What You Need To Know If You’re Looking For Destination Wedding Photographer And Videographer

Are you are planning a destination wedding in Riviera Maya, Mexico?

Then you know that a TON of details need to be organized before you can stand in the warm ivory sand next to a twinking turquoise sea and say ‘I Do!’ to your best friend.

You will need to choose the best wedding venue, send out Save-The-Dates on time, make a wedding website, deal with wedding guests and conflicts, find the perfect beach wedding dress, flowers, decor…

It’s enough to make a bride’s head spin!

Then you blink and it’s all over.

Your married friends tell you that your wedding day goes by so fast. And when the dust settles, what will you be left with?

Hopefully, you will have prioritized finding the best Cancun wedding photographers and videographers on that endless To-Do list, because years from now, when memories have faded, you will want to remember all that hard work and the countless details that went into your Best Day Ever, right?

This is not a decision to be made lightly!

Here is what you need to know when looking for a destination wedding photographer and videographer.

Are there any hidden fees when hiring a wedding photographer & videographer?

Do you want to get married on the beach at an all-inclusive resort between Cancun and Tulum?

Heads up! There’s something super important you need to know about hiring your own wedding vendors:

All-inclusive resorts are going to charge you a penalty, called an outside vendor fee, to bring in your chosen wedding photographer, videographer, hair & makeup artist, DJ…anyone! These fees can be hundreds or thousands of dollars, and are nothing more than a short-sighted cash grab to strong-arm you into hiring their onsite employees.

But like it or not, these fees are a reality, and you need to budget for them.

Outside vendor fees differ from resort to resort, can change at any time (and sometimes even from bride to bride!) so it’s super important that you inquire directly and get everything in writing.

In some resorts, you will be charged per vendor. Meaning that if you hire both photographers and videographers, you can be charged a fee for each. OUCH!

However, the nice thing is that most resorts still recognize one company providing both of your photo and video services as being one vendor.

Soooo, wanna to save a few hundred bucks? (or more?)

When you are looking for a destination wedding photographer and videographer between Cancun and Tulum, narrow your search to companies that can offer you both.

(For more information on outside vendor fees and how to deal with them, read this next)

Do the wedding photographers and videographers work well as a team?

We agree with The Knot’s advice here. While they don’t have to be best friends, you don’t want to choose vendors who are at odds. Have you ever needed to deal with someone at work who you didn’t mesh with, who had the knack of stepping on your toes, or who somehow got in the way of you doing your best?

The wedding industry is not immune to these kinds of conflicts either.

The photographers and videographers you choose need to have a healthy respect for each other’s work or you will likely suffer the consequences.

Picture for example, the videographer who follows the bride all the way down the aisle because that is his vision, while the photographer ends up with some sweaty dude in all of these crucial photos. (Yup, it happens!)

When you are looking for a destination wedding photographer and videographer, ask them if they have they worked together before and if they like and recommend each other. It’s better to learn about any potential bumps before your wedding day.

What’s the safest way to guarantee a photo and video team who work well together?

Choose to go with a company who can provide both services.

Looking for package deals for destination wedding photography and videography?

Are you the type of bride who is a master negotiator?

Do you like to save a few bucks where you can?

Your best ammunition in negotiating a photo & video package will come from sticking with one company for both services. Speaking from experience, a company is in a much better position to work with your requests when they have control of all services involved. They can negotiate with the team on your behalf, saving you time and stress.

And speaking of keeping things easy, when you work with one company rather than multiple companies, you also only need to deal with one payment process, one contract, one point of contact etc…

Who doesn’t want a shorter To-Do List for their destination wedding?

Do the photographers and videographers speak your language?

Newsflash: In Mexico, most people DO NOT speak English!

It’s easy to forget that Mexico is whole other country, with its own culture, customs and languages. This is what makes it exciting and endearing!

However, be prepared to run into communication issues when you first start planning a destination wedding in Riviera Maya, Mexico. You will notice right away from email correspondence whether or not English is a first language or if everything is being run through Google Translate. Do you want to risk miscommunication coming back to haunt you on your wedding day?

Also, Mexicans are seriously relaxed people, which again can be a double-edged sword. It certainly makes for a tranquil vacation vibe, but when there is very little urgency with regards to your wedding plans, and you are the type of bride who expects prompt responses to your questions, you should probably stick with a company who comes with a built-in First World mentality.

Just sayin’.

Let’s take a final a step in narrowing your search for the best destination wedding photographers and videographers in Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum-

We offer you BOTH services in our packages, speak perfect English, and understand what you need to make your Big Day perfect, so contact us today! We are Fun In The Sun Weddings, the top destination wedding photography and videography company in the Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Let’s hear it. What is your biggest challenge in finding the best destination wedding photographers and videographers in Riviera Maya, Mexico? Leave your comments below!