Photography!

That’s a lot of money for a photographer. It’s really a personal decision. If you’re willing to go over budget and you love the photographer that much, maybe you should! Perhaps you could find other areas to cut back in to afford her.

$5,000 for 8 hours and no engagement session (even with two photographers) is not a very good deal to me. I know location has a lot to do with prices, but I'm paying $1,775 for my photographer with the following: entire day of shooting (no hourly limit), engagement session, $100 print credit + release of all photos to print elsewhere, two photographers, and a 20x30 canvas of our favorite picture.

I would look for someone else, but if you have to have her I agree with PP that you might be able to cut back other areas of your budget.

$2000 over a $3000 budget is really significant. I would probably keep looking, but you do need to click with your photographer. Maybe keep an eye out for someone you love in budget, but if you’re comfortable going over budget it’s obviously your decision.

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I agree it is a huge amount of money for only 8 hours and 2 photographers since we would still need an engagement session. Our budget is $3,000 because that's average for photographers in my area but they include alot more. I just needed somebody elses opinion! Haha

That's a lot of money. I agree with Amber it does depend on location. I am paying $1,800 for my photographer, this includes 2 shooters for the entire day and release of my photos so I can have them printed elsewhere. My engagement session was separate but due to paying the deposit she took $50 off that, so it's $175 which isn't that bad and again she release the photos to us. I would also look elsewhere.

Keep looking! You will find someone else with a similar style in your price range!

Have you asked the photographer if they could help you craft a package for your desired budget? Perhaps cut down on the number of hours for the second shooter, and cut the number of hours for the main photographer. They may be able to work with you

We are paying $4,000 for ours. She’s a family friend so we got a 20% discount but I’m also having her travel out of state for it so it’s a little more expensive. Ours includes 8 hours, 2 photogs and an 8x8 wedding album (like a Shutterfly album) and digital images.

I've been listening to a bunch of podcasts on weddings... If you love them then find somewhere else to cut.

You have an over all budget and you give estimates on what you want to spend for each category, but you can adjust categories around. So do you love the photographer enough to give up some thing else like maybe the video? Skip the engagement photos, find a cheaper wedding cake,or keep looking... I used Instagram to help me find a photographer I just search hastags like Njweddingphotographer

Oh we’re also paying $1,100 for our engagement shoot (3 hours) with a different, local photographer but I LOVE her work and we’re traveling to the mountains to take the photos!

Engagement Photos: $1,100
Wedding Photos: $4,000
Wedding Videographer: $2,500 (we got a deal)

So, to capture our day we are spending $7,600 which is A LOT but we decided it’s important to us. Definitely a personal decision!

Ask your venue for recommendations. That’s how I found our photographer and she’s amazing! $5,000 sounds high to me. I’d keep that one on the back burner for now and see if you can find someone you like just as much! You can always come back to it and rework your budget if you find that particular photographer is the one you really want.

We went over budget for our photographers, but they include a lot more than the one you’re looking at. (9 hours, 2 photographers, engagement session, and a 10x10 album for 4k). I’d say keep looking around at other photographers with the same style as the one you like to see if you can find one that offers a bit more. I can justify going over budget if it gives you everything you want, but otherwise, I’d just keep searching.

I agree with PPs' suggestions to continue looking around and try to find a lower price

That is way too much in my opinion, and I was very particular about my photographer. Ours was 3600 for 8 hours, 2 shooters, engagement session, and lingerie boudoir session (pro hair and makeup included) — some photographers are extremely well known so they inflate prices because they know people will pay, but I bet you will be able to find a fantastic photographer that is more affordable!

We paid $2600 for 8 hours coverage, 2 photographers, no engagement pics (I didn’t u understand why is want these) and since I opted out of eng shoot she gave us a mini video thing, our vows & speeches over 100 best photos. Also have rights to all photos taken without watermarks amd the flash drive.

Has she ever offered specials, like for Black Friday or Christmas? We got a percentage off our package by booking during a special.