Nothing is more fun than a mountain wedding in Colorado. The views, the weather, the light! Couples love mountain weddings for the unparalleled scenery and quaint, historic towns.

How to Chose the Right Mountain Wedding Photographer for You

Choosing a wedding photographer can be stressful. There are photos to look at, prices to evaluate, interviews to have. But these are all important parts of your decision, so take your time and use this guide to help you chose the right wedding photographer!

First check their portfolio. If you like what you see and can envision yourself in their photos then the portfolio is a good match. Make sure they show you an entire gallery so you can see the consistency and the true style from a whole wedding day. Are they:

• light and airy?
• photo-journalistic?
• dramatic?

Make sure you LOVE their style and that they are consistent throughout multiple mountain weddings.

The next step is to interview them .This is the critical part. Your personalities have to match and you have to feel comfortable with them- you are going to embark on a very personal relationship. This person is going to be with you for the entire day and perhaps an engagement session and multiple phone calls and planning sessions. You need to jive with them and enjoy their presence. If they make you feel uncomfortable or do not seem professional they are not a good match, no matter how great their portfolio or their price point is.

How Much Does Mountain Wedding Photography Cost?

Wedding photography pricing ranges from $4000-$9500+ depending on coverage time, the experience of the pro, number of photographers and included photo products.

There are several factors affecting the pricing of a wedding photographer, some are specific to the mountain towns like local knowledge of the mountains and the unpredictable weather patterns and the best (and worst) photo locations.

• Experience & Reliability: Established photographers with extensive portfolios are more expensive then photographers just starting out
• Hours of coverage: 8+ hours are a full-day of coverage with more hours being more pricey
• Multiple photographers: More photographers can add cost but also add coverage and variety
• Products & albums: High-end studios will provide albums and printed products from reputable printing companies and stand by their products with lifetime warranties

Engagement Sessions (Why Do They Matter?)

Engagement sessions are great for getting to know your photographer and getting use to his/her style. It is also a great way to get professional photos as a couple, perhaps in a season that is different from your wedding. Use this opportunity to have pro photos in a more casual look and get comfortable being in front of the camera.

Have more questions about engagement session in Crested Butte? Check out my posts:

• What to Wear for Engagement Photos
• How to Feel Relaxed in Your Engagement Photos
• Where to Take Stunning Engagement Photos in Crested Butte

Building the Perfect Mountain Wedding Day Timeline

Building the perfect timeline for your wedding day can be confusing without a wedding planner or a professional photographer to guide you. If you are not hiring a wedding planner use your photographer to help you with the day’s timeline. Here are some parts of the day to include:

• Getting ready
• First look
• Ceremony time
• Family photos
• Sunset portraits
• Toasts
• Cake cutting
• First dance/ parent dance
• Party

Guest Info is Important!

High elevation can bring unique conditions for your guests, including:

• stronger sun-rays
• less oxygen
• thinner air

Mountainous terrain for your venues also brings conditions that need to be addressed with your guests. Weather patterns are different in the mountains, with summer thunderstorms rolling in during the afternoons. Venues are often on rocky, dirt ground and will bring cooler temps eve in the summer months.

Prepare your guests correctly and get planning tips here: 8 Tips for Your Guests

What Happens After the Mountain Wedding?

Most wedding photographers will plan a in-studio or virtual meeting after your wedding to discuss your included products and the possible purchase of additional products. They will often provide a slideshow of their best images as well as a gallery of all the images.

The gallery of the best of images should be delivered within 48 hours with the remaining gallery of images within a month.

Visit Third Eye Photography for more info and images of mountain weddings!