Our Guide to Wedding Photography

When it comes to weddings, the day flies by, but the photographs last forever. At Stories Of I Do, we don’t just take pictures—we tell your love story with heartfelt, meaningful imagery. Based in Leeds, we specialise in turning fleeting moments into timeless memories. Here, we answer the most common questions UK couples have in or Guide to Wedding Photography and share how we can make your wedding unforgettable.

Guide To Wedding Photography Tithe Barn

1. How Much Can a Wedding Photographer Charge?

Wedding photography prices in the UK can vary significantly, influenced by factors like experience, location, package inclusions, and the length of coverage. Typically, you can expect the following:

  • Entry-level photographers: £500 - £1,000, often suitable for smaller or less formal weddings. These photographers may be just starting out or building their portfolios, offering a budget-friendly option for couples on a tighter budget.
  • Experienced professionals: £1,000 - £2,500, offering comprehensive coverage and polished results. Photographers in this range usually have an established reputation and provide high-quality work, including professionally edited images.
  • Luxury and high-end photographers: £3,000+, known for their artistic approach and premium service. They often work on large-scale or destination weddings and may offer bespoke albums, pre-wedding shoots, and additional services.

It’s important to understand what’s included in the package. Some photographers charge extra for engagement sessions, travel fees, or additional hours. Before booking, always clarify what’s covered to avoid any surprises later.

At Stories Of I Do, we understand that each wedding is unique, so our packages are designed to be flexible, ensuring you get the quality and attention you deserve. From intimate ceremonies to grand celebrations, we offer tailored options with full transparency—no hidden costs.

Here is a link to a recent Reddit post where the users asked "How much is a wedding photographer"
The prices mentioned varied depending on the specific services and packages the couples were looking for.

Our Guide to Wedding Photography provides insights into how to choose the right photographer for your special day.

Guide To Wedding Photography Thornton Hall Country Park

In this Guide to Wedding Photography, we’ll cover different styles that can shape your wedding experience.

2. Which Photography Style is Best for a Wedding?

The best photography style depends on the mood, theme, and emotions you want to capture on your wedding day. Here are some common options:

  • Traditional: Classic, posed shots that include must-have moments like family portraits and the first kiss. This style is perfect if you value timeless, formal images.
  • Candid/Photojournalistic: Spontaneous and natural images that tell a story, capturing laughter, tears, and joy as they happen. It’s ideal for couples who want to see the genuine, unscripted emotions of their guests.
  • Fine Art: Dreamy, creative shots that use light, composition, and styling to create artistic, magazine-worthy images. This style often includes close attention to details, making each image feel like a work of art.
  • Editorial: Inspired by fashion photography, these images are carefully staged to create a luxurious and polished feel. It’s a great option for couples looking to achieve a sophisticated, high-end aesthetic.

Sometimes couples prefer a blend of styles. For example, you may want traditional group shots for family and editorial-style portraits for the couple session, but candid images during the reception. At Stories Of I Do, we combine these styles based on your preferences, ensuring you get a balanced gallery that reflects both the beauty and authenticity of your day. We’ll discuss your vision during our consultations and tailor our approach accordingly.

Our Guide to Wedding Photography also explains why you should invest in a quality photographer.

Guide To Wedding Photography
Guide To Wedding Photography

3. Why Are Wedding Photographers So Expensive in the UK?

While wedding photography might seem costly, there are several important factors behind the pricing:

  • Professional Equipment: High-quality cameras, lenses, lighting, and backup gear to handle any situation. Photographers often carry multiple cameras and lenses to ensure flexibility and reliability during the event.
  • Post-Production: Editing is a meticulous process that can take up to 40 hours or more to perfect your gallery. This includes colour correction, retouching, and creating cohesive storytelling through the selected images.
  • Experience: Years of shooting weddings help photographers anticipate key moments and work efficiently. They know how to adapt to different lighting conditions, manage large groups, and capture fleeting moments.
  • Business Costs: Insurance, software, travel expenses, marketing, and more are factored into the pricing. These expenses help photographers maintain professional standards and protect their clients.

Additionally, photographers often invest in continued education, attending workshops, seminars, and conferences to improve their craft. This professional development helps them stay up to date with trends, technology, and creative techniques, ultimately benefiting their clients. Hiring a skilled photographer ensures that you’re not just getting photos—you’re getting expertly captured memories that you’ll cherish for years. At Stories Of I Do, we invest in quality tools and dedicate time to crafting images you’ll be proud to share.

With our Guide to Wedding Photography, you’ll learn how many photos you can expect from your wedding day.

Guide To Wedding Photography Leeds Town Hall

4. How Many Pictures Should a Wedding Photographer Take?

The number of photos taken at a wedding varies depending on the size of the event, the duration of coverage, and the photographer’s shooting style. For a full-day wedding, photographers typically capture between 2,000 to 5,000 images. However, you won’t receive all of these photos.

After careful curation, editing, and refinement, most clients receive around 500 - 1000 high-quality images. These selected photos will include key moments, emotional reactions, candid shots, and stunning portraits that together tell the complete story of your day. A good photographer knows how to trim down thousands of images to deliver only the best—those that spark joy, emotion, and fond memories.

Every shot goes through a quality control process, where photographers evaluate focus, composition, lighting, and the overall feel of the image. Photos that don’t meet these criteria, such as duplicates or blurry shots, are removed during the culling stage.

At Stories Of I Do, Our goal is to provide a diverse mix of emotional, artistic, and documentary-style shots.

Find out in our Guide to Wedding Photography how location can affect your photographer's fees.

