The Importance of Pre-Wedding Consultations: Building Trust and Understanding with Clients

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Article: description: Wedding consultations are a critical part of a wedding photography gig. It’s when you learn about the couple and their wants, and present them with how you will meet those desires.
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When people think about wedding photography, their minds usually go straight to beautiful wedding ceremonies and receptions. However, any experienced wedding photographer will tell you it’s SO much more than that. And it all starts with the pre-wedding consultations. 

Wedding consultations are where you display photos from past gigs, build trust and understanding with clients, make a plan with the loving couple, set your price, and more. For us, they are, without a doubt, one of the most important parts of the entire wedding photography process.

That’s why we were shocked to discover how little time and effort so many photographers put into their wedding consultations. Don’t be one of them! Instead, join us as we explore the importance of wedding consultations and how you can improve yours!

Check out the video above by Hillary Muelleck to learn how to ROCK your next wedding photography consultation and for booking tips for wedding photographers. 

Table of Contents

Establishing Expectations and Vision in Wedding Consultations

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Setting realistic and achievable expectations is crucial for both you (the wedding photographer) and the couple. If the goals and vision of the two parties align from the beginning, the chances of something going wrong decrease exponentially. Moreover, if everyone is on the same page, it makes your job easier and is one less thing the soon-to-be newlyweds have to worry about.  

Here are a few tips to establish expectations during wedding consultations.

  • Talk through the style, theme, and location of the wedding. Topics to discuss include the venue, decorations, number of guests, and overall aesthetic.
  • Clarify the expectations of your job duties, coverage, timeline, and final deliverables. Will you shoot photos and video or only photos? This knowledge helps determine the cost and if you need to hire another photographer or videographer. 
  • Address any questions, concerns, or requests the couple may have regarding photoshoots and the final images. 

Wedding Consultations Should Build Rapport and Trust

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You also want to foster trust and build rapport with your clients during wedding consultations, which starts by always being open and honest with them. Being transparent and friendly from the first meeting (and maintaining that transparency throughout the wedding process) creates a positive working environment and makes it easier to communicate with each other. 

  • Here are some excellent ways to build rapport and trust during pre-wedding photography consultations.
  • Listen actively to the couple’s ideas, concerns, and preferences. Maintain eye contact with them throughout the meeting and demonstrate signs of empathy and understanding.
  • Share examples of your previous work to showcase your experience and gain professional credibility. This includes your wedding photography portfolio and testimonials from other clients.
  • Present various product packages so the couple can choose the best fit for their needs and budget. Offer high-quality products like a metal print to WOW them. 

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Use Wedding Consultations to Plan for the Wedding Day

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At the wedding consultations, you should discuss the wedding day and the specific events the couple wants photos of. That way, you can ensure that you capture them all on camera. Furthermore, knowing the exact schedule of events for the big day well in advance lets you make a detailed game plan for tackling it. 

For example, where does the couple prefer you to be when multiple things happen simultaneously? In the lobby, taking photos of guests, or in the dressing room while the bride is getting ready? Here are more things we recommend squaring away with the couple during consultations regarding their wedding day.

  • Address important logistical considerations, including venue restrictions, lighting conditions, and weather contingencies. Also, it’s always a good idea to scout the wedding venue in advance if feasible.
  • Make a plan together and get the final timeline approved by the couple. This will ensure sufficient time to go from place to place without feeling rushed and allow you to capture all the essential shots.
  • Are there any other days the couple wants photoshoots before or after the wedding? Today, it’s extremely common for couples to take engagement and wedding photos on days different from the actual events. This gives you even more fodder for presenting them with a signature print, perhaps an oversized metal print they can proudly display in their home!

Customizing the Photography Experience

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For many couples, it will be their first time getting married. But who knows, you might have shot hundreds of weddings by now. That experience makes you an expert on the subject, and wedding consultations are the perfect time to share the photography knowledge you’ve accumulated through the years. 

Therefore, you should offer guidance and suggestions on everything from photo locations to poses and work with the couple to personalize their dream shot list. Of course, you want to listen to the couple’s requests and incorporate them into your plan, but don’t be afraid to offer advice as you see fit.

You should also customize their final photography package during wedding consultations. Every couple is different, and some may want only digital copies of the photos, while others might want metal prints, framed metal prints, small prints to display on a desk or credenza, and so forth.

For items like these, Large Metal Prints is a fantastic partner that can help you deliver high-quality photo products to your clients. With incredibly detailed prints with beautiful colors, deep blacks, and bright whites, Large Metal Prints delivers the type of quality your clients deserve. See what I mean in the video above!

Better still, these prints act like a billboard for your business - when people see a big, beautiful metal print of your clients at their wedding, guests will ask who took the photo, giving you access to another pool of potential clients. It’s a win-win!

Managing Expectations and Addressing Concerns in Wedding Consultations

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We already mentioned that one of the most important things you must do in your first wedding consultation is to set expectations. However, we can’t completely forget about them once they are set. Throughout the rest of the wedding photography process, we have to continuously manage those expectations and address any issues that pop up along the way.

Many things can happen during a wedding photography shoot, so you must constantly communicate with the couple and update them on timeline changes, turnaround times, post-production processes, etc. Finally, a good wedding photographer should also be a reassuring voice of reason and guidance to alleviate the couple's worries and anxieties. 

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Disclaimer: Our articles might have affiliate links and the occasional sponsored content, but don't sweat it – if you buy something, we get a little kickback at no extra cost to you, and we only hype products we truly believe in!

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