Wedding Photography Pricing: What to Expect and How to Choose

After the cake is eaten and the flowers have wilted, your photos are all that remain from your wedding day. Photography is consistently rated as couples' top priority, and understanding pricing helps you invest wisely.

Budget tier ($1,500-$2,500): newer photographers building their portfolio. You'll get 6-8 hours of coverage, one photographer, and digital images. Quality varies widely — review full wedding galleries, not just highlight reels.

Mid-range tier ($2,500-$5,000): experienced photographers with established styles. Expect 8-10 hours, one photographer plus an assistant or second shooter, engagement session, online gallery, and 300-600+ edited images.

Premium tier ($5,000-$8,000+): top-tier photographers with magazine features and extensive experience. Full day coverage, two photographers, engagement session, album credits, fine art editing, and typically faster delivery.

What's worth paying for: a second photographer ($500-$1,500 extra) captures different angles during the ceremony and can photograph groom prep simultaneously with bride prep. This is the single best upgrade for most couples.

Albums are extra, and photographers' pricing is high: $500-$3,000 for a professional album. Consider getting the digital files and ordering an album yourself through services like Artifact Uprising or Shutterfly for $200-$500.

Questions to ask every photographer: how many weddings have you shot? Can I see full galleries (not just portfolio highlights)? What's your backup plan if you're sick or equipment fails? What's included in the price? When will I receive my images?

Red flags: no contract or vague contracts, keeping your images (you should own them), no backup equipment, unwillingness to share full galleries, and prices significantly below market rate (may indicate inexperience or unreliability).

Engagement sessions ($200-$500 if not included) serve two purposes: you get beautiful photos AND you practice being photographed. The comfort you build with your photographer translates to better wedding day images.

Timeline tip: allocate 2-3 hours between ceremony and reception for couple portraits, wedding party photos, and family formals. Rushing this time is the most common regret couples have about their photography.