Wedding photography is serious business… or at least it feels that way when you glimpse the price tags. Unfortunately, there’s more to it than someone showing up with a camera. Experience, timing, and even the number of guests can make that sticker price tick up. So before you faint at the price, let’s peek behind the curtain to see what you’re really paying for. 

Traditional Wedding Photographer Prices: Brace Yourself

The average wedding photographer will set you back about $ 2,900, but that number can hide a lot of surprises. Location, for instance, makes a bigger difference than most people realize. Our research found that the average cost can swing anywhere from $2,649 to $3,574, depending on where you say ‘I do.’ Couples tying the knot in the sunny Southwest tended to pay the least, while lovebirds in the Mid-Atlantic were footing the heftiest bills. And that’s just the start; factors like experience, package inclusions, and even the day of the week can quietly nudge that total higher. But don’t just take our word for it. To give you the full picture, here’s a regional breakdown of what wedding photography might cost across the US:  

• West Coast: $2,500 – $4,000
• Northwest: $1,200 – $4,500
• Southwest: $1,000 – $4,300
• Midwest: $1,800 – $4,000
• Northeast: $1,800 – $5,000
• Southeast: $1,000 – $4,200

And if your wedding is happening in a big city, get ready: the prices can creep higher than a rooftop skyline. Urban areas tend to charge a premium, so you might be shelling out a little extra just for the zip code. Here’s what couples are paying in some major metros.

• New York: $1,800 – $5,000
• Chicago: $1,300 – $4,900
• Miami: $900 – $4,500
• Washington, D.C.: $1,300 – $5,000
• Dallas: $1,000 – $4,300
• Los Angeles: $1,500 – $5,000
• Seattle: $1,200 – $4,500

Factors That Can Make Your Photography Bill Balloon

Experienced photographers might cost more, too. Their knowledge does matter, but it won’t magically fix a stressful day or guarantee that Uncle Larry won’t block the shot. You’re paying for skill, and sometimes for confidence that might make you feel better than the photos themselves.

Duration is one of those “duh” factors: more time behind the camera equals a bigger bill. If you want someone there until the cake is demolished and the dance floor is empty, get ready to pay for every extra hour.

And guess what? The guest count will also put the squeeze on your wallet. Photographer prices ranged from $1,850 for intimate ceremonies of 1–50 guests and up to $3,364 for bigger shindigs with 101 or more people. Basically, the more people you invite, the more snaps you’re paying for.

Wedding Photo Savings Hacks

Worried about wedding photography costs sneaking up on you like a rogue uncle with a selfie stick? Don’t panic. There are smart, simple ways to keep your photos stunning without emptying your wall. Here’s how to hack the price without missing the moments that matter:

Cut the Hours, Keep the Memories

Skip the “getting ready” shots or the post-ceremony send-off photos and hire your photographer just for the ceremony and early reception. You still get the key moments, and your wallet gets a break.

Pick a Friendlier Locale

Location matters. Literally. Choosing a wedding spot where the cost of living is lower can help you save across the board, from flowers to photographers

Give a Newbie a Shot

Just because someone’s new to the scene doesn’t mean they can’t deliver top-tier work. A skilled newcomer might bring fresh ideas and a creative approach that’s perfect for your day. Plus, they could save you a considerable amount without compromising quality. It’s worth considering.

Ooooorrrr… You Could… 

Or, you could skip the traditional wedding day hassle and go with an elopement coordinated by Simply Eloped. We don’t just show up and snap a few pics. We handle the whole shebang: ceremony, officiant, photography, and even that perfect location. Oh, and adventure elopements… we have those too. No overpriced elopement photography packages or hidden fees, just an easy, straightforward experience where you get exactly what you want. Why complicate things?

What Simply Eloped Offers

Did your wallet just wince reading the traditional photographer prices? Relax, Simply Eloped is here. Our packages start at $900, far below the national average. And we’ve photographed over 14,000 elopements, so we know a thing or two about capturing moments that matter. Our photographers deliver that, shot by shot, without making your bank account cry.

How We Make Your Day Picture-Perfect

Think of our photographers as storytellers with cameras. They’ll collaborate with you from start to finish to make sure your photos feel like you. Here’s how they make that happen:

The Little Things That Matter Most

Your ceremony and the moments around it are full of meaning. Our photographers capture them all, emphasizing natural interactions that show the genuine connection between you and your loved ones.