Guide To Wedding Photography
And Example of the range of photographs taken on a wedding day

5. How Much Do Wedding Photographers Make in the UK?

Wedding photographers’ earnings in the UK depend on their experience, location, and workload. On average:

  • Entry-level photographers: £20,000 to £30,000 per year, often working part-time or on smaller events. They may also be building their portfolios or gaining experience in the industry.
  • Experienced professionals: £40,000+ per year, typically covering larger weddings and offering higher-tier packages. These photographers often have a strong reputation and steady client referrals.
  • High-end photographers: £60,000 or more annually, specialising in luxury weddings and destination events. Their services are often in high demand, and they may work internationally or on exclusive projects.

Income can also vary based on whether photographers work full-time or freelance. Freelancers have the flexibility to set their own prices but may have variable earnings depending on the season and demand. For Stories Of I Do, our work goes beyond income—we’re driven by the passion for creating timeless memories for our clients. The relationships we build and the trust placed in us fuel our creativity and dedication. We strive to deliver exceptional service and unforgettable images that exceed expectations.

Let our Guide to Wedding Photography help you understand how to budget for your big day.

Guide To Wedding Photography Civic Hall

6. How Much Does a Photographer Charge Per Hour in the UK?

Hourly rates for wedding photographers in the UK typically range from £100 to £200 per hour. However, most couples opt for full-day packages, which provide comprehensive coverage and better value for money.

A full-day package typically covers:

  • Bride and groom preparations
  • Ceremony and key moments
  • Portraits and group shots
  • Reception and evening festivities

Hourly rates may work well for smaller or mid-week weddings, elopements, or registry office ceremonies, where only a few hours of coverage are needed. Full-day packages, on the other hand, often include added benefits such as pre-wedding consultations, editing, and access to additional services. At Stories Of I Do, our packages are thoughtfully designed to ensure you don’t have to worry about missing any important moments. We offer options for partial or extended coverage depending on your unique needs.

Our Guide to Wedding Photography should have given you a idea of how much a wedding photographer charges per hour.

Guide To Wedding Photography Northorpe Barn Mirfield

7. How Long Before a Wedding Should You Book a Photographer?

Booking your wedding photographer early is essential to secure your preferred professional, especially during peak wedding seasons. We recommend booking:

  • 12 to 18 months in advance for summer weddings, popular dates (such as Bank Holidays) or popular venues.
  • 6 to 12 months in advance for smaller or off-season weddings.

Securing a photographer early allows you time to discuss your vision and expectations during engagement shoots or pre-wedding meetings. Some photographers, including Stories Of I Do, offer engagement sessions to help couples feel more comfortable in front of the camera. This also builds rapport between the couple and the photographer, resulting in more natural and relaxed wedding day photos. If your wedding date is approaching and you haven’t booked a photographer yet, don’t worry—reach out to us at Stories Of I Do. We can check our availability and may even be able to accommodate last-minute requests.

Our Guide to Wedding Photography should have helped you understand when you should start your search your wedding photographer

Guide To Wedding Photography Madrid Aal Cachucho

8. What is the Best Budget-Friendly Camera for Wedding Photography?

For beginners or second shooters, we recommend:

  • Canon EOS RP – An affordable full-frame option. Full-frame cameras like this one provide superior image quality, especially in low-light settings, thanks to their larger sensors. This means better dynamic range, improved detail, and less noise compared to APS-C cameras. Full-frame sensors also help achieve more desirable background blur (bokeh) for portraits.
  • Nikon D7500 – Great for versatility. While it features an APS-C sensor, it offers excellent value and reliability. It’s ideal for second shooters or those needing a backup, but its smaller sensor may result in slightly less depth of field and low-light performance compared to full-frame models. It does, however, have fast autofocus and excellent build quality, making it a strong contender.
  • Sony Alpha A6400 – Compact but powerful. This APS-C option is perfect for portability and fast autofocus. However, when it comes to weddings where lighting varies, a full-frame camera generally excels in capturing richer, more detailed images. The A6400 is ideal for shooting candid moments or as a secondary camera.

When starting out, investing in the right lenses is just as important as the camera body. Lenses with wide apertures, such as a 50mm f/1.8 or 85mm f/1.4, are essential for capturing portraits with beautiful depth of field. At Stories Of I Do, we use top-tier equipment, ensuring the highest quality results for our clients.

Thank you for considering our Guide to Wedding Photography as part of your wedding planning.

Guide To Wedding Photography The Priests House

9. Do Wedding Photographers Give All Photos?

No—and for good reason. Not every shot taken is worthy of inclusion. A typical wedding results in thousands of photos, including test shots, duplicates, and outtakes. During the editing process, photographers carefully select the best images that meet their quality standards.

At Stories Of I Do, we go through each photo to handpick the highlights, ensuring that your gallery includes a well-rounded mix of emotional moments, portraits, and candid shots. Blurry, poorly lit, or repetitive photos are removed so that what you receive is polished and meaningful. This careful selection process ensures that your wedding album is filled with only the most memorable and beautiful images. Additionally, we take time during post-production to retouch key images, enhance colours, and make adjustments that bring out the best in every shot.

In our Guide to Wedding Photography, we promise personalised service that reflects your unique style.

Guide To Wedding Photography Registry Office

Thanks for reading our Guide to Wedding Photography - Why Choose Stories Of I Do?

We’re not just photographers—we’re storytellers. From the moment you contact us to the final delivery of your wedding album, we promise:

  • Personalised Service: Every couple is unique, and we tailor our approach to suit your style.
  • Unobtrusive Coverage: We blend into the background while capturing genuine moments.
  • Timeless Memories: Our images are designed to last a lifetime.

Ready to book or have more questions?
Let’s chat—your story deserves to be told. - Click Here to discuss your wedding photography

This Guide to Wedding Photography will hopefully have clarified common questions about photography.

Guide To Wedding Photography Barmbyfield Barns

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