Ask The Celebration Advisor: Can you help?? I am helping my sister plan her wedding. Our parents are deceased. My sister's future in-laws offered to pay for the wedding photographer, but my sister wants to make sure she's following proper wedding etiquette. So, who normally pays for the wedding photographer and how far in advance should we look for and book one? Tracy Lynn, Lowell Massachusetts

The Celebration Advisor: Thanks for your question, Tracy Lynn! It's very sweet of you to help your sister plan her wedding! That should turn out to be a great bonding experience for you and her. Your question is one that can be easily answered and will help your sister out tremendously.

• Traditional wedding etiquette states that the family of the bride is responsible for the wedding photographer.

BUT...modern brides (even in Lowell) are less stringent about wedding etiquette these days. Much etiquette is now dictated by the situation of the couple and their families. After all, we've come a long way since the days that the bride's family paid for it all. It's estimated that 55% of modern brides still pay for the wedding photographer. However, couples also pay for the wedding photographer together. Brides often team with relatives to pay for the wedding photographer. 50% of grooms bear this responsibility, so it's not outside the realm of wedding etiquette to allow the in-laws to pay for the wedding photographer.

It's obviously a big gesture for your sister's in-laws to offer to pay for any of the wedding, especially a big part like the wedding photographer. Without offending them, there are easy ways to accept their gesture without compromising wedding etiquette. If your sister is a stickler for tradition, suggest that she discuss other traditional wedding payment roles with her in-laws. For example, traditionally the groom and groom's family are responsible for the rehearsal dinner other things like this. If you'd like more ideas, visit this blog about wedding expenses (who pays for what).

When you consider hiring a wedding photographer in Lowell MA, put that on the bride's list of things to buy since she favors traditional wedding etiquette roles. Her in-laws can still contribute in other ways (which will be a big burden off of her own shoulders) and will not feel left out of the ceremony.

As far as when you should begin looking for a wedding photographer, begin right away! Once a date has been set, it's never too early to begin the search for a wedding photographer in Lowell. Wedding Photographers book up fast. Depending on the season in which your wedding falls, it's best to begin looking as soon as you know a set-in-stone date.

Don't forget to return to Wedding And Party Network and share the wedding photos with us! Enjoy the ceremony!

Increase internet exposure to your business by submitting your company information for inclusion in the Wedding Photographers category of the Lowell, MA (Massachusetts) Wedding & Party Network.