Is It Possible to Find Affordable Wedding Photography? Pros Share How to Save Money on Wedding Photography

A picture is worth a thousand words, but how many dollars does that equate to? No one wants their wedding budget to go to waste, so it makes sense that you'd want to find affordable wedding photography that balances good quality with reasonable pricing.

Here's the thing, affordable isn't synonymous with cheap. You want amazing wedding photos that'll you'll cherish forever and to get those, an amateur just won't do. We asked experienced wedding photographers to give their two cents on smart ways to research affordable wedding photography so you can book a reputable wedding photographer you'll love.

It might be tempting to skip a pro shooter or to ask a friend to take photos—but trust us, not hiring photo pros is one of the biggest, most common wedding regrets for couples who didn't. If you're on a budget, missing out on gorgeous images isn't the answer—instead, follow these money-conscious tricks to save on wedding snaps.

Understand Regional Cost Differences

So, how much is affordable wedding photography? Here's the thing, affordability is relative and what one to-be-wed considers expensive may be cheap to another nearlywed.

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With that said, The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study found that the national average cost of wedding photography is $2,900. This average is just that—the mean cost from couples of all wedding budgets and all corners of the country. However, if you live in a high-cost-of-living (HCOL) city, like New York or San Francisco, you can expect the baseline to be more expensive. For example, the cost of a wedding in New York City is typically 80% higher than the national average and, as such, couples should expect to pay closer to $5,220 as a bare minimum for wedding photography. If you're wondering what baseline you should have in mind for your wedding photography, look at the average wedding cost in your state and quickly calculate the percentage difference in overall spending compared to the national average cost of a wedding. Knowing that information will make it easier to then figure out how the cost for individual vendors, like photographers, may differ.

While data from previous years can help paint a picture of cost, it's also beneficial to see what those in the field are currently experiencing, especially with inflation on the rise. When we spoke with pros to shed even more light on the cost of an affordable wedding photographer, they painted a picture with a few more dollar signs. Collin Pierson, owner of Collin Pearson Photography, explains that in the markets where he works (Palm Beach and Chicago) reputable, experienced photographers require $9,000+ investments. "Affordable can mean many different things," he says. "The question really is about what level of comfort you have with the competency and consistency of the photographer you are choosing. The old adage that 'you get what you pay for' does apply here."

Meanwhile, Craig Peterman, who is based in Tuscon, Arizona, and owns Craig Peterman Photography & Videography, shares that $3,500 is a fair-market value for an eight-hour wedding photography package, but in nearby Phoenix couples can expect that rate to double. Similarly, Nicole Chan, owner of Nicole Chan Photo & Video in Boston, shares that mid-range rates in the Massachusetts capital are around $5,000-$8,000, with luxury rates reaching double-digits.

Real talk? We've cited vastly different numbers for wedding photography and that may have left your head spinning. As Megan Breukelman, a wedding photographer with Megan & Kenneth, points out, "affordable photography isn't a one-size-fits-all when it comes to weddings."

So where do you go from here? The key takeaway is that affordability needs to be closely balanced with quality and priorities as inexpensive is not synonymous with affordable. You can find a cheap wedding photographer very easily, but an affordable wedding photographer is one that meets your expectations and is up to the challenge at a reasonable price. The big caveat is that a reasonable quote for a quality photographer may be pricier than you were initially anticipating.

Pro Tip: As you're building your wedding budget, consult with a wedding planner to get their expert advice on how much you should expect to spend and how you can work to maximize your budget. They'll be most familiar with your marrying location and able to help you personalize your wedding budget.

Align on Your Priorities

Your wedding budget breakdown should ultimately mirror your personal priorities. The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study found that couples, on average, spend 8% of their overall wedding budget on photography. However, that breakdown can (and should) change based on what's important to you.

"How important is my photography?" This is the question that Jordan Roepke, owner of Jordan Roepke Photography, encourages all to-be-weds to ask themselves. The pro encourages engaged folks to "make a list of the top ten most important investments you can make on your wedding day, and prioritize your budget accordingly. A lot of times, couples wait until the last minute to book vendors that are actually quite important to them and have to struggle with finding a great vendor on their now-too-limited budget. It's never too early to book the vendors that matter the most to you. Just remember that your photography is the one thing that you get to keep."

Know Your Budget—Affordability Isn't One-Size-Fits-All

Since affordability means different things to different people, it's important to clearly outline your wedding budget before you get into the weeds with finding a photographer.

"Start by defining your budget clearly and then look for photographers who offer packages within that range," suggests Peterman. To utilize your time most effectively, focus your research on pros who are within your budget, rather than daydreaming about ones that are far outside your means.

Prioritize Quality (Affordable Isn't Synonymous With Cheap)

Sacrificing quality for the sake of an inexpensive (or inexperienced) photographer is a mistake that many of the pros I spoke with warned against.

Peterman warns that "poor photography can lead to regrets. Trust me when I say you are going to regret that $200 photographer. A common mistake is hiring a friend or family member who isn't a professional. While it might save money upfront, it often results in missed moments and lower-quality photos. Listen, these are your once-in-a-lifetime moments, do you really want to go cheap on the only memory you'll have of the day? I have seen way too many people upset about a cheap vendor, especially photographers, and for good reason—it's an important day, and you need experience and poise from your vendors."

