Once you got engaged you probably began dreaming of all sorts of beautiful elements to your wedding day. But like many couples, you may have begun to experience some sticker shock as you began researching vendors. You’re not alone! Weddings are expensive affairs! Now you’re probably wondering how to best allocate your budget to the things that matter most, including how much to spend on wedding photography. Today I’m going to share with you a few good pointers to help you decide how much you should spend on your wedding photographer and videographer.

Why is Wedding Photography So Expensive?

First of all, let’s set a good foundation and go over why wedding photography costs what it does. Firstly, wedding photographers have to set high prices simply to make ends meet. Anywhere from 30-50% of what you as the client pays goes out the door to business expenses. Another 20-30% goes to paying taxes. (Small business owners pay a higher income tax rate than those with W-2 salaries). That leaves a fairly small margin for the photographer’s own personal living expenses.

In addition, wedding photography is by nature a luxury service. You can take photographs on your iPhone. Will those be as good as professional photos? Absolutely not. A professional wedding photographer has invested money into high quality gear as well as time into crafting their skills to master tricky lighting scenarios and fast-paced moving days. 

One more thing to keep in mind: you don’t actually need professional wedding photography to get married. You probably just want it. (This is true for just about all wedding vendors, as truly you only need a church or courthouse and a couple of witnesses!) Now I’m certainly not trying to talk you out of wedding photography! I believe it’s truly valuable. More on that below. But I do want to get your mindset in the right place before we begin talking numbers. 

How to Set Your Budget

Now that we’ve covered why photography costs what it does, let’s talk numbers. A good rule of thumb is to set aside 10-15% of your total wedding budget to photo and video services. If you want both photography and videography, you can expect to pay on the higher end of this percentage (for example, 8% for photography and 7% for videography). If you only want photography, you may want to allocate just 10% of your overall wedding budget. 

How does this look? Let’s say for example you’re planning on a $50,000 wedding. You can safely set aside $5,000 for wedding photography, or $7,500 for photograph and videography combined.

If you’re planning a $30,000 wedding, you may want to allocate anywhere from $3,000 to $4,500 for photography and/or videography services. 

What is the Average Price for a Wedding Photographer?

The average price for a wedding photographer varies based on location. I’m based in Raleigh, NC, and in 2025 the average price for photography here ranges from $3,500 to $8,000, according to Heart of NC Weddings. This is just for photography. You can expect to find similar packages for videography. A 2024 survey of photographers found that the average rate in the US for a wedding photographer is around $5,500.

What If the Average is Higher than My Budget Allows?

If the average price of a wedding photographer in your area is higher than your budget allows (according to the 10-15% rule of thumb), you have a few options. The first is to look for ways to save on other parts of your wedding day. Here are a few ways you could do that:

• DIY your stationery (Canva is great for this!)
• Opt for more greenery than florals, particularly in the table centerpieces
• Serve a buffet instead of a plated meal
• Choose a small cake instead of a large tiered cake. Guests can eat sheet cake or other desserts

These options may free up an extra thousand or two here and there, which can make a huge difference when choosing your photographer. One of these money-saving options would be my recommendation for most couples.

The second option is to choose a less expensive photographer. There are always beginner and budget-photographers out there who will do it for less. However, I am going to put a strong word of caution here. Wedding photography takes time to master, and your wedding is a one-time event. A beginning or budget photographer may show you a few images that look good, but you run a higher risk of something going wrong. A new photographer may not know how to navigate a tricky lighting scenario. A budget photographer may not have the best systems in place to protect your files. I strongly urge you to look for Google reviews (not just what they show on their website) and ask to see photos from across an entire wedding day. Also beware of prices that “seem too good to be true”. There are scammers out there, and I’ve heard horror stories! If wedding photography is important to you, I wouldn’t go this route. 

Wedding Photography is Worth the Investment

When it comes to your wedding day, I truly believe professional wedding photography and videography is worth the investment. Aside from your dress, the photographs are the only thing that last. (And where will your wedding dress go? Probably the back of your closet!) Your photographs, on the other hand, will be seen every day. You’ll frame them for your walls, display them in an album on the coffee table, and you’ll smile every time you walk by. Our memories are faulty, and photographs inevitably shape how we remember the day. I know it’s a lot to spend, but I believe it’s truly worth it.

If you’re getting married in the Raleigh-Durham area and looking for a wedding photographer, I’d love to chat more! Fill out my inquiry form here and I’ll send you over my pricing!