If you are like many brides in the U.S. who want to have an exotic wedding abroad, it can be difficult to plan when it comes to your wedding day photographer. How do you find one? What experience should they have? Where in the world do you begin? I have some suggestions to give you a jump start on finding the best photographer for your destination wedding.

Where To Look For A Wedding Photographer

The first question to ask yourself when beginning the search for a destination wedding photographer is, "Do I want someone from the U.S. or someone on location?" There are good things and bad things about both of these. If you choose someone from the U.S., the absolute first thing to do is make sure they have a means to travel out of the country legally, using a U.S. Passport. There is no sense in working with someone who does not already have a Passport because they can take weeks or months to receive. Hiring someone local can often mean that the lines of communication are easier and more open since you are in the same place.

On the other hand, hiring a destination photographer from the wedding location means they are already there and know what the location looks like and how the setting is. With hiring a person from your exotic location, you will not have to pay any travel fees, such as flights or accommodations. Also, they know what outlets are necessary in the country. This is absolutely important because if you do choose someone from the U.S., precautions and planning have to be made to make sure their equipment can be charged and ready to go. Otherwise, you will have a photographer with no ability to charge batteries.

Ask Around

One of the best ways to learn about what and who is good is to ask around. Try searching for "destination wedding photographers" in Google and see what you find. Read articles and forums on the internet to see what real brides have said about their experiences. Get in touch with the venue your are being wed at and see if they have a list of vendors they recommend. Pay close attention to the cost of destination photographers. Be aware of your budget before hand. Knowing what your budget is before ever seeing a dollar sign can help you be more comfortable with choosing a photographer.

Plan, Plan, Plan

All wedding days can create chaos and confusion. Have a list of shots that you want the photographer to capture at your destination. For the family, bridal party, and bride and groom shots, let the photographer know exactly where and when you want these photos to commence. Give a time frame of when you want the photos to be taken, before or after the ceremony. When people travel, things can often become very unorganized. Having a plan for what wedding day photos you want and when you want them to happen will help guide the photographer towards seeing your destination photography vision.

Don't Forget The Big Picture

No matter how stressful things can be, remember what is important: you are getting married to the person you love at the location of your dreams. No matter if you get married near an exotic waterfall or on the coast of Africa, this day is about the vision you had for your destination wedding. The photographer’s lens will always be aimed somewhere around you, so be sure to put on your prettiest smile and have fun! The less you pay attention to the photographer (when not in the formal photos) the more you will get the wedding pictures that show the real personality of you. Making sure to take the steps necessary in advance before the wedding will allow you freedom and relaxation on your wedding day, knowing that everything, including the photography, for your destination wedding is covered.