Keep Calm and Say Cheese

Our photographers focus on creating a relaxed, natural vibe. You can enjoy the moment, be yourselves, and trust them to get the best shots without any pressure.

Shots That Speak Your Language

Got a particular look or vibe in mind? Our photographers are ready to tailor the session so your photos match your style and vision.

Wide, Close, and Everything In Between

From sweeping landscapes to close-up portraits, our photographers capture it all. You’ll get a mix of posed, candid, and in-between shots, giving you a complete collection of your day.

Professional Photos Made Simple

After your elopement, your photographer will carefully edit your images and deliver a gallery of high-resolution photos. Each image is crafted to highlight the real moments, emotions, and details that make your special day.

We Bring the Eye for Epic Images

Wherever you elope, our photographers excel at finding the spots that bring your vision to life. Using natural light and your surroundings, they create stunning, memorable images.

The Schedule That Gets the Shots

Our photographers work alongside your Elopement Specialist. to build a timeline that covers everything. Pre-ceremony portraits, group shots, and couple photos all get the attention they deserve, stress-free.

Your Simply Eloped Photography Questions, Answered

We hear a lot of great questions about how photography works at Simply Eloped. So, we pulled together the ones that come up most and answered them all right here.

Can I share photography inspiration ahead of time?

Most definitely. Send us your elopement photography ideas ahead of time, and we’ll make sure your photographer knows exactly what you’re hoping for. From favorite angles to must-have moments, they’ll do their best to bring your vision to life.

Do the photographers do heavy editing or remove objects from photos?

Our photographers keep things real. They don’t remove objects or do heavy edits like changing backgrounds or retouching skin. The goal is to deliver natural, beautiful images that capture your day just as it happened.

Can we bring our own photographer?

We’re a big fan of our Simply Eloped photographers, but if you already have someone in mind, that’s totally fine. Just give us a heads-up, and we’ll adjust your package to fit.

Can we receive unedited photos?

We keep things simple: no raw files, just a collection of stunning, edited, high-resolution photos that show your day at its best.

The Lowdown On Our Photography Packages

Most of our packages come with one hour of photography, while the Oasis package starts at two hours, and the Wildflower (adventure elopement) begins at four hours. With the Sprout, Bloom, or Simply Photograph packages, you’ll get a minimum of 75 edited photos within 15 days, and they’re all yours to print, share, and download for free.

Want some extra time? We got you. Each added hour gives you 50 more edited photos, and each half hour gives you 25. It’s perfect for couples who want shots in more than one spot or need to account for travel. Just note that travel counts toward your total time, and every extra hour adds roughly a week to delivery.

So there you have it. Traditional wedding photography can feel like a rollercoaster for your wallet, with experience, hours, and guest count all conspiring to inflate the bill. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Simply Eloped gives you professional, thoughtful photography without the jaw-dropping price tag, and with over 14,000 elopements under our belt, we know how to capture what matters.

From candid moments to sweeping landscapes, our photographers focus on your love story, not overcomplicated setups or unnecessary stuff. They’ll work with your vision, your timeline, and your vibe to make sure every shot feels authentic. At the end of the day, you get a gallery full of high-quality, natural photos that let you relive your elopement again and again.

Because here’s the thing: your photos should capture the magic, not the stress. With Simply Eloped, you can have the memories, the moments, and the images that make your day unforgettable—all while keeping your budget in check.

Ready to plan your elopement? So are we. Reach out, and let’s start turning your elopement day vision into an unforgettable one.

 

CITATION

Johnson, Chapelle. “Every Couple Should Know the Average Wedding Photographer Cost.” The Knot, 24 Mar. 2025, www.theknot.com/content/average-cost-wedding-photographer. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

White, Janessa. “How Much Does Elopement Photography Cost?” Simply Eloped, 28 May 2024, simplyeloped.com/blog/how-much-does-elopement-photography-cost/. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

White, Janessa. “Find Your Elopement Photographer with Simply Eloped.” Simply Eloped, 4 Apr. 2025, simplyeloped.com/blog/how-much-does-elopement-photography-cost/. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

White, Janessa. “How Much Should Wedding Photos Cost?” Simply Eloped, 7 May 2024, simplyeloped.com/blog/how-much-should-wedding-photos-cost/. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.