We’ve already helped you book your dream wedding venue in Columbia. When planning your nuptials, the next step is selecting who will capture your special day for yourself + your beloved, your Facebook albums + Instagram posts and your posterity – your wedding photographer. Trust me – do this ASAP. Photographers can book out over a year in advance.

It’s the person who creates the photos of your bridesmaids helping you with your veil; your first look at your bride-to-be before the ceremony; your Aunt Margie attempting to do the floss on the dance floor... This is the person in charge of your wedding memories.

Some advice I’ve gotten as a newly-engaged bride-to-be in the throes of wedding planning: Your wedding photographer is the vendor with whom you’ll spend the most face-to-face time on your big day. Make sure you clique with each other via a FaceTime or phone call before booking.

Columbia has many professional wedding photographers at a range of price points. Each studio + photographer has its own unique look + feel, so we want to help you find your perfect fit.

Ablaze Photography | Instagram: 📸 @ablazegram | Cost: 💰$1,800-$4,200 | This husband + wife duo accept ~15 weddings a year – so you better book them quickly if you fall in love with their romantic + timeless style. Photographers Corey + Ashley Potter were middle-school sweethearts turned husband-and-wife – I’m not crying. You’re crying.

Ablaze Photography | Photo by @ablazegram

Alexis Schwallier Photography | 📸 @aschwallierphotography | 💰$2,600+ | Schwallier works with clients to perfect a wedding timeline/shot list to ensure that every moment important to you is captured. She’ll even go over your Pinterest board with you.

Alexis Schwallier Photography | Photo by @aschwallierphotography

Among the Pines Photography | 📸@amongthepinesphotography | 💰$2,700+ | This new studio on the block opened this year; made up of two independently-established photographers, Forrest Clonts + David Childers – and it already has a five-star reputation for magical-looking photos.

Among the Pines Photography | Photo by @amongthepinesphotography

Beulah Photography | 📸 @beulahphotography | 💰contact for prices | Awarded a 4.9 ranking on Wedding Wire. We love Torbert’s elegant + personality-filled shots.

Beulah Photography | Photo by @beulahphotography

Charlie Mather Photography | 📸@charliematherphotography | 💰contact for prices | Mather is known for going above + beyond for his clients, working with them to customize photography packages.

Charlie Mather Photography | Photo by @charliematherphotography

Clark Berry Photography | 📸 @clarkberryphotography | 💰$2,900+ | All packages include two main photographers, and they promise to keep family/group shots ~20 minutes or less. Read: no grumpy flower girl + ring bearer.

Clark Berry Photography | Photo by @clarkberryphotography

Courtney Wise Photography | 📸 @courtneywisephotography | 💰$3,200+ | Wedding packages include an engagement session, USB with photos + print release. It would be wise to consider this photographer’s light, airy style.

Courtney Wise Photography | Photo by @courtneywisephotography

Holly Graciano Photography | 📸 @hollygraciano | 💰contact for prices | Graciano’s work has been featured in The Knot and Carolina Bride magazines.

Holly Graciano Photography | Photo by @hollygraciano

Jessica Hunt Photography | 📸@jhuntphotos | 💰$3,000+ | Her packages include access to a private client lounge experience, where she walks you through the steps of wedding photography.

Jessica Hunt Photography | Photo by @jhuntphotos

Jessica Roberts | 📸@jessicarobertsphoto | 💰$3,000+ with an associate photographer price for lower budgets | Roberts prides herself on her ability to make clients feel comfortable + bathed in love. 🛀 Just so you know, she requested that emoji.

Jessica Roberts Photography | Photo by @jessicaroberstphoto

Joshua Aaron Photography | 📸@joshuaaaronphoto | 💰wedding coverage $3,500, bridal portrait sessions $500 | Husband + wife photography team – which was voted The State’s Best Photographer 2017. Who captures love better than a couple in love themselves? Check out their adorable Meet Us page (featuring a pint-sized assistant) here.

Joshua Aaron Photography | Photo by @joshuaaaronphoto

Karly Richardson Photography | 📸@karly.richardson | 💰$3,600+ | Richardson photographs on film – which we think is really cool in a world of digital. She offers discounts on future sessions to any couple whose wedding she photographed. Read: discounted baby photos.

Karly Richardson Photography | Photo by @karly.richardson

Landon Jacob Productions | 📸 @landonjacob | 💰contact for prices | This Nashville-raised couple has experience shooting weddings all over S.C., including Columbia, Charleston + Hilton Head. We can’t stop scrolling through their stunning portfolio.

Landon Jacobs Photography | Photo by @landonjacob

Lola Dee Photography | 📸@loladeephoto | 💰$2,000+ | This extroverted artist discovered her passion while photographing friends’ weddings and hasn’t stopped since.

Lola Dee Photography | Photo by @loladeephoto

Melissa Brewer Photography | 📸 @melissabrewerphoto | 💰$2,400+ | All wedding collections include a complimentary engagement session. Brewer believes in getting to know a couple before the wedding so that she can capture their special day exactly as they want it.

Melissa Brewer Photography | Photo by @melissabrewerphoto

Nina Bashaw Photography | 📸 @ninabashaw | 💰$2,700-4,700 + a la carte items | Featured in The Knot Best of Weddings 2018. Look out for some Cola favorites on her list of preferred vendors.

Nina Bashaw Photography | Photo by @ninabashaw

Palmetto Duo Photography | 📸 @palmettoduo | 💰single-photographer packages $1,900+, duo-photographer packages $2,800+ | Both photographers on this team – Katie Hart + Dave Gilbert – have their own unique style, giving your photos variety. You might have even caught some of their work gracing the covers of Columbia Bride or Carolina Bride.

Palmetto Duo Photography | Photo by @palmettoduo

Stephanie Rae Photography | 📸 @stephanieraesc | 💰$1,500+ | Each wedding package includes a complimentary engagement session. Rae also works as a clinical counselor here in Columbia. Side hustle strong.

Stephanie Rae Photography | Photo by @stephanieraesc

Studio Two One Two | 📸 @studiotwoonetwo | 💰$2,295+ | Patty Hallman was inducted into The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame – which features only 2% of wedding vendors – and her studio was given Wedding Wire’s “Couple’s Choice Award” for 2017 + 2018.

Studio Two One Two | Photo by @studiotwoonetwo

Tiffany Ellis Photography | 📸 @tiffanyellisphoto | 💰contact for prices | A wedding, portrait + lifestyle-focused solo photog. We’re crushing hard on her bright + natural style.

Tiffany Ellis Photography | Photo by @tiffanyellisphoto

Wedding planning is stressful, but choosing the right vendors for you is the key to a relaxed and happy day. When it comes to wedding photographers, one size definitely does not fit all. Hopefully, our list will help you find your photographer match as perfect as these couples.

What other local wedding photogs should we have on our radar? As always, let us know your own favorites in the comments.

Did you have your meet-cute or first date with your S.O. at a Columbia Fireflies game? Email us at hello@colatoday.com for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

–Beth + Gray, COLAtoday Fall intern