Price Guide

How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Really Cost?

Compare prices for 12 services across 342 UK locations. Data-driven pricing updated for .

12 services priced 342 cities covered Updated

National pricing

Wedding Photographer Prices

National average prices. Select a city below for local pricing.

All prices include materials and labour unless stated otherwise. Prices verified 2026

Full Day Coverage

Low

£1,000

Average

£1,800

High

£3,000

8-12 hours

More details

A photographer covering the full wedding day from bridal preparations through to the first dance or evening party. Includes professional editing of all images and delivery via an online gallery. Typically 400-800 edited photos.

What affects the price

  • Photographer's experience and portfolio quality
  • Region (London and South East £200-£500 more)
  • Number of edited images included
  • Whether a second shooter is needed

Half Day Coverage

Low

£500

Average

£900

High

£1,500

4-5 hours

More details

Shorter wedding photography coverage, typically from the ceremony through to the wedding breakfast or the first few group shots. Ideal for smaller weddings or registry office ceremonies. Usually 150-300 edited photos.

What affects the price

  • Hours of coverage included
  • Whether ceremony and reception are at the same venue
  • Number of edited images delivered
  • Turnaround time for gallery delivery

Engagement Shoot

Low

£100

Average

£200

High

£350

1-2 hours

More details

A pre-wedding portrait session at a location of your choice. Great for getting comfortable in front of the camera before the big day. Usually includes 30-50 edited images. Often discounted when booked alongside full wedding coverage.

What affects the price

  • Location and travel distance
  • Number of edited images included
  • Whether bundled with a wedding package
  • Time of year (golden hour availability)

Second Photographer

Low

£300

Average

£500

High

£750

Full day

More details

An additional photographer working alongside the lead to capture different angles, candid moments and guest reactions simultaneously. Particularly valuable during the ceremony and group photos at larger weddings.

What affects the price

  • Hours of coverage required
  • Experience level of the second shooter
  • Size of the wedding and number of guests
  • Whether both ceremony and reception coverage needed

Album Design and Print

Low

£250

Average

£450

High

£800

4-8 weeks after wedding

More details

A professionally designed and printed wedding album with lay-flat pages. Price depends on size, number of pages, cover material (linen, leather, acrylic) and print quality. Most albums contain 30-60 pages of curated images.

~50% labour, ~50% materials

What affects the price

  • Album size (8x8 to 14x10 inches)
  • Number of pages and spreads
  • Cover material (linen, leather, premium options)
  • Whether parent albums are also ordered

Drone or Aerial Photography

Low

£150

Average

£300

High

£500

30-60 minutes of flight time

More details

Aerial photos and short video clips of the venue, grounds and couple using a professional drone. The operator must hold a valid CAA flyer ID and operator ID. Some venues and churches restrict drone use, so check in advance.

What affects the price

  • Whether included in the photographer's main package
  • CAA flight restrictions at the venue
  • Weather conditions on the day
  • Whether video as well as stills are included

Photo Booth Hire

Low

£300

Average

£500

High

£800

3-4 hours

More details

A self-service photo booth for the evening reception with props, backdrops and instant prints. Usually includes an attendant, unlimited prints and a digital gallery. Options range from classic enclosed booths to open-air setups and magic mirrors.

What affects the price

  • Type of booth (enclosed, open-air, mirror, 360 spinner)
  • Duration of hire
  • Whether a guest book with prints is included
  • Peak season surcharge (May-September)

Bridal Portraits

Low

£100

Average

£200

High

£400

1-2 hours

More details

A dedicated portrait session of the bride (or both partners) in their wedding outfit, either before the wedding day or at a separate location. Includes professional retouching and a curated set of 20-40 images.

What affects the price

  • Location and travel requirements
  • Whether taken on the wedding day or separately
  • Number of outfit changes
  • Professional hair and makeup availability

Ceremony Only Coverage

Low

£250

Average

£450

High

£700

1-2 hours

More details

Photography coverage of the wedding ceremony only, from arrival through to confetti and a few group shots outside. Ideal for registry office weddings, elopements or couples having a separate party. Typically 50-100 edited photos.

