Wedding Photography Costs in 2024: everything you need to know
Choosing the right Wedding Photographer for you is absolutely crucial to ensure you have an amazing wedding album that you’re proud to show everyone! Your photo album will be a keepsake from your wedding that you’ll want to return to again and again, and may even cement itself as a family heirloom for your kids, grandkids and beyond. It’s almost guaranteed that you’ll use them as your profile pics on social media, too!
Every Photographer is different, providing a unique way of stylising your wedding photos through framing, lighting, composition and more. Each professional Photographer you consider will also have different rates, which will vary depending on a wide range of factors, such as experience and skill.
So, when it comes to budgeting for your wedding, how much might you expect to pay for a wedding Photographer? In this post we’ll look at the average wedding photography costs, what their rates include, and what you need to be aware of before your big day.
1. What’s the average price of a Wedding Photographer?
The price of a Wedding Photographer can vary wildly, but on average you can expect to pay around £1,300-£1,500. This may sound like a lot, but it’s important to remember that you’re not just paying for the Photographer’s time on the big day. You’re also paying for their knowledge, skill and experience, as well as the work that goes into preparing for your wedding and the post-production afterwards.
2. What’s included in this cost?
What’s included in the price will depend on the package you choose. A basic package may include coverage on the day and your photographs on a USB, whereas a premium package will include this and much more. When making your decision, be prepared with the right questions to ask a wedding Photographer to make sure you know exactly what your chosen package includes.
Depending on your choice, wedding photography packages may include many of the following:
A pre-wedding photography session
Coverage on the day
Post-production including photo editing
A second supporting Photographer
Prints of your photos, or digital download link
A physical wedding album
A USB stick / memory box
Most Photographers offer a range of packages for you to choose from, with optional extras that allow you to customise your package. For a rough idea of what to expect for your budget, check out the table below:
3. What factors can affect the cost of a Wedding Photographer?
While these are general average UK wedding costs, there are plenty of other factors that can influence the cost of a wedding Photographer. These include:
Your venue: How far does the Photographer have to travel? Will they need to take public transport? Are you based in a major city or out in the country? All of these will affect how much a Photographer costs.
Location: Where you are in the UK will impact costs. For example, Photographers in London will be more expensive than those outside.
Multiple Photographers: Having multiple Photographers means you have full coverage of the day both from your perspective and the perspective of your guests. The more photographers there are the better the coverage will be, but the pricier it will be as well.
The date: During peak times, such as during the summer and at weekends, you can expect to pay more due to the higher demand. Many Photographers are booked months (or even years) in advance during busier times of the year.
How long they’re needed: Are you only looking for photos of the ceremony itself, or the entire day, including the wedding breakfast and evening reception?
Equipment: Will they need additional lighting or multiple lenses?
The level of post-production: After they shoot a wedding, the Photographer will spend time editing your photos, such as adjusting lighting, cropping, or tweaking your Great Aunt’s eyes because she blinked.
The type of album: Many Photographers will offer options to customise your album (if this is something they offer), such as leather-bound covers.
4. What else should you be aware of when it comes to the cost of a wedding Photographer?
As part of your package and one of the questions you should ask your Photographer before hiring them for your wedding, find out what type of release they offer (complete copyright, vs a personal use/printing release) and how it aligns with your budget and needs.
By default, your Photographer will own the copyright to your wedding photos. To buy the copyright for your photos later could end up being rather pricey – there are horror stories of newlyweds ending up paying hundreds or even thousands of pounds they hadn’t budgeted for. It’s rare, but something to be aware of before making your decision. And in all likelihood, you won’t need the copyright anyway.
In the vast majority of cases, a personal use license or print release is more than enough to meet your wedding photo needs. It allows you to enjoy your photos (for example, print them at home, or share them on your social media) without the added expense of purchasing complete copyright.
Whichever you go for, be sure to communicate with your Photographer to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting. In all cases, it’s always good practice to credit your Photographer when sharing photos on social media – especially if the images aren’t watermarked – as a sign of appreciation for their work.
5. What level of experience can you expect for your budget?
As we’ve already covered, pricing structures vary between photographers. At Bridebook, for example, there's a huge Directory of Wedding Photographers that includes Photographers to fit all budgets.
A more inexperienced Photographer will likely be much cheaper than one who has photographed hundreds of weddings, which means there’s also more risk. Full-time wedding Photographers – who rely on events like yours as their sole income – may also charge more than those who use it as a 'side hustle'. But again, if they’re full-time, then they’re likely to have more experience, too.
Check out the table below to get a rough idea of what to expect from your budget.
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