The most challenging part of planning your wedding is most likely setting, and sticking to, a reasonable budget. And while opting out of napkins preprinted with your names on them may be a possibility, skimping on your wedding photography is probably not something you want to consider. Here are some tips to still get award winning wedding photography on a limited budget.

Do It Yourself

If you have a friend or family member that is camera-savvy, approach them about being your wedding photographer instead of hiring a professional. While you should still plan to offer some monetary compensation for this project, you’ll be able to snag a friend or relative for much less money than a professional. And as an added bonus your wedding guests might be apt to take more natural pictures if they’re being photographed by a familiar face. You can still set time aside for formal pictures, and in the rapidly growing age of digital photography you’ll have some room to go in and do some editing to produce your award winning wedding photography.

Another fun idea to capture award winning wedding photography without hiring a professional is to leave disposable cameras on each table at your reception. If you can afford to, try to leave one for every guest, and ask them all to deposit them in a box at the end of your reception. You’ll have many different perspectives on your reception, and you’ll let each of your guests contribute to your photo albums. Your guests will have a great time taking pictures for you. Leave a little note on each plate with the disposable camera explaining that each guest has been hired as a freelance photojournalistic photographer for the evening!

The Next Best Thing to a Pro

If you aren’t comfortable with getting a friend or family member to take your award winning wedding photography, but can’t shell out the full amount for a full-blown professional photographer, grab the next best thing: a photography student. Check your local classified ads for students available for freelance work, or contact your local community college or four year institution and inquire about placing an ad for photography students. Upper classmen will already have portfolios put together of their work for school, so you won’t be hiring them blindly. An added bonus is that fact that you’re giving a student a great opportunity to gain experience and put together a portfolio of award winning wedding photography!