Work With a Wedding Planner

Hiring a wedding planner before any of your other vendors is a great way to ensure you build the best vendor team possible at a price that works for you. Wedding planners will be able to help you allocate your wedding budget effectively and source pros that fit your aesthetic as well as your wallet.

Find Packages That Align With Your Priorities

"Don't be afraid to ask for customized packages that fit your specific needs," encourages Peterman. How many hours of coverage do you need? Do you want a package that includes an engagement session? Does it matter to you if the package includes a printed album?

Breukelman explains that it's paramount for couples to understand what's included in a package to get the clearest picture of affordability. The pro points out that if you book a package simply because it is cheap, but later realize it doesn't include elements that are important to you, you'll end up spending more. "If you're going for a wedding photographer with a six-hour package who provides a cap on the number of photos delivered, you'll end up spending more when you want those extra hours on your timeline or extra photos."

Hire a Pro Local to Your Wedding Location

The price of a pro will often increase if you hire them for a job they'll need to travel to. Remember, they're not just getting themselves there—they'll be lugging pounds of expensive equipment with them too. In other words, if you're from New York and getting married in California, it's probably worth finding California photo and video teams.

Host the Ceremony and Reception at the Same Venue

Where you choose to say "I do" and party can potentially affect your photo and video prices. By hosting the ceremony and reception at the same venue, you'll have more time to take portraits, cover cocktail hour and more, since you won't need to spend time traveling to several locations. You'll actually end up saving in a few other ways too, like transportation, rentals and venue charges.

Ask for Referrals If a Pro Is Outside Your Budget

If you've crunched the numbers again and again and still can't make the photographer or videographer you want work for your budget, don't give up yet. They may still be able to help in other ways, like giving you a referral to another pro within your budget with a similar style.

"I'm happy to suggest someone who's more affordable if my packages are out of a client's range. In the photography community, we're constantly referring to other people we admire," Cory Ryan of Cory Ryan Photography in Austin, Texas, says. They may give you a few names of other pros they've tag-teamed with before (often called associate or second shooters) who charge less simply because they're not as well known (yet). Before you sign any contracts, meet with alternate pros in person first (and ask them these questions)—you want to be sure you're comfortable with him or her because they'll be your wedding day shadow.

Read Reviews and Conduct Thorough Research

"In an effort to save time and money, couples might not thoroughly review a photographer's portfolio, resulting in unmet expectations and disappointment," cautions Chan.

As part of your review process, make sure to speak directly with a potential vendor and ask them questions to better understand if they're a good fit for your wedding. "Don't book anyone without speaking to them on the phone, and even better, meeting in person or over a video call," advises Roepke. You're going to be spending more time on your wedding day with your photographer than with just about anyone else, so it's really important that you get along.

Additionally, ask to see full galleries that show the breadth of their work on a wedding day, since social media sneak peeks are merely a highlight reel. "Oftentimes, a photographer's social media account can be misleading," says Chan. "It's easy to take one good photograph a day and advertise it on Instagram, but it takes exceptional talent to consistently create beautiful photographers, no matter the lighting challenges, weather, or other unforeseen surprises that often happen on the day of an event."

Ask About Payment Plans

Chances are, the total cost of your wedding photography won't all be due at once. Many photographers ask for some as an initial deposit with the remainder due shortly before the wedding. If you have your heart set on a certain pro and are confident you can make their prices work, be transparent with them about your situation and ask what kinds of payment plans they have available. Paying in installments may help lighten the financial burden.

But waiting to create an album doesn't mean you can't see your photos for a whole year. You can still admire and show off your shots when they're ready a few weeks after our wedding. You'll get at least a portion of the digital files as soon as they've been edited—you may even get access to an online gallery too. The same goes for videography. Many videographers will upload your highlight reel to an online platform like Vimeo for you to watch on repeat and post all over social (no shame!).

Wait to Buy Prints

In addition to researching various payment options, you can also look into if there are any costs you can postpone until after the wedding. If an album isn't a part of your photography package already, don't worry about spending money on one right now. Focus on hiring a pro who will take great shots. Think of it this way: A beautiful album is the perfect gift to give each other as a twist on the paper theme for your first anniversary.

"At the end of the day, your wedding photos are your lifetime memories," emphasizes Breukelman. "You'll want to be sure that you choose an option that you'll be happy with in the long run. Look for someone who will capture your photos in a way that feels timeless to you. Think about what you want to see on the walls of your home, what you want to be showing future generations of your family. Even think about what you want as your phone lock screen. Your wedding photos are heirlooms, a timeless representation of your love and commitment to each other. The price you're paying is the price of re-living those moments over and over again."

Please note: The Knot and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, financial or tax advice and should not be used as such. You should always consult with your financial and tax advisors about your specific circumstances. This information contained herein is not necessarily exhaustive, complete, accurate or up to date and we undertake no responsibility to update. In addition, we do not take responsibility for information contained in any external links, over which we have no control.