Save money hiring a professional wedding photographer

Here are some tips for saving money when hiring a wedding photographer:

- Avoid peak wedding season. The most expensive times to get married are late spring through early fall. Having your wedding in the off-season, like winter, can mean big photographer discounts.

- Look for young, talented photographers just starting out. They'll likely charge much less than established pros. Check Instagram, Facebook, and wedding blogs for up-and-coming photographers with great portfolios.

- Ask about discounted packages. Many photographers offer bundle deals for a set number of hours and an album. This can be cheaper than paying hourly.

- Only book for the hours you need. You may not need a photographer for your whole wedding day. Just book them for a few hours to capture the ceremony and family photos.

- Skip the second shooter. If your guest list is small, you may not need to pay for a second photographer.

- Get the images on a thumb drive and do your own albums and reprints.

- Ask about limited rights. If you only need digital images and don't want to print professional photos, look for limited print rights packages.

- Bundle video and photography together to get a discounted price

- Consider an "elopement special." Some photographers offer discounted rates for tiny weddings and elopements.

- Get married on an off day. Having your wedding on a Friday or Sunday can mean lower rates.

- Ask about payment plans. See if your photographer offers payment installments to make the cost more affordable.