What affects the price

  • Ceremony venue location
  • Whether group photos are included
  • Travel distance for the photographer
  • Turnaround time for edited gallery

Prints Package

Low

£100

Average

£250

High

£500

2-4 weeks delivery

More details

A selection of professionally printed wedding photos in various sizes, from 6x4 to large canvas or framed wall prints. Often available as an add-on after receiving the digital gallery. Quality is noticeably better than high street printing.

What affects the price

  • Number and size of prints ordered
  • Print medium (lustre, fine art, canvas, framed)
  • Whether retouching is included per image
  • Delivery or collection method

Elopement Package

Low

£300

Average

£700

High

£1,500

2-4 hours

More details

Photography coverage for an intimate elopement or micro-wedding with just the couple and a handful of guests. Typically includes 2-4 hours of coverage, a portrait session at a scenic location and 100-200 edited images.

What affects the price

  • Location and travel requirements
  • Hours of coverage
  • Whether the location requires permits
  • Number of edited images included

Popular locations

Wedding Photography Costs by City

London

£1,245–£3,730

Birmingham

£935–£2,800

Leeds

£970–£2,915

Glasgow

£1,050–£3,145

Sheffield

£985–£2,955

Manchester

£975–£2,930

Bradford

£875–£2,625

Edinburgh

£1,140–£3,425

Liverpool

£990–£2,965

Bristol

£1,075–£3,225

Coventry

£960–£2,875

Leicester

£855–£2,565

Local pricing

Find Wedding Photographer Costs in Your City

Browse all 342 cities for local wedding photographer pricing.

Barking and Dagenham Barnet Bexley London
Brighton Milton Keynes Reading Southampton
Bournemouth Bristol Gloucester Plymouth
Colchester Luton Norwich Peterborough
Birmingham Coventry Stoke-on-Trent Wolverhampton
Derby Leicester Northampton Nottingham
Bradford Leeds Sheffield York
Bolton Liverpool Manchester Warrington
County Durham Middlesbrough Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland
Blaenau Gwent Bridgend Cardiff Swansea
Aberdeen Dundee Edinburgh Glasgow
Belfast

Regional comparison

Full Day Coverage by City

Average cost of full day coverage across key UK cities.

London
+24% £2,235
Manchester
-2% £1,760
Birmingham
-7% £1,680
Glasgow
+5% £1,890
Bristol
+7% £1,935
Leeds
-3% £1,750
Cardiff
-2% £1,770
Belfast
-13% £1,565

Overview

What Does a Wedding Photographer Do?

A wedding photographer provides professional services covering professional wedding photography including coverage, albums, editing and special shoots. They cover a range of services from straightforward options to more complex, bespoke work. Choosing the right photographer ensures you get quality results and a professional experience.

You should hire a wedding photographer whenever you need specialist expertise or professional-grade results. The right photographer brings experience, proper equipment, and industry knowledge that makes a real difference to the outcome.

Pricing for wedding photographer services depends on the complexity of what you need, the options chosen, and where you live in the UK. Simpler services sit at the lower end of the scale, while more involved or premium options will be significantly more expensive. The prices on this page give you a realistic range for each type of service so you know what to expect before getting quotes.

When hiring a wedding photographer, always get at least three quotes from different wedding professionals. Read recent reviews and ask for references. Always check portfolios, reviews and availability. A reputable photographer will be happy to provide a detailed breakdown of costs and explain exactly what is included in their quote.

Related services

Related Services

Services often needed alongside a wedding photographer.

Wedding Venue UK price guide £5,000–£15,000 Wedding Catering UK price guide £50–£130 Hairdresser UK price guide £35–£80 Cosmetic Dentistry UK price guide £300–£800 Dentist UK price guide £27–£27 Family Solicitor UK price guide £2,000–£15,000 Solicitor UK price guide £800–£2,200 Tutoring UK price guide £20–£40

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about wedding photographer costs in the UK.

