An In-Depth Look at Wedding Photography Prices and Packages

Like any wedding vendor, wedding photographers charge more or less the same within their category and deliver quality photos with a solid client experience—so honestly, you really can't go wrong with anyone. Still, pricing can feel all over the place at first glance. Kinda is, not gonna lie. And while I can’t—and won’t—speak for any one vendor or tell you what their pricing should be, I can help you navigate these waters.

Starting with the basics: the four common pricing structures you’re likely to see in major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. But first...

How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost?

In cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, the average price for a wedding photographer is around $5,000 for 8–10 hours of coverage—well above the national average of $3,000. This base price does not include additional expenses such as airfare and accommodations for destination weddings, vendor meals, location permit fees, second photographers, assistants, travel fees, or extras like albums, extended coverage, and prints.

Best for: Courthouse weddings, civil ceremonies, and simple backyard weddings.
Average cost: $1,500 – $2,500
Hourly pricing typically includes photography coverage only with one photographer, offering a straightforward option for those needing only ceremony coverage and a limited number of portraits.
Best for: Traditional weddings with a ceremony, portrait session, and reception in multiple venues.
Average cost: $3,000 – $6,000
Package pricing typically includes extras like an engagement session, albums, with additional photographers and even video/drone footage. Often split into three tiers based on hourly coverage.
Best for: Non-traditional, single-venue weddings
Average cost: $4,500 – $7,000
Flat rates usually cover most of your wedding day without the hassle of add-ons. This pricing typically includes just photography coverage—welcome dinners and after-parties might be included, but extras like albums or additional photographers usually aren’t.
Best for: Upscale and destination weddings
Average cost: $10,000 – $25,000+
Custom pricing is typically reserved for high-end or multi-day weddings with extensive logistics, and unique requirements. If you’re hiring a luxury photographer or hosting a destination wedding, expect a tailored quote with costs depending on the location, coverage needs, and photographer’s expertise.

Why are Wedding Photographers so Expensive?

You don’t need me to tell you that weddings are expensive. Even a simple Beverly Hills courthouse elopement can cost upwards of $10,000 by the time all is said and done. Now, most articles on this topic—especially those written by wedding photographers—love to claim experience is the sole reason for high photography prices. Some even go as far as insulting those who charge $1,500 or less, branding them as inexperienced, while others try to scare you by calling it a gamble if you don’t pay at least $5,000–$7,000 for wedding photography—which conveniently matches their own pricing. But as I said before, you really can’t go wrong with anyone because price is no longer the defining factor of quality these days. In reality, three main factors drive wedding photographer pricing today.

Labor Costs — Let’s be real: labor is the biggest expense for most businesses. Whether it’s the time spent on the field, editing, or dealing with logistics, the cost of running a business isn’t cheap.
The Wedding Tax — People still argue whether this is real. It’s as real as the sun setting every day, so let’s put that debate to rest. The second you slap "wedding" onto a service, expect the price to jump.
Niche Market Pricing — Some photographers can charge more simply because they offer something specific—like exclusively using 35mm film, being a celebrity photographer, having access to exclusive venues, or being regularly published in big-name wedding publications.

Don’t Get Hustled: Seven Practical Tips for Approaching Wedding Photography Packages

We’ve all heard the age-old saying: If you have to ask how much something costs, you probably can’t afford it. I don’t know who the hell came up with that, but some people—especially photographers—really buy into it, not realizing that while you, the client, want beautiful photos, you’re far more concerned about how much this is going to cost you, than having to sit through an hour-long sales pitch on why photography matters. And while there’s no magic trick to getting the "homie’s price" from any photographer, I can leave you with a few suggestions on how to stay on budget with your wedding photography coverage.

