How Much is Wedding Photography? A Guide on the Costs
Planning a wedding involves many important decisions, with one of the most significant being the cost of wedding photography.
We’ve written a guide that will take a look into the average cost for a wedding photographer in the UK, why it can be expensive, and advice on how to manage your budget.
Let’s get into it.
The Average Cost for a Wedding Photographer in the UK
Unfortunately, costs can vary.
We took a look at 50 wedding photographer’s prices here in Dorset and found that the average package ranges between £1,000 and £3000:
The average cost for a wedding photographer can differ based on several factors, including the photographer’s experience, location, and the extent of the coverage provided.
Full-Day Coverage typically includes:
Pre-Wedding Consultation: Discussing your vision, preferences, and schedule.
On-the-Day Photography: Capturing the event from preparation to the reception.
Post-Production: Editing the photos to ensure quality.
During our research, we also found that most wedding photographers offer half-day packages and/or shorter time spans, usually priced between £500 and £1,200, and may just cover the ceremony and reception, or the couples priority parts of their big day.
Common Concerns about Wedding Photography Costs
Many couples are concerned about the average cost for a wedding photographer due to its impact on their overall wedding budget.
Common concerns include:
Value for Money: Are you getting high-quality service and photos for the price?
Hidden Costs: Are there additional fees for travel, extra hours, or special requests?
Comparison with Other Vendors: How does the cost compare to other wedding services like catering or venues?
If you understand what goes into wedding photography and what is included in a package you can help address these concerns.
Average Destination Wedding Photography Costs
The cost for a wedding photographer for a destination wedding can vary.
It depends if you’re flying a photographer to your destination wedding with you, or if you’re hiring a photographer who lives near the wedding location to save money on travel costs.
To put it simple, you should expect to be paying anywhere between £1,000 and £5,000 for a wedding photographer at a destination wedding.
Wedding Photography Cost and Future Predictions
Over the past few years, the cost for a wedding photographer has seen a steady increase.
This trend is expected to continue due to:
Rising Costs of Living: Inflation and increased expenses are impacting pricing.
Higher Demand: More couples are prioritising professional photography, driving up the demand.
Technological Advancements: New technologies and equipment increase costs for photographers, which can be reflected in their pricing.
Logically, wedding photography costs are (unfortunately) predicted to rise, making it important to plan and budget accordingly.
Reasons for the Wide Range in Average Costs
The variation in the average cost for a wedding photographer can be sourced back to several factors, including quality and experience, quality of work, and services provided (pre-wedding preparation, on-the-day coverage, post-production, and so on).
Why Wedding Photography is So Expensive
Wedding Photography is expensive due to the time consumption involved in having to attend pre-wedding meetings, full-day packages, and hours of post-production work to edit and finalise images.
Not only that, but equipment costs, business expenses, and editing software play a massive role in why wedding photography can get so expensive.
Why You Should Invest in a Candid Wedding Photographer
Even though wedding photography can be expensive, it’s costly for a reason (as mentioned above!). And below, we’ve named why experienced, candid wedding photographers are the best bang for your buck:
Technical Skill: Best camera settings, lighting, and composition.
Vision: Ability to capture unique moments and create stunning images.
Quality Equipment: Investment in high-end gear ensures better results.
Documentary Wedding Photography
Even though a candid wedding photographer is a beautiful style of photography to go for - documentary wedding photography is hands down the most popular wedding photography style in 2024.
And here at Steve Regan Photography, we specialise in all styles of wedding photography and would love to capture beautiful and memorable imagery for your big day.
Browse our website using the navigation bar at the top of the page to learn everything about us.
How Experience Affects Costs
Experienced photographers charge more due to their proven track record, higher-quality equipment, and great editing skills.
Their expertise in handling different scenarios and creating exceptional images is what justifies the higher price.
Choosing a Photographer and How to Evaluate Portfolios
When choosing a wedding photographer, review their portfolio to make sure their style matches what you want on your big day.
Look for consistency in high-quality images, creativity with unique shots, and reviews from previous clients regarding their experience.
It’s also a great bet to meet with potential photographers in person to discuss what you’re looking for, assess their professionalism, and make sure they understand your vision.
The Importance of Prioritising Photography in Your Wedding Budget
It can be tempting to use your money for other parts of the wedding, but it's important to prioritise wedding photography.
Here’s why and how it can impact your overall wedding experience:
Capturing Moments
Your wedding day is a collection of irreplaceable moments, emotional exchanges, and celebrations.
These are unique to you and cannot be recreated.
Photography captures these moments in a way that allows you to relive them for the rest of your life.
Preserving Your Investment
A wedding is often one of the largest investments you’ll make in your life, in which wedding photography allows you to preserve and showcase the results of this investment.
High-quality images are a way to make sure that the money spent on your wedding is documented and remembered in the best way possible.
Avoiding Regret
If you settle for low-quality wedding photography, you might regret it.
Poor-quality or incomplete coverage may result in missed moments and unsatisfying photos that fail to capture the day’s true beauty.
Tips on Budgeting for Photography
If you’re on a tight budget and believe wedding photography is an investment that should be taken seriously, saving in other areas is one of the most logical answers for how you can budget for wedding photography.
Reducing the costs on non-essential items like decorations or flowers can go a long way.
As well as this, choosing your wedding date for less busy seasons can result in potential discounts.
And actually, We have lower prices from 1st Nov to 28th Feb. Visit our wedding prices page
Alternatives for Lower Costs
Following on from above, if the cost of full-day wedding photography is a concern, consider choosing half-day coverage/key-moment coverage.
Hire a photographer to focus specifically on the essential parts of the day.
Conclusion
If you’re on the lookout for a wedding photographer in Dorset (or any of the UK) who provides beautiful, bespoke wedding photography, consider browsing Steve Regan Photography.
Our expertise and dedication ensure that your special day is captured with elegance and creativity.
FAQs
What is the average cost for a wedding photographer?
We took a look at 50 wedding photographer’s prices here in Dorset and found that the average package ranges between £1,000 and £3000.
What factors influence wedding photography pricing?
Rising costs of living, the demand of the service, and technological advancements are all factors of wedding photography pricing.
How can I save money on wedding photography?
If you’re on a tight budget and believe wedding photography is an investment that should be taken seriously, saving in other areas is one of the most logical answers for how you can budget for wedding photography. Reducing the costs on non-essential items like decorations or flowers can go a long way. As well as this, choosing your wedding date for less busy seasons can result in potential discounts.
How do photographers set their wedding photography prices?
Wedding photographers typically base their pricing on factors like experience, the number of hours, editing time, travel, equipment, and demand for their services.
