How Much Should I Spend On A Wedding Photographer
You’ve started out your wedding planning budget and are already getting overwhelmed by the numbers. How much does wedding photography cost? Why is everything thousands of dollars? How am I supposed to know how much to spend?
Slow down, and breathe. Since being a wedding photographer, I’ve gotten to experience various weddings (and budgets) that have helped me understand more about the cost of photography. Now, I may be a bit biased, but I think wedding photography is the single most important investment you should make on your wedding day. Why? Because wedding photo (and video!) are the only things that will last forever after your wedding day. You’ll only be at the venue for a day, your flowers will die, and alllll the food will be eaten - but your wedding photos will be what you can share with your family and friends for years and years to come.
So, how much should I spend on wedding photography/videography???
I’ll admit, I tried to go with percentages and amounts with this one, but quite honestly, every wedding is completely different. For example, a couple eloping will probably spend most of their budget just on clothing and photography, so about 70%+ would be going to photography. On the other hand, a couple having a large, elaborate wedding will have many more elements to split up their budget, leaving about 10-20% in the budget for photography.
Instead, I came up with a list of steps to take to help you narrow down your wedding photographer and budget:
Come up with an estimate number in your head. Use Google to find average wedding photography costs for your wedding location area if you need help! When I was looking at my wedding photographer options, my estimate was between $2000-$3000 for a local photographer in Bloomington, IL - which was definitely the average amount in the area in 2017, and about 10-20% of my overall wedding budget.
Find a few photographers that you absolutely LOVE. A photographer is someone that is literally 3rd-wheeling on your entire wedding day, so you want someone you can enjoy the day with!
Reach out to those photographers for pricing information. A lot of photographers have their average/minimum package pricing on their site, so feel free to skip over ones that you know you don’t have the budget for. Note: Most photographers are solid on their pricing, so don’t expect to be able to argue the costs of packages.
Consider the location of the photographer/wedding - if they have to travel far, it will probably be factored into the pricing. Also, based on the location of your wedding, a photographer might cost more because of the general cost of living in the area (since your photographer is also trying to make a living!). For example, now, living in Denver, CO, a major metro area, my average wedding (non-elopement) in 2020 is around $3000-4000 - mainly because the cost of living here in Denver is much greater than it was in Bloomington, IL!
Think about what you want included in your package - if you strictly want someone to show up on your wedding day and do minimal editing, they will probably cost much less than a photographer who provides an engagement session, help with your wedding timeline, a second shooter, etc. - but the latter will probably have a smoother, more enjoyable experience.
Reevaluate your estimate number from step #1 based on the pricing information and considerations you have taken.
If none of the photographers fit your budget, let them know and ask for recommendations - most photographers have a list of other referrals that may be similar in style but at a different price point.
One thing to remember - Wedding photography is not cheap: camera equipment, lighting equipment, editing/client management software, website, driving, flights/hotels, editing time, planning time, etc. will all factor into a photographer’s pricing for your wedding - you aren’t just paying for someone to show up for 8-9 hours of your wedding day.
I know it’s overwhelming, but it’s a HUGE investment - both money-wise and memory-making-wise, so take your time with your decision! Remember that these memories will last forever and having someone you really connect with can make a HUGE difference in how those memories are captured :)
