How to Price Wedding Photography Packages
Wedding photography packages typically run $1,500–$3,000 for newer photographers, $3,000–$6,000 for established shooters, and $6,000+ for in-demand names in major markets. Price from your true cost per wedding — shooting hours plus 15–25 hours of editing, second shooter, gear, insurance, and taxes — then build three tiers where the middle one is the one you actually want to sell.
Package ranges by experience
| Level | Typical package |
|---|---|
| Newer / building portfolio | $1,500–$3,000 |
| Established | $3,000–$6,000 |
| In-demand, major market | $6,000+ |
Price from your real cost per wedding
An eight-hour wedding is rarely eight hours of work:
- Shooting — 8–10 hours including travel.
- Culling and editing — 15–25 hours.
- Consultations, timeline, planning — 3–5 hours.
- Backup, delivery, admin — 2–3 hours.
That’s 30–40 hours per wedding. A $2,000 package is under $60/hour before gear depreciation, insurance, software, and self-employment tax.
Build tiers that sell the middle
Three tiers, with the middle one built to win. Keep the entry tier genuinely limited — fewer hours, no second shooter — and let the top tier be aspirational enough that it makes the middle look like the obvious, sensible choice.
Payment plans beat discounts
A retainer plus installments solves the cash-flow problem without touching your price. Discounting solves that same objection too, but it does it by permanently telling the client — and yourself — that your work is worth less.
Related: wedding photographer invoice template and how to invoice a wedding with a payment plan.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours does a wedding really cost me?
Far more than the shooting day. Eight hours of coverage typically means 15–25 hours of culling and editing, plus consultations, a timeline call, travel, and backup. A $2,000 wedding at 35 total hours is under $60 an hour before gear and taxes.
How should I structure tiers?
Three tiers, with the middle designed to be chosen. Make the entry tier genuinely limited, the middle tier the obvious value, and the top tier aspirational. Most couples pick the middle when the comparison is clear.
Should I offer payment plans?
Yes — a retainer plus two or three installments ending before the wedding. It makes a $4,000 package feel manageable and it beats discounting, because you keep the full price while solving the actual objection, which is cash flow.