The Complete Guide to Hiring a Wedding Photographer: Costs and Considerations

Planning your wedding involves making a range of decisions, and selecting a photographer to capture every magical moment is one of the most important. However, many couples find themselves unsure about what to expect regarding the cost of hiring a wedding photographer. This guide will cover all the key factors that influence photography costs, insights from our network of suppliers, and tips for making the right choice to fit your budget and vision.

1. Understanding the Basics: What’s Included in a Wedding Photographer's Fee?

When budgeting for a wedding photographer, it's helpful to know what’s typically included. Most photographers offer packages that include:

• Hours of Coverage: Standard packages often range from 6 to 10 hours, though some may offer a full day or even multi-day options.

• Editing and Post-Production: After the wedding, your photographer will spend many hours editing and perfecting your images. This can be one of the costliest parts of the package due to the time and skill required.

• Digital and Physical Deliverables: Commonly, photographers provide digital galleries, high-resolution images, and print rights. Some may also include albums or framed prints, especially in premium packages.

We work with 100s of wedding photographers across the UK and prices typically vary depending on coverage length and the post-production process. These are frequently cited as key factors in pricing from our photographers themselves, often influencing whether a package falls within the budget or premium range.

2. Average Costs of Wedding Photography

The cost of a wedding photographer in the UK can vary widely based on location, experience, and services included. Here’s a rough breakdown:

• Basic Packages: Starting from around £500 to £1,000, typically for a few hours of coverage, a single photographer, and basic editing.

• Mid-Range Packages: Between £1,500 to £3,000, with 6-8 hours of coverage, comprehensive editing, and potentially a second photographer.

• Premium Packages: £3,000 and above, often including full-day coverage, a second shooter, custom albums, and extensive editing.

We can see from the 1000s of wedding photography enquiries on our platform that most couples opt for packages in the £1000-£2,500 range, prioritising a balance between coverage time and post-production quality. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the cost of wedding photography. 

Average cost breakdown

We can see that the average wedding photography cost hovers around the £1500 mark with prices slightly higher in London and varying by region.

Distribution of enquiries

When looking at how our enquiries are distributed, this is where we see the lions share of requests between the £1000 and £2500 mark

3. Factors Influencing Photography Costs

Several elements impact the overall cost of wedding photography. Here’s what to keep in mind:

a. Experience and Reputation

Photographers with an established reputation, a robust portfolio, or specialised skills in areas like photojournalistic or editorial styles may charge more. Our data indicates that highly experienced photographers, especially those with a niche style, tend to attract premium pricing.

b. Location of the Event

Weddings in large cities like London or Manchester may come with higher rates compared to rural or less populous areas. Additionally, some photographers may charge travel fees, especially for destination weddings.

c. Package Inclusions

Some photographers include extras like engagement sessions, printed albums, or a second photographer. We frequently survey our suppliers about the experience with customers and they inform us that couples often choose packages with albums or prints, which can elevate costs but add value to the final product.

d. Peak Season Pricing

The wedding season, typically from late spring to early autumn, may see higher prices due to demand. Photographers report an uptick in prices during peak season, and they recommend booking well in advance.

4. Key Questions to Ask When Hiring a Wedding Photographer

Finding the right photographer goes beyond cost. We’ve written a whole blog on the key questions to ask your wedding photographer but here are some essential questions to ask:

• What’s your photography style? (e.g., traditional, documentary, editorial)

• What is included in the package? Clarify if there are any additional fees.

• How many edited images can we expect?

• Do you charge extra for travel or overtime?

• Can we view full albums of previous weddings?

We advise couples to request full wedding galleries instead of highlight reels to understand the photographer's work across an entire event.

5. Extra Services and Hidden Costs to Watch For

Ad-ons aren’t designed to trick you but it is important to be aware of the usual pricing structure of wedding photographers and videographers. Be mindful of add-ons that can increase your photography budget. These may include:

• Additional Hours: If your event runs longer than expected, photographers may charge for extra hours.

• Engagement or Pre-Wedding Shoots: Often an optional add-on, engagement sessions are a great way to get comfortable with your photographer.

• Photo Albums and Prints: While some packages include albums, others offer them as an extra service. High-quality photo albums can add anywhere from £300 to £1,000 to the package price.

One thing we recommend having a look into is an engagement session with your photographer before your big day. This is a session that usually lasts 1-2 hours on site ahead of your actual wedding day. It offers a chance for you to get to know your photographer and their style in more detail and get a sense of preferences ahead of the photos that will be taken on your wedding day itself. The photos used in the session can be used in save the date cards or to use at your reception for added value too.

6. How to Maximize Your Photography Budget

You don’t have to break the bank to get quality wedding photography. Here are some tips to make the most of your budget:

• Prioritise Key Moments: If your budget is limited, prioritise essential parts of the day, like the ceremony, couple portraits, and key reception moments. This may allow shorter hire times or packages as opposed to full days.

• Book Early: Secure your photographer early to avoid peak season (Summer months). Some Togather photographers even offer early booking discounts.

• Consider a Second Shooter: If your wedding is large, having a second shooter can capture more angles and candid moments. This is a popular choice among couples surveyed by Togather, particularly for events with over 100 guests.

• Opt for Digital Files Only: Forgoing physical albums and prints can reduce costs if you’re happy with digital images only.

7. Top Recommendations from Our Photographers

For first hand insight, we surveyed our community of photographers, who shared a few insights:

• “What’s your biggest piece of advice to a customer who is thinking about planning an event for the first time?”

• Barry Powell from Memories Photography: “Do your homework.”

• Laura Barber from Lilypad Productions: “Always think about the bigger picture, how every detail fits into the whole event experience.”

• James Keates from JK Weddings: “Set a budget and stick to it. Decide on non-negotiable elements.”

• “What do you think are the top things to look out for when picking a photographer or videographer?”

• Balazs Hollenbach from Balazs Hollenbach Photography: “Look for a consistent style. Clients should be able to see that their images will reflect the photographer’s unique touch.”

• James Keates from JK Weddings: “Consider style, portfolio, personality, and experience—these factors ensure you’ll feel comfortable and get the results you want.”

• “What additional costs should customers consider when hiring a photographer?”

• JK Weddings: “Editing, additional hours coverage, and travel.”

• Laura Barber from Lilypad Productions: “Be clear about what’s covered, such as editing, as it’s often included in some packages but not all.”

• “What are the most common questions customers ask when booking?”

• Peter Bird: “Often, customers ask for advice on what to cover during the day, as they may be unsure of the key moments to prioritize.”

• Balazs Hollenbach: “Many ask how many photos they can expect. It’s useful to set this expectation upfront.”

• “For customers with a tighter budget, what tips would you give them?”

• Barry Powell: “Choose their hours carefully to cover the most important parts of the day.”

• James Keates: “Limit the amount of hours they need photography coverage for; this can significantly lower the cost.”

Hiring a wedding photographer is a significant investment in preserving memories. By understanding the various factors that affect cost, asking the right questions, and maximizing your budget, you can find a photographer who captures your wedding beautifully without overspending.

Our network of expert photographers is here to help you navigate your options and connect with professionals who meet your needs. With the right photographer, you’ll have a timeless collection of memories to look back on and cherish for a lifetime.

This guide should help couples navigate their options and set realistic expectations for their wedding photography budget, ensuring their choice aligns with both their budget and their dream wedding vision.