Most brides (and grooms) go into planning their wedding not knowing much about weddings, or where to actually start in the planning process, and that’s okay! This is where my role as a wedding photographer and friend comes into play.

Let’s start with cost. The average price for a professional wedding photographer with years of experience is around $3,500. This will vary depending on the area you’re searching in, of course. My pricing for an 8 hour wedding day starts at $2,350 and includes high-resolution images, an online gallery, and print release. I allow my clients to build their perfect wedding photography collection by adding on services such as an engagement session, additional hours of coverage, albums, and a second photographer. The average price my couples end up paying is around $3,250. This is after they’ve added onto the 8 hour starting collection.

Next, let’s talk about quality. High-quality imagery is so important. Girls, this is your WEDDING DAY! Please, please, please make sure you check the quality of the photographer’s work. Most photographers will have a website where you can view their portfolio online before you even decide to meet with them. When I hold my consultations with couples, I always have an album and prints with me, and I pull up images on my phone or my laptop so that they can clearly see the detail and quality in each image. Ask the photographer you’re meeting with for testimonials given by past brides and grooms. (You can view testimonials given by my wedding clients here.) It’s crucial to pay more attention to the quality and not the price tag.

So, what all does a wedding photographer do? Please remember that your photographer is not just taking pictures of you for 8 hours on your wedding day. We also have to go through the 1,000+ photos taken, edit the photos, design the album, order prints or other special products, answer emails and phone calls, and carry out all of the other administrative duties that owning a business entails. (I love every minute of what I do, and I’m so blessed that God gave me this talent to serve others in this very special way!) It’s easy for someone to think that a photographer makes $3,500 for a day’s work, but that’s just not the case, my friend. There is work being done before and after the wedding as well.

Save yourself from the heartbreak of booking an inexperienced photographer for your wedding day. Yes, all of us photographers start somewhere, but I believe that we should be starting out by photographing smaller sessions like portraits, and second shooting for other wedding photographers before booking a wedding of our own.

The bottom line is that you get what you pay for. I want to help you make the best decision possible so that you have no regrets about your wedding day. Let’s meet over coffee (or tea in my case) & donuts! I’d love to hear all about your love story and what you envision your dream wedding to be like. Contact me to set up your complimentary consultation today. I can’t wait to hear from you! ♥