How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost?
It's usually one of the first questions couples ask once they start planning, and one of the hardest to get a straight answer to. Wedding photography prices vary a lot from one photographer to the next. As a Central Florida wedding photographer at Created by Patty, I want to give you an honest look at what actually goes into the price, so you can compare with confidence.
What you're really paying for
Your photographer is there for a full day, but the wedding is only part of the work. Behind every gallery there are:
Planning before the day: consultations, questionnaires and building your photo timeline together
The wedding day itself: usually 6 to 10 hours on your feet, plus travel
Editing: carefully culling and editing hundreds of images so every photo looks consistent and true to life
Delivery and storage: your online gallery, backups and the tools to download and print
Experience and equipment: professional cameras, backup gear and years of learning how to handle every kind of light and timeline
What affects wedding photography prices
Hours of coverage: more time means more of your story, from getting ready to your grand exit
A second photographer: two angles of the ceremony and both sides getting ready
Add-ons: engagement sessions, film photography, drone images, albums and video
Travel: weddings outside the photographer's home area may include travel costs
Your date: peak season Saturdays book first
What my couples typically invest
To give you a real example, here's how my pricing works:
Elopements begin at $1,500
Hourly coverage begins at $3,450 for 6 hours
Wedding collections begin at $3,800, which includes 6 hours and an engagement session
Full-day coverage begins at $5,000, with 9 hours, two photographers and a content creator
Photo and video collections begin at $7,000
How to decide what's right for you
Start with what matters most to you. If photos are a top priority, it's worth putting more of your budget there, since they're one of the few things you keep after the day is over. Then look for a photographer whose full galleries you love, and whose coverage fits the parts of the day you want remembered.
See every option
My Investment Guide walks through every collection, what's included and the à la carte options, so you can plan with real numbers. I'm Patty, the photographer behind Created by Patty, and I photograph weddings across Florida and North Carolina. I'd love to help you find the right coverage for your day.