Introduction
If you’re asking How Much Is a Wedding Photographer, you’re likely staring at quotes that don’t match. One is hourly. One is a package. Both can look “cheap” at first. Then the extras show up. Think overtime, travel, a second shooter, and albums. This guide is for UK couples (London, Croydon, Birmingham, Bristol and nearby) and destination couples in Europe (Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam and more). It’s also built for Asian wedding days like Nikah, Anand Karaj, and Hindu ceremonies, where timing can be longer.
Price is not just about the hours on paper. It’s also about what you get. Ask: how many edited photos, when you get them, and how you receive them (online gallery). Also ask about usage rights and print release rules. Example: a short civil ceremony in Oxford may fit an hourly booking. But a Nikah plus reception, or a full Sikh or Hindu day, often needs a 6–8 hours coverage package or an 8–10 hours wedding photography package. Two locations can push this higher.
By the end, you’ll know how to compare packages fairly and avoid surprises. You’ll use a simple checklist. Then you can request a like-for-like quote from Epic Filming based on your real schedule.
Hourly vs Package Pricing
When hourly makes sense
Hourly pricing can work well for short, simple plans. It’s best when you only need a small set of moments covered.
Example: a civil ceremony in Croydon or Oxford with family photos and a quick couple shoot may fit a wedding photographer hourly rate, especially if you don’t need prep, speeches, or a full reception.
When packages save money
Packages often give better value when your day has many parts. They usually bundle coverage, editing, and delivery into one clear price.
If you’re comparing package vs hourly wedding photographer quotes, watch for the “hourly trap”: 6 hours turns into 9 once prep runs late, travel takes longer, or the dance floor gets good. That’s where wedding photography packages (like 6–8 or 8–10 hours) can protect you from surprise totals.
Compare overtime and travel fees
Overtime and travel are the most common add-ons that change the final bill. Ask these before you book, not after the wedding.
Use this quick quote checklist:
- Overtime rate wedding photographer: cost per extra hour (or per 30 minutes)
- Travel fees / mileage / lodging: what’s included for London vs Essex, or multi-venue days
- Destination wedding photography add-ons: flights, trains, hotel nights, local transport (Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam)
- Team size impact: solo coverage vs adding a second shooter for two locations
A simple rule: if your timeline has two venues, long gaps, or late-night events, treat overtime and travel as “likely,” not “maybe.” If you want a clean comparison, Epic Filming can quote both hourly and package options from the same timeline so you can choose with confidence.
What Packages Usually Include
Coverage hours & event blocks
Most wedding photography packages include a set number of hours that covers specific parts of your day. The key is matching the hours to your real timeline, not a “perfect” schedule.
For example, a 6–8 hour booking may cover ceremony to early reception. But if you want prep, couple portraits, family groups, speeches, and a send-off, you may need more time—especially with two venues (like home prep in London, then a venue in Essex).
Quick check for your plan:
- Prep photos (one or both)
- Ceremony + key rituals (Nikah, Anand Karaj, Hindu pheras)
- Family groups + couple portraits
- Reception moments (entrance, speeches, cake, first dance)
Deliverables: edits, gallery, rights
You usually receive a set of edited photos, delivered in an online gallery. You should also confirm your print release / usage rights, so you know what you can do with the images after delivery.
Ask what “edited images count” means in plain terms: is it a minimum, an estimate, or a typical range based on hours and pace?
Compare quotes using this list:
- Estimated edited photo count
- Online gallery delivery length (how long it stays live)
- Download sizes (web vs print)
- Print release terms and personal usage rights
Sneak peeks & turnaround time
Many photographers offer sneak peek photos, but the number and timing vary. Turnaround time / delivery timeline also depends on season and workload, so get it in writing.
A practical example: if you’re flying to Paris or Barcelona right after the wedding, ask for a small sneak peek set first so you can share highlights without waiting for the full gallery.
How Much Is a Wedding Photographer
What sets rates in UK & Europe
Wedding photography prices vary most by time, team size, and travel. A London wedding can price differently than Croydon, Birmingham, or Glasgow, and destination coverage (Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam) often adds logistics.
When you compare quotes, look for the real drivers: peak-season dates, multi-venue days, long gaps between events, and whether you’re booking solo coverage or adding a second shooter. Venue access and timing can matter too—country venues like Braxted Park, North Mymms Park (Hertfordshire), or Parklands Quendon Hall (Quendon/Essex) may involve extra travel time and tighter photo windows.
Choose hours for your timeline
You need enough hours to cover the moments you care about without rushing. The simplest way is to map your day into blocks, then add buffer.
Use this quick worksheet:
- Start time (prep or arrival)
- Ceremony time + key rituals (Nikah, Anand Karaj, pheras)
- Group photos + couple portraits (add travel time)
- Reception moments (entrance, speeches, cake, first dance)
- Buffer (late starts, traffic, outfit changes)
Example: if prep is in one place and the ceremony is in another (London to Essex), you’ll likely need more coverage than the schedule suggests on paper.
