Should I pick a photographer who’s recommended by my venue?

After you’ve said “yes” …

And you’ve celebrated in style, shared the happy news, set the date, and booked your venue, your next to-do is simple (but also super complex): Build your wedding dream team. 

And at the top of your list (I hope!) is a phenomenal photographer.

Now, the wedding world is full of fab photographers, from savvy stalwarts with years of experience under their camera straps to fresh-faced emerging talent.

And it’s a world with diverse photography styles too, from the classic to the cool to the chic to the cutesy. Never has there been so much choice. And never has it been so easy to find and book photographers from all over the world … Kudos to Pinterest and the ‘Gram!

But with so many contenders it can be hard to make a shortlist. Who’s best? Who’s reputable? Who’s truly good at what they do? It’s a minefield.

So it’s wise to seek recommendations.

And one good source of knowledge is your wedding venue. After all, you’ve already got a great relationship with the resident planner. They’ve given you amazing advice and ideas, they seem oh so pro, and you totally trust their judgement. So, when they send you their list of recommended suppliers, it seems like a sensible solution to pick one of the photographers listed on it.

Right?

Well, hold your horse-drawn carriage!

Because here’s the thing:

Not all supplier lists are equal.

So here’s what you need to know about wedding venues’ recommended supplier lists…

The three types of venue supplier lists

The ‘merit’ list

Typically, this is a fairly short list with a few carefully curated photographers. Those featured are most likely (but not always, keep reading!) to be there based on the quality of their work and service.

This list is tough to get on and tougher still to stay on. First, you have to stand out from the scores of other photographers a venue sees. Next, you have to continually prove yourself – you’re only as good as your last wedding. And finally, you must be a pleasure for the venue team to work with. Then, and only then, will you secure yourself a spot on this revered list. 

IMHO, this is the most useful type of recommended list, and well worth your attention.

The ‘I paid to be here’ list

Yep. It exists. There might be an annual flat fee, or it could be a percentage of the value of each wedding. 

Now, that’s not inherently bad, but the paid element raises questions (and my hackles!).

In particular, it brings the integrity of the list into doubt. How is the list created? Merit first and fee second? You might hope this is the case, but it isn’t always.

A few years ago, I received a call from an agency that was working on behalf of a wedding venue. They were cold-calling all the photographers in the area and inviting them to be on the venue’s supplier list – for a fee. They only had ‘space’ for five photographers, so you had to “get in quick” to secure a spot. No merit required at all for that one. But equally, I’ve experienced a rigorous multi-stage selection process for another fee-paying list.

In short: This is a messy and contentious approach – but it’s not necessarily a problem if there’s utmost integrity and complete openness. 

The ‘who’s who’ list

This list is less cream-of-the-crop and more of a glorified directory of the local wedding industry. 

It tends to be a long list. Some photographers might be there based on merit; others may not be. Either way, getting on the list is relatively easy, sometimes as simple as meeting at a networking event.

This type of list is handy if you need to quickly contact a lot of photographers to find someone who’s free for a last-minute booking. But otherwise, it’s a lot of people to trawl through.

So now you know about the different types of recommended supplier lists.

But how do you know what kind of list your venue has given you?

Questions to ask your wedding venue about their supplier list

Here are some questions to help you find out what your venue’s recommended supplier list is based on:

“How do you curate your list?”

Why you should ask it: Every venue has a different way to choose preferred suppliers. And the selection criteria they use impact the type and quality of photographers they recommend. 

Hint: It’s a great sign when a venue can sing the praises of each of the suggested suppliers with passion and pride.

“Do the photographers pay to be on your list?”

When blogs, Instagram influencers, and magazines share sponsored content, they have to disclose it. But venues? Nope. Don’t worry though, you’ll likely guess the answer from their reaction! As for how you feel about it? That’s totally up to you. Just make sure you know the answer to the previous question to guide you. 

“Can we choose a photographer who’s not on your list? And are there any implications for this?”

Sometimes a venue will insist you use ‘their’ suppliers. 

This isn’t always a bad thing. For example, working in high-profile historic houses requires appropriate insurance, a lot of respect and TLC, and a whole lot of trust on the venue’s part. So if you choose a photographer from a set list it protects the venue. 

But if it’s because the venue will miss out on the commission they would have earned from you booking a recommended photographer? That’s another matter.

“When did you last update your list?”

Sometimes venues review their supplier lists annually. Sometimes they update them throughout the year. And sometimes they rarely update things – which means you might miss out on incredible photographers who are new to the industry or local area.

Decided your venue’s supplier list has potential – but unsure what it actually gives you? Let’s explore what it means to book one of your venue’s recommended photographers…

Five reasons why it might be a great idea to pick a photographer your venue recommends

When a photographer is recommended based on their experience at the venue, the quality of their work, and the level of their service, you could get:

1. Peace of mind

It’s fair to assume a venue’s recommended photographer has photographed at least one wedding at that venue. (But it isn’t a dead cert, so do check.)

And whilst it isn’t necessary for your wedding photographer to have worked at your venue before, it’s understandable if you feel more confident with that experience.

