Wedding Photography Prices UK: the quick answer (and the honest bit)
If you’re Googling wedding photography prices UK, you’ve probably seen quotes that feel wildly different – and wondered if someone’s missing a zero. You’re not imagining it. Wedding photography pricing varies because you’re not just paying for “hours with a camera”… you’re paying for experience, consistency, and how safe your memories are in real-world conditions.
QUICK ANSWER
In the UK, wedding photography prices typically sit around £800 – £3,000+ for a full day, with many “average” figures often quoted around £1,500 (give or take location and season). Premium, highly experienced photographers can sit above that range, especially when you add things like a second shooter, albums, or photo + film coverage.
We’re Marta May Photography – also known as The Mays (Marta + Artur). We’re TWIA National Winners (2023) and now TWIA Judges (2024–present), and we’ve photographed hundreds of weddings in every kind of light and weather. So this guide is here to help you understand pricing properly and choose quality with confidence (without getting pulled into bargain-hunting or salesy nonsense).
Next, we’ll show you the simplest way to compare photographers beyond price, because that’s where couples avoid regret.
How to compare wedding photographers beyond price (the 2-minute checklist)
Most couples start by comparing numbers – totally normal. But the real differences between photographers don’t show up in a price list. They show up when the light is terrible, the timeline slips, it rains sideways, or the ceremony is basically candlelight.
So before you decide what to spend, use this checklist. It’s the fastest way to spot quality (and avoid “looks good on Instagram, falls apart in real life”).
1) Ask for 2–3 full wedding galleries
Not highlights. Full galleries show consistency from prep to party, and whether they can deliver more than a handful of hero shots.
2) Check real low-light work
Look for ceremonies in dark barns/churches, speeches, first dance, and dance floor chaos. If they can’t show it, assume it’s a weakness.
3) See rainy / tricky weather examples
Anyone can shoot in perfect sun. A great photographer can create gorgeous photos when the weather doesn’t play along.
4) Understand what “edited” means
Is it careful image-by-image work, or a fast batch preset? Ask what their editing process actually looks like.
5) Ask about backup and data safety
How do they protect your images on the day and after? (This matters more than most couples realise.)
6) Confirm who is actually photographing you
Is it the person you met and booked – or an associate? If it’s an associate model, ask to see full galleries from that shooter.
7) Look for calm direction (not constant posing)
The best photographers can guide you quickly when needed… and then disappear so real moments happen.
8) Check delivery expectations
What’s the typical delivery time? How do you receive the gallery? Do they archive your images?
Wedding photography price bands UK (and what you actually get)
These bands aren’t strict rules – every photographer prices differently. However, they’re a really useful way to understand why quotes can be £900… or £4,000+… and what usually changes as the price rises.
£800 – £1,200: newer / part-time / shorter coverage
This range often includes newer photographers, part-time shooters, or shorter packages (a few hours rather than full-day storytelling). You might get lovely photos here, but the risks are usually:
- fewer full galleries to prove consistency
- less experience in low light (churches, barns, dance floor)
- simpler backup plans and workflow
- more variation in editing consistency
Best for: very small weddings, couples who don’t mind a simpler gallery, or those who can confirm strong full-gallery proof.
£1,200 – £2,500: established full-day wedding photography
This is where many experienced wedding photographers sit for full-day coverage. You’ll usually see:
- more consistent storytelling across the whole day
- stronger handling of tricky light + fast moments
- a clearer process (planning help, calm direction, reliable delivery)
- more polished, cohesive editing
Best for: most couples who want full-day coverage and want to feel confident they’ll get a strong, complete story.
£2,500 – £5,000+: premium / specialist / “safest choice”
This is typically where you find photographers who deliver a very consistent signature style, deeper experience under pressure, and a more guided, finished service. Often includes:
- high consistency from prep → party (not just portraits)
- confident low-light + bad-weather results
- higher reliability standards (workflows, backups, contingencies)
- premium finishing options (albums, second shooter, photo + film, etc.)
