What is your cost of wedding photography?

The cost of wedding photography is all over the map. I don’t blame couples for being confused.

I have been amazed recently by the number of low-cost photographers who come out of the woodwork when someone posts on a local Wedding Facebook group page about wanting a photographer. Many of these couples looking for a photographer want someone who doesn’t charge a lot, and it seems like they get dozens of responses.

Just a few days ago there was a post from someone wanting to hire a wedding photographer for $500. I think most brides know that reputable wedding photographers charge a lot more than $500 for a wedding. But, photographers were responding like crazy asking to do this $500 wedding. One post I saw even offered an engagement shoot for that price along with the wedding photography.

I’m amazed. I thought my own prices are affordable, but I can’t compete with $500 photographers.

Wedding photography fourth biggest expense

I get the whole budget thing. Brides and grooms have budgets for every aspect of the wedding. I think most understand that the cost of wedding photography will take up a good share of that budget. According to a study a few years ago done by The Knot, a wedding photographer is the fourth-biggest expense for couples after reception venue costs, the engagement ring and a musical band.

This study says the cost of wedding photography averages about $2,500.

Costs vary greatly depending on location. It’s probably common knowledge that photographers in expensive cities like New York and Los Angeles will cost more than those in less populated areas.

Wedding photographers in Lincoln and Omaha will widely vary as well. The main reason for this variance is experience. Expect a photographer who has been shooting for many years to be significantly more expensive than someone just new in the business.

From Wedding Wire, the average couple invests $1,250 to $2,650 for a photographer. Higher end photographers will bill over $4,000 for their services.

It’s reasonable to assume that those photographers begging for business on that Facebook page are probably fairly new in the business and are looking hard for weddings to shoot so they get some experience.

How much should you budget for wedding photography? That will vary from person to person, and also will depend on how much you value good photography. If photography is one of the most important parts of your wedding day, remember don’t skimp on it. You won’t get the same results from a $500 photographer that you will from a $4,000 photographer.

Whatever you decide your cost of wedding photography will be, remember the old adage – you get what you pay for.