Wedding Photography - How many wedding photos are enough?

At Kauai Island Weddings we offer 300 Photos with our standard photography package, and sometimes we are asked: 300 Photos for a Wedding sounds like a lot. Aren't 36-100 pictures more normal?

Well, yes, it’s true that most photographers shoot 36 to 100 images for the same price we shoot 300. It’s also true that 36-100 shots can’t possibly capture the beauty and elegance of a beach wedding on Kauai. We will shoot those 100 pictures in the ceremony alone, the most emotional part of your event. We have the bride walking onto the beach, the groom waiting in anticipation, the couple holding hands, the Hawaiian lei exchange, the blessing of the rings, the exchange of vows, the exchange of the rings, the kiss, the Hawaiian wedding song; and that's just the wedding ceremony taking only 20 minutes. After the ceremony we will spend about an hour and a half with the couple taking a variety of romantic beautiful shots on the beach. We simply can not shoot your complete event in 60 photographs, it's not possible...

The original reason behind 36 photos was that that’s how film was sold in rolls of 24 or 36 shots, and when the change over to digital came along, many photographers just kept everything the same; although they did shoot more images, they would only tell you about them later and offer them to you at an extra cost. Every photographer we know will shoot more than the 36-100 pictures you have commissioned from them, and will try to up-sell you after you've received your pictures, letting you know that he has additional photographs that are gorgeous and you can purchase them at an additional cost. So when hiring your wedding photographer interview them well, find out about how they handle additional pictures and also inquire about copyright issues to your images.

Even though your wedding photos are of you, the bride and groom, and you have paid for them; copyright law dictates that the photographer owns the images. Most companies charge extra for a copyright release, and this is generally for a specific image, and not the whole lot. At Kauai Island Weddings all customers get a free joint copyright to all of their images - that's a great added bonus, and it's free.

How much does the average wedding in Kauai cost?

There are many wedding planners and packages to choose from, and having been on the Board of the Kauai Wedding Professionals Association for many years now, we found that the average cost of getting married will be between $900 and $1,200 for a couple eloping. This includes photography, the wedding ceremony, usually 2 complimentary fresh flower leis, and assistance with the wedding license & location.

There are many companies that'll offer low-end packages of $900 or just below, but you'll only get a few wedding photos included in these packages, with the option of buying additional ones at a later time after the wedding. This is a good trick to get you to book at a low cost and then up-sell you after your wedding if you want the really pretty pictures that aren't included in your wedding photography package, so look out for this. We've seen packages with just 24, 36, 40, 50, or 70 pictures that seem to save you a few dollars, but by the time you'll add the extra photos being offered to you after you're wedding, you're paying more than you've originally budgeted for.

Some couples opt for a more fancy affair, including site fees for a waterfall or other private venue, or maybe a wedding video that will be cherished for all time. Couples have many choices to customize their wedding packages to get exactly what they desire.

Larger groups mean larger costs for photography, coordination, and the big one: the reception dinner.

Why you should get married in Kauai rather than any other Hawaiian Island...

Kauai is the most romantic of the Hawaiian Islands and is referred to as the Wedding Island of Kauai. It's oldest island, offering the most lush scenery & beauty and it distinguishes itself by having the most beaches of all of the Hawaiian Islands - a total of 90 miles. While the Big Island refers to lava rock as "the beach", and Maui's coastline is quite narrow, Kauai has it all: tropical beaches, white sandy beaches, a black sand beach, and beaches that are mostly deserted and empty. It's approximately the same size as Oahu, but while Oahu has over 1 Million residents, Kauai has only 60,000. This is where you'll find the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, and a breathtaking stretch of coastline called the Na Pali Coast.

Kauai is called the Wedding Island of Kauai The Polynesian people consider Kauai "the heart of the planet" Has the most beaches of all of the Hawaiian islands - over 90 miles in total Most beaches are deserted Most beautiful of the Hawaiian Islands Only 60,000 residents (Oahu has over 1 Million and Maui 200,000) Small and quaint place, that feels like time has stood still

How to save money, and still get married this year.

The latest "Wedding Report" tells us that the average cost of a wedding in the United States is now $28,704. Now, some people will pay more than that and some less, however on AVERAGE that's the cost of getting married in America nowadays...except in Hawaii!
At Kauai Island Weddings, we don't think you should have to spend that kind of money just for the wedding, and remember that's not including the Honeymoon or the Flights there and back. We believe we can offer you an alternative that will give you more for your money. 

Elope, or bring some family & friends. Kauai, the most beautiful of all the Hawaiian islands awaits you with romance, blue skies and tropical breezes, and an array of unforgettable fun activities...
We've put together wedding packages including, good accommodation, the wedding ceremony, photography, and extras that are tens of thousands of dollars less than the "average price of a Wedding in America". Let us help you realize your dream come true destination wedding in Hawaii, including seven night accommodation, all for under $3,000. All you need are your flights and rental car, we'll take care of all the rest...
Don't cancel your wedding because you don't have that $28,704, have it in Kauai instead!
Call Mike at 808-822-5381 for more information.