Regardless of where you stand on things like wedding cake (maybe it’s too sweet for you) or peony bouquets (perhaps they’re not your style), most to-be-weds can agree that gorgeous wedding photos are a must.
Of course, how you divvy up your wedding budget depends on what vendors—and aspects of your celebration—are most important to you. You certainly don’t have to splurge on a photographer—and The Knot’s marketplace has plenty of amazing pros for every budget—but it’s one expense that many couples typically don’t mind paying more for, mostly due to the fact that you’ll be reaping the benefits of a fabulous photographer for years to come.
That said, you’re probably curious what the ballpark figure is and how yours stacks up—and we’ve got you covered. According to our 2017 Real Weddings Study, the national average cost of a wedding photographer is $2,630.
Although $2,630 may seem like a hefty price tag, remember this is an average that’ll vary widely based on several factors, including where, when and how you tie the knot. If you’re booking a shooter in a densely populated metropolitan area during peak wedding season, you can expect to pay up to a few thousand dollars more. For instance, couples pay an average of $4,620 for a wedding photographer in New York City and $3,166 for one in Los Angeles—whereas a pro in West Virginia ($1,974), New Mexico ($1,768) or Utah ($1,722) will cost significantly less than the national average. Long story short, do your vendor research and budget accordingly.
Although a professional photographer is likely not the most expensive wedding vendor you’ll pay for—our study finds reception venues, followed by catering, steals that title—it’s definitely not cheap. But consider the fact that your wedding photos are something you’ll get to have, hold and cherish forever—and that’s pretty priceless.
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