Yes, shop around—something wedding vendors tell you not to do. But if you're planning your wedding a year or more in advance, you have more than enough time to find the right photographer who fits both your vision and budget. And don't let any photographer—or any vendor, for that matter—guilt-trip you into booking out of fear that you'll "miss out." Take your time comparing all available options while prioritizing what you actually need from your photographer.
No wedding photographer (or vendor) likes being asked for a discount, let alone agreeing to one. Every vendor works hard to make your wedding as spectacular as possible, spending countless nights running numbers to come up with a pricing structure that is both profitable and fair while staying competitive in the market. All we ask in return is to be paid what we ask.
And when you demand a discount, it tells us you don’t value what we do, and while that doesn’t call for bad service on our end, it doesn’t call for exceptional service either. Which goes back to tip #1: shop around. Trust me, there is a wedding photographer out there who fits both your budget and vision. Patience is key.
When inquiring with the handful of photographers you’ve narrowed your choices down to, give them as much detail as possible—timeline, guest count, venue locations, and any additional events planned throughout the wedding. This helps the photographer get a clear picture of what they’re getting into and allows them to either customize their pricing or at the very least, guide you toward the package that best fits your wedding.
As you’ve noticed, many photographers' packages are inflated with things you don’t need, forcing you to navigate three or four packages that look more or less the same—only to then be told the high-tier package is the only way to go. Believe me when I say you do not need the highest-tier package that includes 10,000 wedding photos, three photographers, and 10 hours of coverage. Because in reality, you’ll probably only print a handful of photos—if you print any at all—while the rest will sit in the miscellaneous kitchen drawer on a forgotten USB drive.
I get it—you’re only getting married once (hopefully), and you don’t want your photographer to miss anything. But do you really want three photographers spending an hour taking photos of your invitations, rings, and shoes? Do you really need to drop $500 on a few seconds of drone footage? Or a couple thousand on a fragile wedding album, fearing it’ll get damaged every time you open it?
Trust me, you don’t need every single angle covered. In all my years, I have seen most—if not all—couples end up cherishing the so-called boring family wedding photos over the complex, Instagram-worthy shots every single time. The base and middle-tier packages are all you need.
Many photographers thrive on getting published in major magazines and online publications or going viral on TikTok. While I’m not saying you’ll get a discount, if your wedding is truly unique, in an exclusive venue, or has the potential to be featured in Vanity Fair, Brides, etc., you’ll likely get more added value in your package. Again, be as detailed as possible in your initial email or Zoom call. BUT! Don’t use this as leverage to demand a discount—and worse, not even deliver on your promise.
If a photographer doesn’t list their prices upfront, you’re likely to end up in one of two scenarios: either you find out their pricing is so astronomically high that next thing you know, you’re on Reddit asking if you’re being taken advantage of after being quoted $22,500 for wedding photography—or you find out their pricing is more or less the same as the other photographers you’re considering.
Both outcomes come after sitting through an hour-long presentation on why photography is the most important part of your wedding and why you must hire them or risk ruining your big day. Don’t believe me? Book a call with one of these photographers and let me know how it went.
Some photographers will tell you that spending less on photography is "a gamble"—disgusting. Plenty of experienced photographers charge $1,500 at most and are booked solid because they offer great work at a reasonable price. Pricing doesn’t always reflect skill—sometimes it’s just branding, business model, or market positioning. Some photographers set their rates high, call it the industry standard, all while conveniently listing pricing that matches their own rates.
The reality is, there is no set price for great wedding photography. The best photographer for you isn’t always the most expensive one—it’s the one whose work and approach fit your budget. So whether you pay $500 or $5,000, you’re practically guaranteed to get quality photos thanks to the many advancements in digital photography over the years. Shit, even the iPhone you’re reading this on can take well above decent photos these days.

How Much Should You Spend on a Wedding Photographer?

As the old saying goes, something is worth as much as you’re willing to spend on it. And at the end of the day, you don’t need a luxury budget to get great wedding photos. Ignore the fear-mongering, sleazy sales tactics and focus on finding a photographer who fits your vision, your budget, and your priorities. Because wedding photography pricing shouldn’t be as complicated as the industry makes it out to be. There’s no secret formula—just different business models. Some photographers thrive on volume, others on exclusivity, and plenty fall somewhere in between.

What matters is finding one that fits your needs, not what the industry tells you to value. Because the wedding vendors, not just photographers, will always upsell you on the experience, but the truth is, a good photographer will deliver solid work no matter how much you spend. So take your time, ask the right questions, and most importantly—don’t let anyone pressure you into paying for something you don’t need. And sometimes, it’s not even about the price tag or the photos—it’s about the person taking them.