Wedding planning guide
Photographers
Your wedding photos are one of the only things from the day that lasts forever, which makes choosing the right photographer one of the more consequential vendor decisions you'll make. Styles range from bright-and-airy to moody and documentary, and the best fit for you depends as much on personality and communication as it does on portfolio.
What to budget
Wedding photography pricing varies a lot based on hours of coverage, number of shooters, and what's included (albums, prints, engagement sessions). As a rough rule of thumb:
- Half-day coverage (roughly 4-6 hours) tends to sit at the lower end of a photographer's pricing.
- Full-day coverage (8+ hours, getting-ready through reception) is the most common package for a full wedding day and costs more.
- A second shooter, engagement session, or printed album are usually priced as add-ons on top of the base package.
- Get quotes from a few photographers before setting your budget number — pricing varies a lot even within the same city.
Questions to ask a photographers
- ?How many hours of coverage are included, and what happens if the day runs long?
- ?Do you shoot solo, or is a second photographer included or available?
- ?How long after the wedding will we receive our photos, and in what format?
- ?Can we see a full gallery from a recent wedding, not just curated highlights?
- ?What's your backup plan if you're sick or unavailable on our date?
Keep it all on the checklist
Once you've booked your photographer, add it to your wedding checklist so you never lose track of deposits, timelines, and delivery dates.
Start your free checklistFrequently asked questions
When should we book our wedding photographer?
Popular photographers, especially in busy wedding markets, tend to book up well in advance. As a general rule, start reaching out as soon as you have a date and venue, and try to book several months to a year ahead if your date falls in peak wedding season.
What's the difference between a wedding photographer and a videographer?
A photographer captures still images; a videographer captures moving footage, often including your vows and speeches. Some vendors offer both, while others specialize in one — ask upfront which services are included.
Should we do a first look?
A first look (seeing each other privately before the ceremony) is a personal choice, not a requirement. It can free up more time for portraits and cocktail hour, but plenty of couples prefer the traditional aisle reveal instead.
How many photos should we expect to receive?
This varies by photographer and package length, so ask for a typical delivered-photo count from a wedding of similar length to yours rather than assuming a standard number.
happily ever after starts here
Ready to find your photographers?
Create a free Wedlo account, tell us what you're looking for, and hear from vendors who fit — no more cold-emailing every business in town.