How much should you spend on wedding photography?

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I'm on a budget!

How much do you actually need for the wedding?

You should figure out how much you need to spend to get what you want. The average national wedding budget is $25,000 and 30-50% of couples are paying for the wedding themselves. These numbers do not include the cost for a honeymoon or engagement ring. Understanding these statistics will help you with your wedding budget when it comes time to book vendors.

Here is a breakdown of what you can expect to pay:

Reception: 48%

Ceremony: 3%

Attire: 10%

Flowers: 8%

Entertainment/Music: 8%

Photography: 12%

Stationery: 3%

Wedding Rings: 3%

Parking/Transportation: 2%

Gifts: 3%

Miscellaneous: 3%

Now let's take a look at the percent you should be spending on photography in relation to the overall budget.

$15,000 wedding budget - $1,800 photography budget

$20,000 wedding budget - $2,400 photography budget

$25,000 wedding budget - $3,000 photography budget

$30,000 wedding budget - $3,600 photography budget

$35,000 wedding budget -  $4,200 photography budget

$40,000 wedding budget - $4,800 photography budget

How much should you spend on wedding photography?

When determining your wedding photography budget, keep in mind that you get what you pay for. You should expect to spend at least $2,000 on having a professional wedding photographer document your wedding (not including prints, albums, and other extras). The rates and packages will vary depending on the skill level and experience of the photographer. In comparing photography costs, remember that different photographers offer different packages. Some rates only include the photographer's time meaning prints and albums are extra. Keep in mind that you get to keep only three things after the wedding: your dress, your ring, and your wedding pictures. Everyone is on a budget but think of how much you are spending in the other areas on your wedding: Food, Flowers, Decor, Rentals, Stationery, Favors, Band
How many of those things do you get to keep after the wedding? Your children, grand children, and great grand children are going to ask to see your wedding pictures and they will cherish them for decades.