How much does a wedding photographer cost in the UK?

A wedding photographer is something you don’t want to go cheap on. We don’t set our prices so they look like a luxury. They’re based on the time we invest in every single couple.

For years I found it really hard to put a value on my own work. If anything, it’s still undervalued for what I produce.

Most wedding photographers fall into one of these rough price bands. The figures come from Bridebook’s 2026 price guide and the Fearless Photographers survey.

Your wedding venue and where it is change the wedding photography cost too. Bridebook says London and the South East usually cost £200 to £500 more than the rest of the country.

I’m based in West Butterwick, North Lincolnshire and photograph weddings across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the whole of the UK. These are my current wedding photography prices.

Every package includes every photo edited by me, a preview within a week, your full gallery within four weeks, an online gallery to share with guests and printing rights. You can add a second photographer for £450, an engagement shoot for £250 or priority editing for £200. Wedding albums start from £525 and parent albums are £220 each.

You can see everything that’s included on my wedding photography packages page.

Most photographers leave at the first dance. Leaving then means missing a huge part of your wedding day.

The Big Package is perfect for couples with a big partying group of family and friends. I’ve had weddings where over half of the final photos were party shots taken after the first dance. So many of the best moments happen in those few hours.

It’s hard to put an exact number on it because every wedding is different. A sunny summer wedding can be quicker to edit, as the light is consistent straight out of camera. A winter wedding with mixed lighting indoors takes a lot more time in the edit, but all weddings get the care and attention they deserve.

I take real pride in making sure your story flows and every photo is as good as the last. From our first meeting to your final gallery, I’d put it at well over 30 hours of my time for every wedding.

A lot of photographers point to their insurance and camera gear to justify their price. Honestly, that comes with running any business. For me the price is about the time I spend away from my own family. It’s also about earning a proper living from the job I love rather than the 9 to 5.

My honest view? A very cheap photographer often hasn’t valued their own time. Many have a second job to support the income. That’s not a crime, but it can mean they’re short on time for the things you never see: replying to emails, backing up your photos properly and studying how to handle things when they go wrong on the day.

Studying the creative side is a huge part of this job. We spend hours learning. That’s part of the work too.

It might sound controversial, but you’d always look for the best.

• How long you need them. Prep to the first dance costs less than the whole day.
• The day of the week. My Half Day Package is for Sunday to Thursday weddings.
• A second photographer. Useful for covering both of you getting ready at the same time.
• Albums and prints. A leather bound album adds to the cost, but it’s the bit you’ll pick up for years.
• Travel. Within two hours of me, travel is included. Further than that, I charge the UK government business mileage rate of 55p per mile from my postcode, DN17 3LA. If you’re getting married abroad, have a look at my destination wedding photography.
• Experience. You’re paying for a professional who knows when to step in and when to blend into the background.

Every wedding is different, so I’m always happy to put together a smaller package around you. Get in touch and have a chat. You never know, I might be free midweek for just an hour!

• Always ask for full galleries, so you know exactly what you’re getting, not just the best ten photos.
• Look for consistency in different light and weather. Does a rainy day look as good as a sunny one?
• Zoom out and look at the whole set. Do the photos flow and tell the story of the day?
• Look at the connection between the couple. Can you feel the emotion? This is the thing you only notice once the day has gone.
• Ask for more than one gallery to see how they do from wedding to wedding.
• Ask if they carry two cameras and have insurance. These are a must for every professional wedding photographer.

These are the questions I’d ask any professional wedding photographer before booking, me included. It’s the best way to know what to expect.

You can read more from couples in my wedding photography reviews.

If you’re on a tight budget, start planning as far ahead as you can. It gives you time to save, so if you find a photographer you love it isn’t a rash decision. Put a little away each month and spread the cost, either into savings or as part payments on your package.

When should you book? Couples have booked me five years in advance and the week before. It’s a time unique to you, but the sooner you book, the more choice of photographer you’ll have.

I can remember something from every single wedding I’ve photographed. One of my strongest memories actually comes from a family shoot.

A couple wished they’d had me for their wedding after seeing their friends’ photos, but they only found me after their day had passed. So they booked a family shoot when their first little one was born. They had me back every year after that as their little one grew. In the end they had three children and I got to see them all grow up.