DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER UK
Planning on tying the knot abroad and want the security of having a destination wedding photographer capture the adventure of a lifetime?
Then why not have one of the most sought after UK photographers travel to your destination…
THE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHS YOU’VE DREAMED OF
Hi!, I’m Wes Simpson, a creative documentary destination wedding photographer from the UK and available to cover your wedding worldwide. The process of booking me is simple, the adventure will be fun and my passport is ready…
I come to your wedding with more than 15 years of experience shooting destination weddings. My background in the media industry together with knowledge of body language has given me an incredible gift of being able to see an image in my mind before I’ve pressed the shutter. This unique skill of being able to capture emotion has seen me photograph weddings worldwide, won multiple awards and seen my work featured in Vogue and Hello! Magazine. So if you’re planning on getting married abroad and looking for a photographer to capture the magic of your wedding, then I’m the guy for you.
For me, destination weddings are extra special, the added air of excitement of family and friends all being in an unfamiliar environment, a beautiful beach on the Island of love in Cyprus, a romantic fun filled wedding party in Ibiza, colourful Amalfi Coast or the magic of Tuscany in Italy. There is always an added sense of adventure and romance that makes a destination wedding exciting.
I’m a traveller at heart so being a destination wedding photographer is a no brainer. Ever since my first job as a cruise ship photographer over 15 years ago based out of the USA. I love to experience new cultures and landscapes and my biggest passions are food, music and travel, so I feel extremely lucky that I get to combine all this with my profession as a professional documentary wedding photographer.
BENEFITS OF CHOOSING ME AS YOUR DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
Once the suntan fades all that is left are your memories and your wedding photos. In many ways, I believe hiring a photographer you trust and whose style you like is even more important when planning a destination wedding than getting married at home. Family and friends have invested in travel and a holiday to see you tie the knot in unfamiliar surroundings and everyone back home will want to experience the excitement of your wedding through your photographs.
With this in mind, I make it as easy as possible to book me. I usually travel out to your destination a few days prior to the wedding and we would have met in person or connected via FaceTime many times before the wedding. Before the wedding, we will have a planning meeting (in the resort) to discuss all the finer details of the event, to scout locations and to perfect your photograph collection. After the wedding you will receive an online gallery, this will showcase all the images taken.
If you choose one of our album collections, once you return home you will be involved in the album design process. This will include a design ‘proof’ before the album is printed, this way you will get to approve your album before it’s printed. This means I don’t just turn up on the last day of your holiday with a set of prints, YOU are involved in the process every step of the way which means your album will be perfect.
DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER REVIEWS
“TOP 10 DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS IN THE UK”
– ZankYou Weddings
WHERE ELSE HAVE YOU PHOTOGRAPHED A WEDDING OR ENGAGEMENT SESSION?
A lot of my destinations weddings have been in Europe with popular destinations being –
Cyprus – Protaras, Paphos, Larnaca, Ayia Nappa, Nissi Beach.
Italy – The Amalfi Coast, Positano, Sorrento, Lake Como and Tuscany.
Spain – Ibiza and Marbella.
Turkey – and Greece to name a few.
During my earlier career as a cruise ship photographer I photographed in some incredible locations, some of the standout destinations include Miami, Mexico, Jamaica, The Caribbean, and The Bahamas.
WOULDN’T IT BE EASIER HIRING A PHOTOGRAPHER AT MY DESTINATION?
Not necessarily. I believe hiring a wedding photographer to not only capture your precious wedding memories but also attend your special day is a personal thing. Your venue, dress, flowers, and cake can all look perfect on the day, but it’s the skilful shooting, expert lighting and thoughtful composition of your wedding photographer that will shape the memories of the day as you look back on your wedding for years to come.
Typically hiring photographers from your wedding location cannot only end up more expensive but riskier in terms of receiving your images. Past clients have decided against hiring foreign photographers for a couple of reasons. It is not only harder to coordinate with them about the details of your event prior to the wedding day, (basic things like your style and ‘most have pictures’ but if you were to have any questions about your photography, rather than having to deal with a prolonged and inconvenient correspondence, you could simply just come directly to me for assistance.
Helpful advice when booking a destination wedding photographer
Many photographers based in the resort and booked via your destination wedding planner or holiday representatives maybe on a retainer, therefore there are incentives and ‘commission’ to be gained by the planner ‘recommending’ a certain photographer. ‘The recommended photographer’ may or may not have the experience you require, the skill to capture the moments that truly matter or the photography they produce may not be a perfect fit your lifestyle or taste. Basically, the real reason for the recommendation may not be down to talent or a perceived good fit but due to the commission received.
