Destination Weddings

WALK DOWN A FOREIGN AISLE!?
The World might be in an economic downturn, but not so the world of destination weddings.
In Canada, the number of tropical, out-of-country "I dos" grows steadily every year, and so does the guest list. Thanks to all-inclusive Mexican and Caribbean resort packages with low or no-cost weddings thrown in, there's no doubt: This is growing industry.
(Toronto-Metro, Newspaper)

We all know the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs to China and India, but Service jobs are in jeopardy too!? REALLY?
In fact it has taken already a big toll on wedding photographers here in Canada. We all can feel it, this and other articles support the theory.
In my experience I have seen many many friends and acquaintances tying the knot in the Caribbean, which directly influenced my business.

Every time, usually once a year on my family vacation in the Caribbean or Mexico I see up to three weddings a day and 90% of Bride&Grooms are Canadiens.

This is a huge trend, much cheaper wedding, but to what price? Me personally I have not seen one wedding setup in the Destination Countries that I would like to be mine!

But lots of people simply LOVE IT!!!!!!!

How is the situation where you are and does anyone see this trend as a big deal?
Do you shoot any and how many and how do you price it?

I was asked by some of my friends to go with them, they would pay for one week accommodation in return for free images on CD.

This might be OK for friends, could be fun, relaxing, enjoy the sun and party all at the same time. But how many weddings can you really do like this and how about earning your living?

Any better approach to destination weddings?

I offer reduced rates for destination weddings only if the B&G are willing to pay for me to have a few extra days at the venue. This way I get a "mini vacation". I did this last year in Cancun, and have another one scheduled for next year. However, even though I give the couple a reduced price, I'm still making money on the shoot.

jcolman wrote in post #15142580
I offer reduced rates for destination weddings only if the B&G are willing to pay for me to have a few extra days at the venue. This way I get a "mini vacation". I did this last year in Cancun, and have another one scheduled for next year. However, even though I give the couple a reduced price, I'm still making money on the shoot.

That is a good approach. I guess you are in the States, how is the situation or lets say ratio of destination vs. home town weddings where you are? Do you see a downturn because of this?

I do at least one every year... 2-3 used to be more common, but family life made it a bit harder...

in the beginning, it was easy... my wife would come with, she might help with carrying stuff, etc.. (mostly not really) and I'd spend 1/2 a day for the wedding, and an hour here and there throughout the week for a sunset dinner on the beach shoot, horse-riding shoot, family shots, etc...

then my wife was pregnant... she came along for the trip, but it was now harder on me with scheduling for work and looking after her, etc...
then her and our very young daughter came the following year... more work for me still!
then I went on my own... spent too much time on skype and hearing "I wish we would have come with you - I need sleep"
now our daughter is 4, and we're looking forward to this November's getaway wedding!

One thing to remember on destination weddings... the things that can disable you seem to outnumber the things that can disable you at home... resorts and off-resorts temptations can be bad! bad food.. bad water... all-inclusive bars... sunburns... off-resort excursions (I once twisted an ankle the day before a wedding because I wanted to do a 'small' hike')... its good to treat it like a vacation, but remember to be careful!

Armans Photography wrote in post #15142644
=Arman's Photography;15142644]T​hat is a good approach. I guess you are in the States, how is the situation or lets say ratio of destination vs. home town weddings where you are? Do you see a downturn because of this?

I only get one or two inquiries for destination weddings a year. I'm talking with a bride right now from NJ about shooting her wedding in Punta Cana next year. Most of the other "destination" weddings I get are all in other states. Like most people, the vast majority of my weddings are local.

SMP_Homer wrote in post #15142850
One thing to remember on destination weddings... the things that can disable you seem to outnumber the things that can disable you at home... resorts and off-resorts temptations can be bad! bad food.. bad water... all-inclusive bars... sunburns... off-resort excursions (I once twisted an ankle the day before a wedding because I wanted to do a 'small' hike')... its good to treat it like a vacation, but remember to be careful!

Solid advice right there.

I charge my normal package rate, plus travel, sustenance, visa costs and accommodation. If I can extend my stay into a mini break sometimes I may be flexible on the accommodation. That is for overseas weddings.

I've had 3 enquiries so far for overseas weddings in 2014. Thailand, Bali and the US.

I do about 10 weddings per season which are what I'd call local destination weddings. 300kms or so from home. With these I charge for travel and accommodation.

I generally try to avoid them, unless they are truly a unique destination.

The thing about destination photography is that most people aren't willing to spend the amount that makes it worth my time. I absolutely will not cut them a deal because it's "kinda like a vacation too". Not a chance, it's WORK any way you put it.

Especially those mexico/cuba/jamaica/DR weddings... they all look exactly the same. It's not even unique as a Canadian to have tropical beach wedding photos. I happily haven't done one since 2006. There are so many things that can go wrong.

You gotta REALLY enjoy doing destination weddings, because in terms of income per hour spent, they're generally a lot lower for tropical destination weddings. I'd rather be home, have more time for myself, my family and business, and make the same amount of money.

^^^ pretty much!
the only time I consider one is if the flight days are not a weekend... otherwise its 2 weekends gone, and as Lloyd said, the $$ isn't there for it...

The last one I shot was in Cyprus. My total travel time was 54 hours (roundtrip, door to door) and I spent 84 hours in Cyprus, of which I had only about 8 hours of personal time. Definitely not much of a vacation!

I am confused. Why would the B&G pay to haul a photog to say Bahamas instead of hiring one there? I am sure any place one goes will have pro photogs; even amateurs can shoot at people standing at a beach.
I mean, say someone in NYC wants to get married in Hawaii, do they invite friends and family to go there? Fine. What if there is a storm or some natural event in NYC(Sandy) that prevents anyone from going there? What if couple break up 5 days before, does the photog still get to go to Hawaii for free?

Gomar wrote in post #15643863
I am confused. Why would the B&G pay to haul a photog to say Bahamas instead of hiring one there? I am sure any place one goes will have pro photogs; even amateurs can shoot at people standing at a beach.

Yeah but they aren't wanting to hire the other photographers are they. You're making the assumption that all are the same. They aren't. Couples will pay to have me travel to a wedding because they want me shooting it, not any one else.

I encountered a number of couples who think photographers should charge less because they are covering travel/hotel. On the contrary I always think photographers should charge more for destination weddings, to accommodate for the lost travel time that could have been spent bringing in revenue.

I charge my normal rates for wedding, plus discounted rate for travel days. B&G pay all travel expenses.