How Much Do Wedding Photographers Cost in the UK? (2026 Price Guide)
Jenny Hyrzell
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February 6, 2026
Wedding photography is one of the biggest wedding expenses — and also one of the few things that lasts beyond the day itself. In the UK, most couples spend somewhere between £1,200 and £3,000+ in 2026, but the real answer depends on coverage hours, experience, travel, editing style, and what’s included (albums, second shooter, engagement shoot, etc.).
Premium: £2,500–£5,000+ (top-end, high demand, destination/large weddings, luxury albums)
If you’re comparing suppliers, don’t just compare the headline price — compare the deliverables and how reliable the photographer is on the day.
Typical UK wedding photographer price bands in 2026
Here’s a realistic set of price bands for 2026. These aren’t “rules”, but they’re useful when sanity-checking quotes (Industry surveys often put average UK photography spend around the mid-£1,000s, but real prices vary widely by coverage, region and deliverables1 ).
£800–£1,200: starter / shorter coverage
Often includes:
3–6 hours coverage (ceremony to speeches, or prep to first dance on smaller weddings)
200–500 edited photos
Online gallery
Common trade-offs:
Less experience with difficult lighting (dark venues, harsh sunlight)
Slower delivery times
Fewer full galleries to review
£1,200–£2,500: the mainstream “pro” band
Often includes:
8–10 hours coverage (prep → first dance)
400–900 edited photos
Online gallery + downloads
Pre-wedding call / planning support
This is where you’ll find a lot of reliable, full-time photographers who know how to handle timelines, group photos, and tricky venues.
£2,500–£5,000+: premium / high demand
Often includes:
Full-day coverage + optional second shooter
High-end editing consistency, strong storytelling
Faster turnaround (sometimes 2–4 weeks)
Luxury albums / prints / framing options
Destination travel / multi-day events
At this level you’re paying for scarcity (limited bookings), consistency, and experience handling complex days.
What drives the cost of wedding photography?
If two photographers quote £1,400 and £2,800 for “full day”, you’re not necessarily being ripped off — you’re seeing different inputs.
Coverage hours (and the real workload)
A “10-hour day” for you is often a 30–50 hour job for the photographer once you add:
planning calls
travel and setup
backup + culling
editing
gallery delivery + admin
More hours on the day usually means a higher fee — but also more editing time.
Experience and reliability
You’re paying for:
calm under pressure
handling family dynamics and group shots efficiently
working with a coordinator/venue
producing consistent results in any weather/light
Editing style
Some styles are faster to process; others are labour-intensive:
light & airy
moody / cinematic
true-to-colour documentary
editorial / flash / night work
If you love a specific look, budget accordingly.
Second shooter (or assistant)
A second shooter can add:
more angles (ceremony, speeches)
better coverage during prep
more candid moments
It also adds a real cost to the business, so it tends to push packages up.
Albums and print products
Albums can be a big swing factor:
basic albums might add £200–£400
luxury albums can add £500–£1,500+
Sometimes albums are bundled in premium packages; sometimes they’re optional upsells.
Location and travel
Costs can change based on:
region (and local demand)
travel time, fuel, parking
accommodation for long-distance weddings
If your venue is remote, expect extra.
Rule of thumb: if two quotes are close, choose based on full galleries + how well they handle people, not the extra £200–£400.
What’s usually included in a wedding photography package?
Packages vary a lot, so here’s what you should expect in a “normal” 2026 package, and what to confirm.
Most packages include
a set number of coverage hours (or “full day” definition)
edited digital images
an online gallery
print rights for personal use
a pre-wedding call
Often optional
engagement shoot / pre-wedding shoot
second shooter
albums and prints
expedited delivery
drone footage (often videography, but some offer it)
Questions to clarify before booking
How many photos do you typically deliver for a day like ours?
How long is your turnaround time?
Do you back up photos on the day?
What happens if you’re ill (backup photographer)?
Regional pricing differences across the UK
Some suppliers are UK-wide, but many are regional. Pricing can vary based on:
local competition and demand
travel requirements
how early peak Saturdays book up
It’s common to see higher prices in areas with strong demand and a strong wedding industry ecosystem. But there are also excellent photographers outside major hubs.
If you’re flexible with dates, you can sometimes get better pricing on off-peak months or midweek weddings.
How to choose a photographer without overpaying
“Overpaying” usually means paying a premium for marketing rather than quality. Here’s how to reduce that risk.
1) Review full galleries, not just Instagram highlights
Highlights can hide:
inconsistent lighting
messy group photos
missed moments
Ask for 2–3 full galleries from weddings similar to yours.
2) Compare packages on outcomes, not labels
One “full day” could mean 8 hours, another could mean 12. One might include a second shooter, another might not.
Make a simple comparison list:
hours
second shooter
delivery time
albums/prints
total cost including travel
3) Prioritise people-handling
The best photographers:
direct group shots quickly
help you stay on schedule
disappear during emotional moments
communicate clearly before the day
4) Don’t ignore the contract and backup policy
Professional photographers should have:
contract terms
cancellation/reschedule policy
backup camera kit
backup storage workflow
Ways to save money on wedding photography (without regretting it)
You don’t want to save £300 and hate your photos. But you can reduce cost intelligently.
Choose shorter coverage
If you don’t need dancing shots, consider:
prep → speeches
ceremony → golden hour
Book off-peak or midweek
Photographers often price differently for:
weekday weddings
winter weddings
last-minute availability
Skip the album (for now)
If budget is tight, you can:
buy digital only
add an album later (many will offer this)
Consider travel smartly
If you love a photographer far away, compare:
their travel costs
the cost of a great local option
FAQ
Is £1,000 enough for a wedding photographer in the UK?
Sometimes — usually for shorter coverage, newer photographers, or off-peak dates. The key is to review full galleries and confirm the deliverables.
Why are some photographers £3,000+?
You’re paying for demand, experience, consistency, time-intensive editing, and sometimes premium products like albums. For complex weddings, that reliability can be worth it.
How far in advance should we book?
For popular Saturdays, many couples book 9–18 months ahead. If you’re planning for peak season, start early.
Do we need a second shooter?
Not always, but it helps for larger weddings, separate prep locations, and more angles during the ceremony and speeches.
How long does it take to get the photos back?
Common turnaround is 4–12 weeks, but it varies. Always confirm this in writing.
Browse wedding photographers and check availability
Ready to compare options? Browse UK photographers by area, view real portfolios, and contact suppliers directly to check pricing and availability.
Next step: open 5–10 photographer profiles, shortlist 3, then contact them with your date + venue + rough timeline. You’ll get better quotes and faster replies.
