To splurge or not to splurge

Yes. Very average.

I'd just check every photographer that you can think of in the area and compare prices. That might be the typical price in your area and there might not really be a way around it. If you decide to choose her, you'll find ways to cut in other areas. I had a $1500 budget for my dress WITH alterations. I ended up spending $1860 on my dress alone. Alterations will be $400-$600. To balance that out, I had to cut a few hundred from my flower and cake budget. Those areas were the least important to me. I paid $1800 for my engagements, bridals, and 8 hours of wedding coverage. This was low for my area. I did a lot of digging before I was able to find someone that I liked that didn't charge an arm and a leg. Look for a little longer and if you don't stumble on something great, I'd book it and look for ways to cut in other areas.

3K is on the cheaper end in the Chicagoland area. A lot of photographers, that I liked and researched, were closer to 4,500-5,000, which felt insane to me

I think just for photography that is a lot. I found one in atlanta photo & video for 3,200.

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Generally, I've found photographers to be about $3k for wedding photos to get a free engagment shoot. With your update, I will echo what others have said to go for that package. For comparison, In MO we're paying about $2.5k for one photographer for 7 hours, engagement shoot(s) - 2.5 hrs. worth, photo album designed by her with some retouching, and web quality of all images. Price is about average to the low end for our area.

I think you should splurge because your photos and your video are all you have to look back on your wedding day for the rest of your lives.

That’s average around here too but still didn’t want to pay that. Ended up finding am amazing photographer a town own for $1,200 included a boudoir shoot since i already Had my engineer photos done before hand for $75

Where are you located?

View Quoted Comment I think she meant the main photographer and a second shooter for 5 hours

Just about what we paid for our photographer. His pictures are top notch though. So I definitely agree with that.

I'm paying 600 for 3 hours.

View Quoted Comment That is a GREAT price! I am getting for $4000:
2 photographers for full day- getting ready until the end of reception. An, edited, leather bound album of about 30 pages, rights to all images, and probably 3 “mini parent albums”

My photographer is $4,000 and she did our engagement pictures, she’s coming to my bridal shower (in lieu of bridal shoot or boudoir), and the wedding day which includes 10 hours and a full day of a second photographer. I attached her pricing. I’m about an hour north of Philadelphia.

View Quoted Comment I completely agree with Deirdra. $3000 is definitely not couch change where I live so I understand the concern. My fiancé and I are paying $3000 as well though, which is a discounted rate because we know our photographers but our package is a little larger. If you love this photographer, book them! 5 hours is not bad because that’ll capture all of the most important moments. If you’re concerned with the price, try talking to the photographer to see if you can work out a custom package that better suits your budget. But I really don’t think that it’s an overall bad price and any less than 5 hours you might miss some of the photos that you really want. These pictures are going to be how you relive such an important day, so I think it’s important that you love them... at any(ish) cost!!

Hi! That sounds about right. I paid way more 🙈 but mine included engagement shots, post wedding, an album, 2 photographers and what not. I feel like photography is really worth it though!

Agreed, photography can be very expensive! Our photographer is a close family friend. I’ve known her since I was 5! She’s expensive (to me) but I’ve always known I wanted her to shoot my engagement and wedding photos. We paid $3100 for 8 hours.

Getting a photographer is such a hail marry. Even seeing photos of theirs you like really doesnt ensure yours will look that way, but for 3000, i sure would hope so. Thats more than the budget for my whole wedding. Its definitely a lot, but i would agree in saying the photographer is one of the most important parts!

Wow that is high. But what does it include. What are some of the others giving prices at. I was told only thing remember are pictures and memories. No one cares what are or are on. But pictures you have forever. I can tell you. If you love this person go for it. My family we have had several weddings some good photographers. Some not so good that made them cry in bad way when saw pictures. But if you love them use them. I will have two people doing mine one is video cause he does amazing work other pictures

If you love the work that’s a big part of deciding on who to hire.
$3,000 is about the average price from where I am.

I think definitely do your research and look at your budget. I feel like after you look at our options you will know and it will feel right or wrong if you should do it.


I said I wanted to splurge on my photographer because we are doing a small destination beach wedding ceremony and we want to share the pictures with the family members and friends that we couldn't invite to the ceremony at our at home reception.
I personally couldn't imagine spending $3,000 on photography, but as many said it's your memories of the big day.