Best for: couples who want the safest, most consistent choice – and care most about how their memories look and feel for decades.
A quick reality check (worth reading)
Price doesn’t automatically equal quality. But consistency, reliability, and experience usually cost more because they take years (and hundreds of weddings) to build.
What affects wedding photography prices UK?
If two quotes look miles apart, it’s usually because they’re not offering the same thing. Here are the biggest factors that change wedding photography prices in the UK – and what to look for so you’re comparing properly.
1) Hours of coverage (and how “complete” the story is)
A shorter package might cover ceremony + portraits. Full-day coverage includes the parts you’ll forget you even had: morning nerves, guests arriving, hugs you didn’t see, reactions during speeches, and the late-night chaos.
2) Experience in real conditions (dark + fast + unpredictable)
This is the big one. Churches, barns, winter weddings, late speeches, rain – an experienced photographer can still deliver strong, flattering, emotional images when the day doesn’t behave.
3) Editing time and consistency
A beautiful gallery is built after the wedding: culling, colour, skin tones, black & white choices, story flow, and consistency across hundreds (sometimes thousands) of images. Cheaper pricing often means less time spent here.
4) Second photographer (what it actually gives you)
A second shooter isn’t just “more photos”. It’s:
- both sides of prep (if you’re getting ready separately)
- more guest reactions during the ceremony
- better coverage when timings clash
- fuller storytelling (especially at big weddings)
5) What’s included (albums, prints, photo + film)
Physical products add design time and specialist production. Hybrid coverage (photo + film) changes the workload and deliverables too, so the pricing moves accordingly.
6) Travel and logistics
Some photographers include travel within a certain radius; others price it separately. Also consider multi-day events, destination weddings, and venues with tricky access/timings.
7) Professional reliability (the unsexy but important bits)
Contracts, insurance, backup gear, data safety, archiving, and contingency plans. It’s not the glamorous part of wedding photography, but it’s a huge part of why “premium” often equals “peace of mind”.
What you’re really paying for (beyond the hours)
When you invest in wedding photography, you’re not buying “someone to take pictures”. You’re buying the ability to tell your story beautifully, no matter what happens, and to do it calmly, consistently, and safely.
1) One chance, no re-takes
Weddings move fast. The glance from your mum, the squeeze of a hand, the way your friends lose it on the dance floor – it happens once. Great photographers anticipate it, not stage it.
2) Calm guidance (so you still feel like you)
DOCU-ART is documentary-first, but you won’t be left wondering what to do with your hands. You get gentle direction when it matters, and then space to be fully present while real moments unfold.
3) Consistency through bad light, bad weather, and messy timelines
Anyone can shoot in perfect sunshine. The difference is delivering images you love when it’s:
- raining at confetti
- dark in the ceremony room
- speeches run late
- the dance floor is basically a cave with disco lights
4) The edit: where the “magic” actually gets built
After the wedding, the work continues. A premium gallery takes time: choosing the strongest frames, shaping the story, colour consistency, flattering skin tones, emotional pacing, and careful black & white work, not a quick preset dump.
5) Reliability and protection
Backups, insurance, professional workflow, data safety, archiving – it’s not exciting, but it’s what lets you relax. Your memories deserve more than “hope nothing goes wrong”.
6) A finished experience (not just files)
For many couples, the real value is how the photos live afterwards: beautiful delivery, guidance, and options like albums that turn your day into something physical you’ll actually revisit.
A quick note from The Mays
We’re Marta May Photography – The Mays (Marta + Artur). We’re TWIA National Winners (2023) and now TWIA Judges (2024–present). We photograph weddings across Herefordshire, the Cotswolds and the UK, and we’re known for calm, creative coverage, especially when conditions aren’t “perfect”.
If you’re looking for the cheapest option, we probably won’t be the right fit, and that’s genuinely okay.
But if you want the safest choice: consistent storytelling, beautiful portraits without awkward posing, and a gallery that still looks incredible in real wedding conditions we’d love to hear about your plans.