It gives your venue team peace of mind too. Because they won’t have to take time out of their busy day to show the photographer around, tell them where they can and can’t go, or inform them of their house rules. Which means they can devote more time to you.

2. A tight team on your side

When you tell your venue you’ve booked their fave wedding suppliers for your day, they’ll either breathe a silent sigh or do a ‘robot meets the cha-cha slide’ dance. Yep, they’ll be over the moon! 

I know this because I feel that way too. My job is so much easier when I work alongside my business besties. When a team gels, everything flows.

And when it comes to your wedding day, your venue and photographer will liaise and interact a lot behind the scenes. They’ll continually compare plans, talk timelines, and check in with each other to make your day run smoothly.

#teamworkmakesthedreamwork #really

Closely related to that is …

3. A happy atmosphere

The more your venue and photographer gel, the more they’ll enjoy their work together.

Think co-workers having fun sounds like a nice-to-have? Well, imagine how much their happy energy will add to your wedding.

You can simply leave them to do their thing – and your day will be better for it.

4. Smooth sailing

Every venue has unique systems and processes. And a photographer who knows the house rules makes your venue’s job much easier…

Never move the furniture at Kelmarsh Hall. Don’t even think about putting a lens cap on the fireplace at Boughton House. Steer clear of public areas at Rushton Hall. Leave your kit under the stairs at Holdenby House. And finish the group photos on time – everywhere.  

Rules sound like a bore. But if your suppliers follow them, you’ll get the best experience – and photos. 

Which goes hand-in-hand with …

5. More scope for your photos

Your venue should (more on this later!) have faith in the suppliers on their recommended list.

And that’s good for your wedding photos because trust brings support and freedom. And when I’m left alone to do my thing, I create better photos. Also, if my back’s against the wall, I’m more likely to be able to stretch a venue’s usual boundaries.

For example, on a rainy day, I might want to go to a location that’s normally off-limits or move some furniture around to make space for indoor portraits. The venues that know me well, have confidence that I’ll leave everything as I found it, so they’ll allow me to do what I need. A photographer they don’t know might not get the same latitude.

So that’s five great reasons to choose a wedding photographer from a venue’s recommended supplier list.

But … 

(There’s always a ‘but’ isn’t there?!)

The seemingly simple list isn’t as straightforward as it might appear.

Why is this?…

Three reasons why it might not be a good idea to choose one of your venue’s recommended photographers

Let’s talk about the elephant in the ballroom: Whatever type of list your venue has, it isn’t based just on you.

Here are some things a venue list might not take into account – but you should…

1. Photography style

There are as many different styles of photography as there are photographers (and you know there are a lot of us!) Every photographer has a unique combination of style, skill, and approach that only they bring together. And a venue’s list can’t possibly cover them all. Not even that glorified directory!

2. The photographer’s personality

It’s a safe bet the photographers your venue recommends are a good personality match for the venue. But the odds aren’t in your favour so much. So while they might get on with your venue’s team, it’s vital you and your partner connect with them too. A quick video chat may be in order to get to know them.

3. The price (and your priorities)

A venue’s list doesn’t consider your budget or priorities. For example, a luxurious venue might only recommend pricier photographers, but if you don’t want to allocate a large proportion of your budget to your photos then you might want to look at other options.

So now you know about the pros and cons of venue-recommended supplier lists.

But what if your venue’s vision for a photographer doesn’t match yours? Or you’re head over heels for a photographer who isn’t on their list?

What to do if the photographers on your venue’s recommended list aren’t right for you

A venue can’t assess every photographer. They meet a lot, for sure. But there will undoubtedly be many, many more photographers who could do an absolutely brilliant job with your wedding photography.

And not being recommended by a venue isn’t a bad thing. 

Remember:

• Many photographers refuse to pay to be on a supplier list because they believe a recommendation should be 100% based on their skills, experience, and service. 
• It’s notoriously hard to get on a merit-based supplier list. So many photographers aren’t recommended by any wedding venues at all. But that doesn’t mean they’re not good. It just means they market their business differently.

So don’t be put off if there’s a photographer you like who isn’t recommended by your venue – or the ones on the list don’t match what you have in mind.

Why not ask your venue for more input? Many venues will be honoured and thrilled to support you in your search.

Try these questions:

“Have you worked with [insert amazing photographer’s name] before?”

Feedback and testimonials are great. If your venue has worked with your photographer before, they might be able to share some useful insights about their experience. 

“Can you suggest a photographer with [insert your preferred look] style?”

Remember what I said about your venue not being able to recommend a photographer based on the style you want? Yep, that part is up to you. But that doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. Your venue might be able to make a one-off recommendation or ask their trusted contacts for a suggestion.

What next?

Research research research!

It’s wise to check out any photographer thoroughly, recommended or not, to be sure they can capture your day the way you want. Your photos are forever so please be sure your photographer is right for you.

Want to stick around for more? 

Here for the pretty photos? Take a looksie at my wedding photography portfolio.

Love the real chat? Check out my other wedding venue photography guides!

Woof! Guess what? When it comes down to the bone, we always sniff before we snaffle. 

Which is to say … don’t be afraid to do your research! All noses – and humans – are unique. Only you know what smells best for you. 

Happy hunting!

Daisy and Poppy