How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost in the UK?
By Pedro de Sousa, Hertfordshire wedding photographer · Updated October 2026
The short answer
Couples in the UK spend an average of £1,484 on their wedding photographer, according to Bridebook's 2026 Wedding Report. Typical prices range from about £500 to £2,500. The biggest factor is how many hours you book: Bridebook puts around eight hours at £1,500 to £3,000, and ten hours or more at £3,000 and over.
The headline price is only part of the story. Extra-hour charges, travel and photo limits can change what you finally pay by hundreds of pounds, so it's worth comparing what's included as well as the price.
What wedding photographers cost in the UK
Bridebook's guide to wedding photography prices gives a rough picture of what different budgets buy:
| Budget | Typical coverage |
|---|---|
| Under £1,000 | 4 to 6 hours |
| £1,000 to £1,500 | 6 to 8 hours |
| £1,500 to £3,000 | About 8 hours |
| £3,000 and over | 10 hours or more |
Bridebook says most couples spend between £1,200 and £2,500, and that adding a second photographer typically costs £400 to £600.
Costs to check before you book
Two quotes with the same headline price can cost very different amounts by the end. Ask each photographer:
- How many hours are included, and what does an extra hour cost?
- Is travel to your venue included, or is there a charge?
- How many photos will you receive, and is there a limit?
- Are print rights included, so you can print and share your photos?
- Is an album included, and if not, what does one cost?
- How long until you receive your full gallery?
- How much is the retainer, is it refundable, and when is the balance due?
What affects the price
- Hours of coverage. The main driver. Longer coverage means more of your day is captured, from preparations to the evening.
- Extra hours on the day. Many photographers charge for each hour beyond the package, which adds up if your day runs late.
- A second photographer. Typically £400 to £600 extra, according to Bridebook.
- Travel. Some photographers include travel, others charge beyond a set distance.
- Albums and prints. Often priced separately, so check the size and number of pages.
- Engagement shoots. Usually an optional add-on.
- Delivery time. Faster delivery of the full gallery is sometimes offered for an extra fee.
- Experience and style. Established photographers with a strong portfolio and reviews usually charge more.
Comparing like for like
Here's how my packages compare with Bridebook's UK guide for similar coverage:
| Coverage | UK guide (Bridebook) | My package |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 8 hours | £1,000 to £1,500 | Half Day, 6 hours: £1,400 |
| 10 hours or more | £3,000 and over | Full Day, no time limit: £1,895 |
My Full Day has no time limit, so a ten- or twelve-hour day costs the same £1,895, with no extra-hour charges. For smaller weddings and elopements, Micro is £600 for two hours at the time of your choice.
Every package also includes:
- Travel anywhere within 30 miles of the Hertfordshire border, at no extra cost.
- No limit on photos. I take as many as I can, and I don't cap how many you receive.
- A pre-wedding consultation and a private online gallery with print rights.
- Reliable backup: three camera bodies at every wedding, and your photos backed up to three separate hard drives.
Half Day and Full Day couples also get previews within 24 hours, and every couple receives their full gallery within 6 to 8 weeks.
A 25% non-refundable retainer secures your date, and the balance is due one month before your wedding. If you'd like to spread the cost, an optional monthly payment plan is available.
See full prices, extras and the package calculator
Questions about wedding photography costs
What is the average cost of a wedding photographer in the UK?
£1,484, according to Bridebook's 2026 Wedding Report. Typical prices range from about £500 to £2,500.
How much does a full-day wedding photographer cost in the UK?
Bridebook puts around eight hours of coverage at £1,500 to £3,000, and ten hours or more at £3,000 and over. My Full Day package is £1,895 with no time limit.
How much does a second wedding photographer cost?
Bridebook says a second photographer typically adds £400 to £600. My second shooter is £550.
Do wedding photographers charge for travel?
Some do and some don't, so it's worth asking. My travel is included on every package, anywhere within 30 miles of the Hertfordshire border.
Why are wedding photographers so expensive in the UK?
Because the wedding day is only part of the job. Before the day there's the consultation and planning. On the day there's often ten hours or more on your feet, with professional cameras, lenses and lighting. Afterwards come many hours of choosing and editing every photo, then delivering the gallery. The price also covers insurance, spare equipment and secure storage of your photos. I bring three camera bodies to every wedding and back up your photos to three separate hard drives, so a fault on the day doesn't mean losing them. Spread across all of that work, the cost per hour is much lower than the headline price suggests.
Is it worth hiring a wedding photographer?
For most couples, yes. Your photos are the one part of the wedding that lasts. The food is eaten, the flowers fade and the dress is put away, but you'll look at your photos for the rest of your lives, and so will your children. The day also goes by faster than almost anyone expects, and you'll only see a small part of it yourselves. Guests' phone photos rarely capture the moments that matter most: they struggle in dim churches and evening light, they miss things while people are busy enjoying the day, and nobody is responsible for making sure every important moment is caught. A professional plans for the timings and the light, makes sure the moments that can't be repeated are captured, carries backup equipment in case anything fails, and gives you a complete, edited gallery. If your budget is tight, you don't need a full day: a shorter package covering just the ceremony and portraits still gives you photos you'll treasure.
Sources
- Bridebook: wedding photography prices, citing Bridebook's 2026 Wedding Report. Checked 13 October 2026.
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