Check availability / enquire
See packages & pricing
Related posts and pages
- How to save money on your wedding
- Wedding photography and money: a real story (and what couples actually value)
- Why good wedding photography can feel expensive (and what you’re really paying for)
- Rainy wedding photos: how to get beautiful photos in the rain
- Blue hour wedding photography: the always-guaranteed alternative to golden hour
- Best confetti photos: how to plan the perfect confetti moment
- Group wedding photos: how to keep them fast, fun, and stress-free
- Wedding album: your visual legacy (why albums matter)
- Engagement shoot: what it is and why it helps on your wedding day
- Pre-wedding shoot benefits (for relaxed, natural photos)
Wedding photography prices UK: FAQ (quick, useful answers)
How much should we budget for wedding photography in the UK?
A sensible starting point is to budget for the level of experience and consistency you want, not just a number. Many couples land somewhere in the mid-range for full-day coverage, while premium photographers sit higher because they’re built for tricky light, bad weather, and fast timelines (and they deliver consistent full galleries).
Is a second photographer worth it?
Often, yes, especially if you’re getting ready in different places, have a big guest list, or want more reactions captured during the ceremony and speeches. It’s less about “more photos” and more about more moments.
Do you offer shorter coverage for smaller weddings?
Yes, for smaller weddings and shorter days, shorter coverage can make perfect sense. The key is making sure the timeline still covers the parts you’ll care about most (arrivals, ceremony, hugs, portraits, and a little celebration).
What happens if it rains or the venue is dark?
You still get beautiful photos. We plan for it, we know how to shoot in low light, and we’re calm about weather. If it rains, we’ll use it creatively (and we’ll guide you to the best sheltered spots). You can also read: Rainy wedding photos and Blue hour wedding photography.
When do we get our photos?
You’ll get your finished gallery after editing and careful story curation – not a rushed batch. (We’ll always set clear delivery expectations in advance so you know exactly what to expect.)
Do you keep backups and can we re-download later?
Yes. Your images are protected with a proper backup workflow, and you’ll be able to access your online gallery for easy downloading and sharing.
Do you offer wedding albums?
Yes – and we love them. Albums are the most “future-proof” way to enjoy your photos long-term, and we guide you through image selection and design so it feels easy. You can read: Wedding album: your visual legacy.
We’re comparing photographers – what should we ask?
Ask for 2–3 full galleries, ask how they handle low light and rain, ask what “edited” really means, and confirm who will actually photograph your wedding. Those answers tell you more than a price ever will.
How to choose the right wedding photographer for you (so you don’t regret it later)
Wedding photography prices matter – of course they do. But what matters more is choosing the kind of photographer you’ll still be glad you booked years from now, when the flowers are gone and the day is a blur.
Here’s the simplest way to self-select.
If you want posed, traditional photos…
Look for a photographer who:
- shows lots of clean, formal group photos
- gives strong posing direction
- has galleries that feel classic and structured
That style can be perfect if you love a more “set-piece” approach.
If you want real storytelling and gorgeous portraits (DOCU-ART)
Look for a photographer who:
- shows full galleries with real moments (not just couple portraits)
- captures reactions, laughter, nerves, and the in-between bits
- can still create cinematic portraits quickly, without turning your day into a photoshoot
That’s the sweet spot we call DOCU-ART: documentary emotion + cinematic fine-art portraits.
If you hate being photographed…
Choose someone who:
- works with gentle prompts (not stiff poses)
- shoots fast when it matters
- makes you feel like you’re just hanging out, not “performing”
The goal is to feel like yourselves – not like models.
If you care about guests, atmosphere, and the party…
Ask for proof of:
- speeches and reactions
- dance floor coverage (real, not staged)
- low-light confidence
A lot of photographers can do golden-hour portraits. Fewer can tell the whole story well.
One question that saves most couples
“Can we see 2–3 full wedding galleries in tricky conditions?”
Rain. Dark venues. Winter weddings. Late speeches. Busy dance floors.
If they can deliver consistency there, you’re in safe hands.
