If you’ve recently gotten engaged, congratulations! You’ve may have already started researching venues, dates, and budgets, only to realize how quickly wedding costs add up. One of the first major decisions you’ll make is choosing your wedding photographer. So let’s talk about it: how much does wedding photography cost in Raleigh, NC? And what should you expect when it comes to investing in your memories?

In this guide, we’ll break down:

• Why wedding photography is priced the way it is
• The average cost of a wedding photographer in Raleigh
• Budgeting tips based on your total wedding spend
• What to do if your budget is tight
• Why photography is one of the most worthwhile investments you can make

Why is Wedding Photography So Expensive?

At first glance, wedding photography might seem like a splurge—but there’s a lot going on behind the scenes.

Here’s where your money goes:

• 30–50% of your payment covers business expenses (gear, insurance, editing software, assistants, galleries, and more)
• 20–30% goes to taxes (self-employed small business owners pay higher rates)
• The rest is the photographer’s take-home pay—for both the wedding day itself and the 30+ hours involved with editing, communication, and delivery

Photography is also a luxury service. Technically, you could document your day with an iPhone! (But who would want to do that?) A professional photographer brings:

• Years of experience capturing real moments in real time
• Top-tier equipment and backups
• Skill in handling tricky lighting and timelines
• Systems to safely store and deliver your images

So while wedding photography is expensive, it’s also valuable. Let’s talk about how to make room for it in your budget.

What’s a Good Budget for Wedding Photography?

A common recommendation is to allocate 10–15% of your total wedding budget to photo and video. Here’s how that might break down:

Wedding Budget	Photography Budget (10–15%)
$30,000	$3,000–$4,500
$40,000	$4,000–$6,000
$50,000	$5,000–$7,500

If you plan to hire both a photographer and a videographer, split that amount between the two (e.g., 8% for photo, 7% for video).

Average Wedding Photographer Cost in Raleigh (2025-2026)

In Raleigh and the surrounding Triangle area, wedding photographer pricing ranges widely depending on experience, services, and style.

According to Heart of NC Weddings, and other local sources, here’s what you can expect in 2025-2026:

• Average range: $3,500 – $8,000
• Luxury & editorial photographers: $7,000 – $10,000+
• Beginner photographers: $1,500 – $3,000

Most established Raleigh wedding photographers fall between $4,000–$6,500, offering full-day coverage, engagement sessions, and online galleries.

What If That’s More Than You Budgeted?

If the average wedding photography cost is above what you expected, you have options:

1. Shift Your Budget Priorities

The first thing I’d recommend is to consider reducing spending in other categories:

• Use DIY stationery (Canva makes it easy!)
• Opt for greenery-based floral designs
• Serve a buffet instead of plated meals
• Choose a small decorative cake and supplement with 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. This is my recommendation for most couples.

2. Hire a Less Experienced Photographer (with caution)

As an alternative, you may find newer photographers offering lower prices. Please be careful with this option. While some new photographers are talented and just starting out, I’ve heard countless horror stories of couples who weren’t happy with their budget photographer choices. If you truly are set on going this route, here are a few tips:

• Ask to see full wedding galleries (not just Instagram highlights)
• Check reviews on Google (not just testimonials they provide)
• Make sure they have contracts, backup equipment, and a reliable image delivery process

Your wedding only happens once, so it’s worth hiring someone you fully trust.

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!