, photographers are hired last, long after it’s too late to make location changes. One couple scheduled their intimate ceremony in a tiny, picturesque chapel late one December evening. Since they were marrying without guests, they wanted both still and video photography to show friends and family. Both the videographer and I tried to convince the couple to reschedule the ceremony earlier in the day when the landscape, the historical architecture, the falling snow, and sunset would enhance the pictures, but their chapel and minister had already been booked. The only light source was candlelight, and so the artificial light on the still and video cameras competed with one another with less than perfect results.

Wedding photographers are usually familiar with most of the popular venues in their area and have shot under various and challenging lighting conditions at all hours of the day. They will know when the optimal time is to begin a ceremony at a particular location, a time when the light turns a pond to golden glass or turns stained glass radiant. I recently shot a wedding in a dark chapel, and I prepared for what I thought would be a lack of ambient light to illuminate the colorful floor-to-ceiling mural behind the altar. To my surprise, the sun poured through the clearstory window over the altar and lit the row of flower vases on the altar’s mantel just as the bride walked down the aisle. I’ve since been able to advise couples of the timing for this stunning effect.

Rather than direct you to the ideal venue, be aware that a few photographers will recommend those venues with which they have a symbiotic business arrangement – and that isn’t always a bad thing. It is also worth mentioning here that some venues will offer all-inclusive packages that include photography. In these cases, the photo packages often include just a few prints, while the remainder of the images shot on that day can be obtained for more money, and sometimes a lot of money. Be sure to get all photography agreements in writing, and be on the look-out for hidden prices.

Besides photographers, try cross-checking venues with other local vendors such as wedding officiants, florists, and caterers. Search for bulletin board comments on travel and wedding planning Web sites, then contact the staff at a site you like to gauge their level of service. While researching my book, if a venue was unresponsive to our e-mails or phone calls or had received more than a few scathing reviews in chat rooms, the venue got dropped from the list. (By the way, the groom does just as much of the planning for a long-distance wedding as the bride, if not more.)

A successful wedding destination contain these key components:

1. Picturesque (for the wedding album), romantic, historical, spiritual, or quirky, great ceremony and/or reception sites.
2. Oriented toward the wedding market with prices and packages for all group sizes.
3. A range of food and lodging accommodations on the same property or in the area.
4. Plenty of wedding vendors in the area.
5. A range of affordability.
6. Accessible for the handicapped and elderly.
7. Easy marriage license requirements. (Marriage laws vary from state to state and are becoming more relaxed to accommodate destination weddings.)
8. Great vacation spot for guests, with plenty of activities other than The Wedding.
9. A staff coordinator that can assistance with long-distance wedding planning.
10. Reputation for excellent service, with high recommendations from vendors and former nuptial clients.

The most important aspect of any wedding, of course, is the couple’s ceremonial vows and what will make that special event enjoyable and memorable. As one wedding officiant I work with once said, “This is not a photo shoot…we’re doing a thing here.” With the money and expectations invested, however, planning for beautiful pictures is worthwhile. Don’t hesitate to ask your photographer. They leap at the chance to use their experience and creativity to please their customers and enhance their own portfolios.


Article and photo submitted by:

Kathryn Gabriel Loving ~ Author of 100 Best U. S. Wedding Destinations