6–8 vs 8–10 vs 10+ hours
A 6–8 hours coverage package often fits ceremony through early reception. An 8–10 hours wedding photography package is better for prep plus full reception coverage. 10+ hour full-day coverage is usually best for multi-part days, long venues, or destination timelines with extra travel.
Decision rule: if you want both prep and late reception moments, or you have two venues, plan for 8–10+ hours so you’re not forced into overtime. Epic Filming can quote the same timeline in different tiers so you can pick the best value, not just the lowest number.
Add-ons That Change the Total
Is a second shooter worth it?
A second shooter is worth it when two things happen at once or your timeline is tight. It helps with coverage, angles, and reactions you may miss with solo work.
Example: one photographer can stay with the groom’s prep while the other covers the bride’s prep. Or one covers the ceremony wide shots while the other captures close moments and guest reactions. If you have two venues (London to Essex) or a fast schedule, number of photographers (solo vs second shooter) becomes a big value lever, not just a cost add-on.
Engagement session: included?
An engagement session is sometimes included in mid or higher wedding photography packages, but it’s not guaranteed. It can be useful if you want to feel relaxed on camera and test poses before the wedding day.
Example: couples often use it as a “practice run” in places like central London, Oxford, or local parks in Croydon—then reuse what they learned on the wedding day. Ask what’s included: session length, number of edited images, and travel limits.
Albums, RAW, drone & extras
Albums, RAW files, and special gear are common add-ons that change the final price. Albums may be included in top tiers, but often they’re an add-on with choices that affect cost (size, page count, cover).
RAW photos are a common question: raw photos (do you get them?) Often you receive edited images, not all RAWs, because RAW files are unfinished and vary by camera system and workflow. If RAW isn’t offered, ask for alternatives like extra edits or a larger curated gallery.
Other extras can include drone coverage, a photo booth, or wedding live streaming. Use this must-ask list:
- Is the album included or extra?
- Do you get a print release / usage rights?
- Is drone allowed at the venue?
- What’s included for live streaming (setup, audio, backup plan)?
People Also Ask
Do wedding photographers charge per hour or per package?
Most wedding photographers charge by package, but many also offer hourly for shorter coverage.
Example: hourly can fit a 2–3 hour civil ceremony, while full-day weddings usually book a package.
What’s included in a wedding photography package?
Most packages include a set number of hours, a curated set of edited photos, and an online gallery.
Example: an 8–10 hour package often covers prep through key reception moments, but albums may be extra.
How many hours of photography do I need for a wedding?
Most weddings need 6–10 hours, depending on how much of the day you want covered and how many locations you have.
Condition: if prep and ceremony are in different places (e.g., London to Essex), plan extra time for travel and buffer.
How many photos do you typically get back?
You usually get a curated set of edited images, and the count depends on hours, pace, and how many photographers you book.
Example: longer coverage (8–10 hours) often returns more photos than a short 3–4 hour booking.
Do you get all the photos or only edited ones?
Most couples receive only edited “keeper” photos, not every test shot or duplicate.
Condition: if you want more coverage of a specific part (like family groups), ask about adding extra edits.
Do wedding photographers give you raw photos?
Many photographers do not provide RAW files by default, and some never release them.
Condition: if RAW is available, it’s often an add-on or comes with strict usage terms.
Is a second shooter worth it?
A second shooter is worth it when events happen in parallel or your timeline is tight.
Example: one shooter can cover groom prep while the other covers bride prep in a two-location morning.
Are engagement sessions included in the price?
Sometimes, but it depends on the package tier and the studio’s pricing style.
Condition: confirm session length, travel limits, and how many edited images are included before assuming it’s free.
Are albums included or extra?
Albums are often extra unless you choose a higher-tier package that includes an album credit or design.
Example: some packages include the album as an add-on option, not a standard deliverable.
Do I need to include my photographer in the catering headcount?
Yes, in most cases you should include your photographer (and second shooter) in the vendor meal count.
Condition: if they are covering through dinner, a meal break helps them keep shooting the rest of the night.
Final Thought
If you compare quotes the right way, pricing gets much clearer. The real question is not “cheap vs expensive.” It’s hourly vs package, and what’s included: hours, edited image count, online gallery delivery, print release, and add-ons like a second shooter, albums, travel, and overtime.
A simple rule: if your day has two venues, long rituals, or a late reception, a package often protects you from surprise overtime. If it’s a short civil ceremony with portraits, hourly may fit. Think in timeline blocks, then add buffer—traffic and late starts happen.
Your next step is to request a like-for-like quote using one shared checklist: date, locations, hours (6–8, 8–10, or 10+), key moments, and any extras (engagement session, live streaming, drone). If you want a clean comparison, Epic Filming can price both hourly and package options from the same plan so you can choose the best value with confidence.