In addition, I have experienced many couples being sold a photographer package that is ‘cleverly’ priced per-hour or it’s a pre-agreed package that falls short of covering important parts of the wedding day. Then, once you are in the resort and just 24 hours before the wedding you might find out your ‘package’ doesn’t include things like the speeches and sunset pictures are extra! Of course, they tell you that this can be included and added on to your package, but it will double your initial investment.
DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER COST
Another common scenario with a ‘package deal destination wedding photographer’ is the photographer will ‘upsell’ the photography package the day before you leave, in this, showing you more images and better products than your initial investment covers with the threat of ‘we destroy the images once you leave.’ The problem with these two situations are, they are the only pictures you have and once you see them you will be very tempted to buy them. In hindsight, the budget you end up spending would have more inline with a photographer that is to your choosing and not the local ‘budget photographer’ who has been able to ‘up-sell’ his products and services due to an opportunity of buyers remorse.
Over the years I’ve made friends with many talented resort photographers. So if I’m unavailable to cover your wedding I might be able to point you in the right direction of another photographer. Alternatively, I would suggest doing your research and touching base with any photographer your wedding planner suggests. Ask them to send you examples of their work and to include full galleries and a full days wedding from start to finish.
You can see my approach here and view full weddings here
HOW LONG ARE YOU AT MY DESTINATION FOR?
I would usually need to fly out up to 2/3 days prior to the wedding day in advance. The reason for this is that I would like to have plenty of time to scout out your wedding venue as well as ensure that I will be on time to the location on the day of your wedding. This also covers a wedding planning meeting the day before and you might want to take advantage of a pre-wedding shoot. In addition, flying out in plenty of time helps combat any flight delays, provides rest, any climate and time adjustments.
As for the departing flight, I typically fly out the day after your last event (or at the best cost-effective flight opportunity) your last event might include a post-wedding location shoot, an after party or a ‘cherish the dress shoot.’
DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGES
I tailor my destination wedding photography packages to your needs and budget but typically, a lot of my destination weddings are between 3 and 7-day events. This can include photographic coverage at a pre-wedding party, BBQ or family meal on arrival, the wedding day itself and a post-wedding shoot.
DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOSHOOT
Wedding days go by in a blink of an eye, so a post-wedding photoshoot (especially during a destination wedding) is a fantastic excuse to put on your wedding dress again! This could be a ‘cherish the dress’ style shoot taking advantage of nearby famous landmarks and beauty spots creating true works of art. For the more adventurous a ‘trash the dress’ style shoot at sunset on the local beach might be your thing or we could capture the true essence of your location and visit a nearby town or city mixing street style photography with wedding photography for some fashion inspired images. Whatever option you choose I guarantee a fun time and truly unique set images to add to your wedding collection.
DO I NEED TO BOOK FLIGHTS & ACCOMMODATION?
Yes, more often than not. Because you will have knowledge of the location and in addition, you might be able to take advantage of adding me to a block booking for a discount or use your travel miles/rewards. I just ask that you send me the flight information ahead of time just so that we may approve the details (flight times, transfers, layovers, etc.) I am based in the North West of England so available to travel from both Manchester and Liverpool airports.
In terms of accommodation, if it helps to keep the cost down, I don’t need to stay at your 5* hotel or luxury wedding venue. My accommodation just needs to be within close proximity and to include car hire car or pre-arranged transportation if needed.
DO YOU OFFER DISCOUNT FOR DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY?
Unfortunately, I don’t usually offer discounted packages for my destination wedding photographer service. Because I am away from my office for longer than a UK wedding and unable to carry out any other work whilst out of the country, so the prices would be the same as my regular packages with the additional travel/lodging costs. However, feel free to check with me, if your wedding is on my bucket list or it’s a favourite destination of mine, exceptions can always be made! The good news is, I don’t charge for travel days or for my time being away from my office either side of the wedding day.
DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER FEES AND PRICES?
My destination wedding photographer service is the same as my regular wedding photography prices (here). The only additional costs that my clients would be responsible for are as follows:
1) Airfare & Baggage Fees
2) Hotel accommodations (typically 3/5 nights but dependent on the length of the event and location)
3) Rental car or travel arrangements (if needed)
4) Vendor meals for the day of the event(s)
5) If not all-inclusive, bed and breakfast or £150 towards additional meals and expenses.