How much is a wedding photographer?

I completely understand that planning a wedding can be overwhelming, and hiring a photographer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. If you’re here, it’s likely that you’re trying to figure out how much wedding photography costs. As someone who speaks to many couples every year (and who also recently got married myself), I know this can be overwhelming and want to give you some prices and helpful advice.

How much does a wedding photographer cost?

Prices for a wedding photographer in the UK vary massively depending on a number of factors such as location, the time of the year you’re getting married, and the day of the week you’re getting married as well. My wedding photoshoot packages start from £800, with the biggest photography package being just over £2000.

The average cost of wedding photography in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire

I mainly cover the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire areas, and I conducted research in 2023 to gather insight on prices for photography services in this area. My research methods included conducting Google searches, reaching out to my network of photographer peers, and personally investigating the prices of services during my recent wedding planning. The resulting data indicates that prices for photography services range from £500 for three hours to over £4500 for full-day coverage.

How does this compare to the rest of the UK?

It was a bit more difficult to see what the average price for the UK was, but the closest I could get to a price was according to research from Hitched, which is part of The Knot Worldwide Inc, a leading UK wedding planning destination that supports millions of couples in the UK. The National Wedding Survey suggested that the average cost of a wedding in 2022 was £18,400, with the cost of photography being £1300 and the average cost of a wedding videography package at £1150.

To balance things out, I also looked at other sources, such as Digital Photography Review, which suggests that the average cost of a full-day wedding photography package starts at £1590.

Is the wedding photography cost worth it?

There are two schools of thought on this topic – one that focuses on the benefits of spending money and the other that considers whether the cost is justified. As a wedding photographer with more than a decade of experience, I strongly recommend that you hire a professional photographer for your special day.

When you look back at your wedding photos, you will be grateful that you chose a professional to capture those precious moments. Whether you view them in an album, slideshow, social media, or photo player, a professional touch will make all the difference. When you reflect on your wedding day, you wouldn’t want to regret not having better quality photos or the right composition and style. It’s important to get it right the first time because a wedding only happens once. You wouldn’t want to miss out on any moments and regret it later. Trust me, investing in a professional photographer is a must-have for your wedding day.

How do the prices come to this much?

So you may be wondering why wedding photography packages cost what they do. Well, as said above, there are several factors that contribute to the cost of wedding photography. For instance, the destination, location, and timing of your wedding can all impact the cost.

Size of wedding

One of the factors that photographers consider when determining the cost of wedding photography is the size of the wedding. The number of guests in attendance can affect the amount of work/expertise/composure required.

For example, the amount of work required for a wedding depends on the number of guests. A small wedding with 1-20 guests would need less work than a medium-sized wedding with 100+ guests. A large wedding with over 150 guests may require even more photographers. It is important for the photographer to have additional skills, such as understanding the couple’s preferences, managing time, and navigating the venue’s space.

Photographers need to capture the reactions and emotions of all the guests while still focusing on the main subjects of the wedding – the couple and their loved ones. Manoeuvring between the guests, lighting, and positioning to get the perfect shots are also challenges that photographers must overcome, which is why the size of the wedding is a key factor in determining the cost of wedding photography.

For a small wedding:

If you are planning a wedding with a guest list of 60 people or less, then you may want to consider opting for a basic or standard photography package. At Royale Weddings, we offer a small wedding photography package that starts from £800, and it includes up to 100 guests. This package gives you 10 hours of coverage, primarily done by one photographer, unless you request an additional photographer or an assistant photographer.

For a large wedding:

Whereas, if you’re planning a wedding with more than 100 guests, our photography packages will usually begin at £1200. This package includes 12-hour coverage with me as the primary photographer and an assistant photographer to ensure that every special moment of your big day is captured. Our goal is to make sure that your wedding is documented in its entirety, so you can relive those beautiful memories throughout your life.

Length of wedding:

When planning and budgeting for a wedding photographer, another important factor to consider is the length of your wedding. Some couples may want the photographer to cover the bridal morning preparations, the wedding ceremony, the first dance, and everything throughout the night. Others may only require a few hours of coverage, such as capturing the morning preparations or the dances. Additionally, some clients may request the photographer to cover both the bride’s and groom’s morning preparations if they are taking place at different locations.

It’s essential to communicate your needs and preferences with the photographer when making a choice to ensure that they can provide a tailored package that suits the duration of your wedding.

Location of wedding

It’s important to keep in mind that the location you choose for your wedding can impact the cost of photography services. In my research, I discovered that prices vary between the North and the South. Therefore, it’s worth considering venues in different locations to find the best deal.

Over the years, we’ve noticed an increasing interest in destination weddings, which can take place in various parts of the UK, Europe, or even further afield. The cost of wedding photography packages for these events differs due to the additional time, travel, and planning involved.

Pro tip: If you’ve already booked your wedding venue, finding a photographer can be made easier by searching on Google for “venue name + photography”. This will show you photographers who have taken pictures at weddings held at your venue before, giving you a good idea of their work. You can also use Instagram to search for images taken at your venue by photographers, using the hashtag “#venuename”.

If you are just looking for some prices for venues in the Stoke On Trent and Staffordshire area, just take a look at my pricing page or do a Google search for wedding photography prices and packages near me.

Your Choice Of Photographer

Your choice of photographer can greatly impact the cost of your wedding photography package. In no way am I suggesting that the price that you pay for your wedding photography reflects the quality of the final images or experience. It’s more complicated and nuanced than that, some photographers may factor in their experience and the quality of their equipment into their pricing, while others may not have a strict pricing structure if they are doing it as a hobby. Regardless, what’s most important is your satisfaction.

When selecting a photographer, I recommend looking at factors such as the quality of their work, their personality, and your personal style over price. Remember, you’ll be spending the entire day with this person on one of the most important days of your life, so it’s crucial that you get along with them and that their personality aligns with your wedding and style.

I also suggest reading reviews and checking out their social media pages to ensure that their style matches what you’re looking for. If you’re interested in a particular photographer, it’s a good idea to reach out to them to confirm their availability on your wedding day and discuss any unique requirements you may have.

Do not forget one thing:

When considering the cost of wedding photography, it is important to keep your own satisfaction in mind. What you want to get out of the wedding photography experience is crucial.

For instance, you might have a lot of family members who are unable to attend the wedding due to distance, but you still want them to be a part of your special day through live streaming. In this case, adding a live streaming option to your photography package would be of interest to you.

You may have also chosen an iconic venue for your wedding, and you want to ensure that it is captured beautifully in your photographs. Therefore, options like drone photography can be a great way to showcase your venue and make sure it is highlighted in your memories.

If you have a large family, you may want to capture their reactions and preserve those memories forever. In this case, it is important to communicate this to your photographer of choice.

Remember, your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you want to make sure that your photography package reflects your unique preferences -not just the cost.

Customised packages:

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, and I understand that finding the right photographer can be complicated and stressful. But don’t worry, I’m here to help. It’s common to feel hesitant with the number of pre-packaged wedding photography options out there. That’s why I encourage you to reach out to your photographer and ask for customisations. 

You’d be surprised how much, as photographers, we tailor our services to meet your unique needs. I would encourage you to discuss your needs with potential photographers before signing up for anything.

And if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’m always here to help and provide you with the support you need, whether it’s through a phone call, email, or contact form.