From small to big weddings: How much are wedding photographers?
Congratulations on your engagement! What an exciting and beautiful chapter that you and your significant other are about to embark on. As you begin this (exciting) journey of planning your wedding day, you have probably started to take note of your wedding budget. Amongst all the theme designing, dress picking and venue styling, you’ve begun to wonder how you’ll capture your wedding day with beautiful and timeless photos to look back on forever. You’re now looking for a wedding photographer and given all the costs you’ve noted in your wedding budget, one question remains: How much are wedding photographers?
The cost of wedding photographers isn’t one standard answer.
I’ve been a photographer for 6 years, and a wedding photographer for 2. I’ve met many photographers in the wedding industry, gaining insight on different kinds of wedding photographers and what they charge for different kinds of weddings.
So I’ve broken down the cost of wedding photographers to each style of wedding, other factors to be mindful of and things to consider when budgeting for your wedding photographer. Let’s get started.
The cost of wedding photographers depends on the type of wedding
Elopements and intimate gatherings
With more couples ditching the big fancy weddings that cost a lung and a kidney, elopement weddings are becoming more and more common in recent years.
Budget friendly, cosy and intimate, and celebrating with only your nearest and dearest loved ones, the cost of a wedding photographer for an intimate sized wedding ranges from $900 up to $2,000. Yes, even in these small settings, your love story deserves to be captured beautifully.
Here’s the thing about elopement weddings:
If your wedding photographer happens to be in the city that you are eloping to, you may only need to pay them for their time, experience and skill.
However, if you require your desired wedding photographer to do a fair amount of travel to meet you at your destination, you will need to factor in travel fees and accommodation costs on top time, experience and skill.
Summary: Estimated spend for elopement wedding photographers are $900 - $2,000 for a quarter to a half-day wedding (2-5 hours).
Humble to Mid-sized Weddings
Where love fills the air and celebrations abound! Mid-sized Weddings are the “just right” when it comes to weddings. With a more elaborate itinerary, larger guest list (I’d say from 80-120 people), and a longer day, expect to budget $3,000 to $5,000 for a mid-sized wedding photographer. These weddings offer more room for magic, with extended coverage from getting ready, to the ceremony, post-ceremony portraits to the reception.
Expect your wedding photographer to work with what’s called a “second photographer” to help capture every moment of your wedding day at different angles. Second photographers are crucial to the wedding photography process as to not miss a single moment. All photographers will work with a second photographer especially during getting ready (bride side and groom side) and the ceremony, so expect that person to be included in the costs of your wedding photographer.
Summary: Estimated spend for a wedding photographer $3,000 - $5,000 for a half-day up to a full-day wedding (5-8 hours).
Grand Ceremonies and Extravagant Affairs
Ah, the grand affair! For these opulent wedding celebrations, where no dream is too big and no detail too small, the day is long and the itinerary and more than elaborate, investing in top-tier wedding photography services is a must. With a wedding guest list of over 180, multiple programmes, a grandeur and luxury sized wedding, the cost of hiring a wedding photographer can range from $5,000 to $15,000 or even more. This kind of pricing will include an equally seasoned and experienced second photographer and general runner or assistant. Rest assured, for these seasoned photographers bring not just skill and a treasure trove of experience, but also warmth and a high level of understanding to your grand vision.
Summary: Estimated spend for a wedding photographer $5,000 - $15,000 for a full-day wedding (10-12 hours).
Factors Influencing the Cost of Wedding Photographers
Now, let's take a peek behind the lens and talk about the factors influencing wedding photography pricing. From experience and expertise to equipment and technology, each element plays a role in crafting your picture-perfect memories. Remember, it's not just about snapping photos—it's about capturing the essence of your love story with care and artistry.
Experience and Expertise: Established photographers with a proven track record may command higher fees due to their reputation and skill level. Generally, wedding photographers with more than 2 years of wedding photography experience charge from $300 up to $500 per hour for a wedding.
Equipment and Technology: Professional-grade cameras, lenses, and editing software are essential tools for capturing and editing high-quality images, and the cost of this equipment factors into pricing.
Time and Effort: From pre-wedding consultations to post-production editing, photographers dedicate considerable time and effort to ensure client satisfaction, reflecting in their pricing structure.
Additional Services: Extras such as engagement sessions, photo albums, and second shooters contribute to the overall cost of photography packages.
How to Budgeting for a Wedding Photographer
As you embark on this journey, here are a few friendly tips to help you navigate the world of wedding photography costs:
Prioritise Your Heart's Desires: Allocate a generous portion of your wedding budget to photography, for these memories will last a lifetime.
Explore with Joy: Take your time to explore the portfolios and pricing of various photographers, letting your heart guide you to the perfect match. Don’t rush to book a wedding photographer just because you need one. Make sure they understand your vision, have a proven portfolio to display their skills and aesthetics, and they match your energy.
Share Your Dreams: Communication is key! Be open about your vision and desires and have some direction so that your photographer understands and embraces your unique love story through the art of photography and storytelling!
Plan Ahead: Most established wedding photographers book out seasons in advance. So make sure to plan ahead to secure your dream photographer well in advance to avoid any last-minute stress.
Choose a Wedding Photographer you can TRUST
By understanding the expected costs and factors influencing the costs of your wedding photographer, you can approach your search for a wedding photographer with clarity and confidence so that you can choose a wedding photographer you know you can trust. So, take a deep breath, envision the magic of your day, and find a wedding photographer that can provide you with a photo gallery to last a lifetime.
At Mind Love Photography, you can expect wedding photography packages from as little as $960 for elopement and registry weddings, to up to $3,700 for full day wedding photography coverage. We are all about simplicity with an editorial finish, in every aspect of our work, and that includes our booking process.
With easy to understand customisable packages, pricing transparency with no hidden costs, and comprehensible timeline planning so that no petal of the day is left unturned, you can be rest assured that we will take care of your wedding from start to finish.
If you are looking for a wedding photographer that embodies simplicity, warmth, candidness and romance with an editorial finish, let’s chat about your 2025 wedding!
