Answering Your Questions About Destination Wedding Photography

Hello! If you’re reading this, it’s likely that you’re considering a destination wedding and, in turn, have some questions about how wedding photography fits into this unique and exciting experience. I’ve gathered the most common questions I receive as a destination wedding photographer to help you navigate through this adventure.

Q1: Why Hire a Destination Wedding Photographer?

The short answer to this is you’ve found a photographer who you want to work with and want to take them with you. If you limit yourself to photographers local to your venue, there’s no guarantee that they will understand the culture of your wedding. Language barriers can also be an issue.

Q2: What is Your Experience with Destination Wedding Photography?

I’ve shot many weddings across Europe, from the hills of Austria to sunny Barcelona. I’ve photographed all sorts of weddings, different cultures and creeds. Humanist, Jewish, Pagan, Christian, Catholic, Ba’hai…you name it. Weddings are awesome events and deserve to be photographed with honesty and integrity, so no matter the location or the type of celebration you’re having, you know that the pictures you get from me are going to be awesome.

Q3: How Do We Handle Logistics?

Logistics can seem daunting when planning a destination wedding, but that’s where my experience comes in. We’ll discuss all the necessary arrangements, such as travel and accommodation, and work out a detailed timeline for your big day. Ensuring I arrive a few days early, I will scout the location, plan for different weather conditions, and be fully prepared for your special day.

Q4: Can We Have an Engagement Session at the Destination?

Absolutely! An engagement session at your wedding destination is not only a great opportunity for stunning photos, but also a chance for us to build rapport and for you to become comfortable in front of the camera. This way, on the wedding day, you’ll feel more at ease and the candid emotions will shine through naturally.

Q5: How Do You Approach Cultural Differences and Traditions?

Every culture has its own unique customs and traditions. As a seasoned destination wedding photographer, I respect and embrace these differences. I take the time to understand your cultural nuances and traditions, ensuring they’re captured respectfully and accurately.

Q6: How Long Will it Take to Receive Our Photos?

I understand the excitement to see your wedding photos! My typical turnaround time is about 6 to 8 weeks. Rest assured, every image receives my personal attention to ensure you get the best representation of your unique destination wedding.

So how does it work, who books what?

I do not charge additional fees for my services or for travel time. I ask that you book my flights and transfers and pay for sustenance for the duration of my stay. I arrive two days before the wedding to familiarise myself with the surroundings and get used to a new time zone if we are further afield. If you are planning a destination wedding in the US or Australia, arriving a day earlier than usual may be needed to factor in the extra travel time and associated fatigue. In all honesty, putting together a package that covers all eventualities is near enough impossible without specific details. Please do get in touch to arrange a call or meeting and we can get the ball rolling.

Before taking the decision on who to book as your destination wedding photographer, please take plenty of time to scroll through my wedding photography blog and portfolio page to get an idea of my style. If you are based in the UK, let’s meet up for a drink to discuss plans and see if you think I would be a good fit for your day. If you are based abroad, we can always arrange a skype call so you can see my face.

I often get asked about my kit and whether transporting it is safe. I keep that bag clutched to me like Winnie the Pooh with a jar of honey. I will never check my cameras in, even if super hard cases do exist, bags still get lost. Imagine if they went missing! Forget that, I would have a heart attack.

Your Destination Wedding Photographer Awaits

I hope this FAQ has provided some insights into the world of destination wedding photography. If you have more questions or if you’re ready to embark on this exciting journey together, feel free to reach out. I can’t wait to hear about your destination wedding dreams! Being a destination wedding photographer is amazing because it is pure adventure. It is a buzz like no other. I have had so many funny moments happen to me whilst shooting destination weddings and I’m pleased to say that whilst on these adventures, I have made some amazing friends. Contact me at Liam Smith Photography for any questions about bookings! If you’d like to see this wedding story in full from Barcelona, check it out.

When in a foreign land there is a warmth that can be felt by all guests and family. I’ve never been to a destination wedding and not felt it. Everyone welcomes you into their culture with the warmest of embraces and I immediately feel like one of the family. You eat together, drink together, sing together. It’s magical.

New people, new places, new culture. Most importantly, new food! I remember when I went to Croatia and the bridesmaids took me on a food journey through the local town. Being so close to Italy had penetrated the food culture and I had was eating two slices of pizza and gelato at the same time, I could not get it in my face fast enough.

These events pick you up and take you with them, typically the majority of guests have travelled to the location and there is an air of pulling the wedding together as a community. Everyone is chipping in to run to the shops for last minute ribbon – but wait, who’s got the rental car! I’ve seen it all, the singer lose her voice in the dry heat, the parents pane delayed, sudden downpour in the hottest part of the world. It’s a whirlwind, and it’s so bloody exciting.

One of my favourite tales as a destination wedding photographer was when I landed at the airport with the groom and his two best men. We sauntered up to the rental car office, exchanging witticisms and discussing plans of the epic event about to unfold. Then we hear the words, ‘there’s been a mistake – I am so sorry’. Fast forward twenty minutes and I am laying on top of a crate of schleur in the back of a van with no windows…and no air conditioning. This turned into one of the best trips of my life. We had one day to get to the venue, when there’s no choice, you do what’s needed. We had a five hour drive ahead of us, keep calm and carry on.

No one should ever lie on top of schleur (does that even still exist?) but why was it so good you ask? Well I’ll tell you. To break up the trip we decided we’d go on an epic food bender which would start in a local town known for it’s pastry. Cue the custard tarts. Holy Maholy (Nagy – photography gags) I’ve never eaten anything like it. We went all in on jams, pastries, pizzas, coffees and cakes. My food horizons widened and sufficiently satiated, I slept on that schleur with glee and woke up just as we arrived on a balmy summers evening.

 

A few answers to frequently asked questions.

You will only need to fly me out to the destination, unless of course you hire a second photographer through me as well. I do not have a team or an assistant.
If you are having a wedding that also has pre-wedding festivities ceremonies, I’m more than happy to come even earlier than usual to photograph those too. Get in touch and I can put together a custom quote for you.

Hey Liam, why don’t we simply hire a photographer who lives in the country that we are getting married?
Honestly, I hope you are on my site because you want me, Liam Smith, to photograph your wedding (My name is actually Liam Bailey-Smith these days, I changed it when I got married cos I’m a cool, modern man).

All photographers are different and see the world differently, which is why photography is such an exciting medium to work in. From a practical point of view language barrier could be an issue, if you’re unable to meet the photographer before booking or booking a package deal then you have no idea who will turn up on the day. Secondly if we are in the same country, it’s much easier for us to meet in the first instance (so you know if you like me), and then I can physically deliver your photographs.

Want to see an example of a destination wedding? Check out this wedding where I was supposed to be a guest in borgo pignano and inveraray