How far in advance should I book a wedding photographer?
Book 9-12 months ahead for popular dates, especially summer Saturdays. The best photographers get booked up quickly, so once you have your venue and date confirmed, photography should be one of the first suppliers you secure.
What is the difference between documentary and traditional wedding photography?
Documentary (reportage) photography captures the day as it unfolds naturally without posing or directing. Traditional photography focuses on formal posed shots of the couple, family groups and key moments. Most modern photographers offer a blend of both styles to give you a mix of candid and posed images.
How many photos should I expect from a full day of coverage?
A full day (typically 8-12 hours) usually yields 400-800 edited images. Some photographers deliver more, but quality matters more than quantity. Ask how many images are included in the package, whether they are fully edited, and how they are delivered (online gallery, USB, album).
Do I need a second photographer?
A second photographer is not essential but is valuable for larger weddings, separate bridal and groom preparations happening simultaneously, or venues with multiple locations. They capture different angles during the ceremony and candid guest reactions. Many full-day packages include a second shooter.
What happens if my photographer cancels or is ill on the day?
Professional photographers should have a clause in their contract covering this. Most have a network of trusted colleagues who can step in at short notice. Ask about their backup plan before booking. If a photographer has no contingency plan and no professional indemnity insurance, that is a red flag.
Should I let guests take photos during the ceremony?
Consider an unplugged ceremony where guests put their phones away. Guests leaning into the aisle with phones can block the photographer's shots, and camera flashes interfere with professional lighting. You can ask guests to take as many photos as they like during the reception instead.
How long does it take to receive my wedding photos?
Most photographers deliver the full edited gallery within 4-8 weeks, with some offering a sneak peek of 10-20 images within a week. Albums take longer — typically 8-12 weeks after you approve the design. If turnaround time is important to you, confirm it in writing before booking and check recent reviews to see if the photographer delivers on time.
Do I own the rights to my wedding photos?
Under UK copyright law, the photographer owns the copyright to the images. However, most wedding photographers grant you a personal use licence allowing you to print, share and post your images freely. Check the contract for any restrictions on commercial use. Some photographers charge extra for full copyright transfer, but this is rarely necessary for personal use.
Is it worth getting an engagement shoot before the wedding?
An engagement shoot is a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera and build rapport with your photographer before the wedding day. The resulting images can be used for save-the-dates, your wedding website, or signing frames. Many photographers include an engagement shoot in their full-day package or offer it at a reduced rate.
How much does a wedding photographer cost in the UK?
The most common wedding photographer job, full day coverage, costs between £1,000 and £3,000 nationally, with an average of £1,800. Prices vary depending on the scope of work, materials used, and your location within the UK.
What affects wedding photographer prices?
The main factors are the complexity and scope of what you need, the options and products chosen, and your location. London and the South East are typically 15-35% more expensive than northern regions. Getting multiple quotes is the best way to ensure a fair price.
How do I find a reliable wedding photographer?
Get at least three quotes from different wedding professionals, check recent reviews and references, and ask for a detailed written quote that breaks down all costs before committing. Always check portfolios, reviews and availability.
Do wedding photographer prices vary by location?
Yes, significantly. London is the most expensive area, with prices typically 20-35% above the national average. The South East is also above average. Northern England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland tend to be 5-15% below the national average. Our city pages show exact local pricing for 342 UK locations.
Do the prices shown include materials?
The prices on this page include all typical costs. However, when getting real quotes, always confirm what is and isn't included. Some wedding professionals break out costs separately, while others give an all-in price. Ask for a detailed breakdown before agreeing to any work.
When is the best time to hire a wedding photographer?
Demand for wedding photographer services tends to peak in autumn and winter, which can mean longer wait times and higher prices. If your job isn't urgent, booking during spring or summer may get you a better rate and faster availability. Emergency work will always cost more regardless of the time of year.