How much should a wedding photographer charge?
What UK wedding photographers charge in 2026 for full-day coverage, how regional pricing differs, and how to build packages that don't reduce you to an hourly rate.
Quick answer
UK wedding photography averages roughly £1,400–£1,800 for full-day coverage in 2026, with Bridebook data putting the average near £1,484 and some industry reporting a £1,800–£2,800 band. Most established photographers sit between £1,200 and £2,000 for eight or more hours. London and the South East typically run 15–25% above the national average.
UK wedding photography prices, 2026
| Stage | Full-day package |
|---|---|
| Building a portfolio | £600–£1,000 |
| Established | £1,200–£2,000 |
| UK average | ~£1,400–£1,800 |
| London & South East | +15–25% on national |
| Premium / in demand | £2,500–£5,000+ |
Step-by-step
- 1
Price the full day, because that's what couples book
Most couples book eight to ten hours, typically preparations through to the first dance. Build your core package around that rather than an hourly rate — hourly pricing invites couples to trim your coverage to save money, which produces a worse gallery and a worse referral.
- 2
Know where you sit against the average
The UK average is roughly £1,400–£1,800 for full-day coverage. If you're established, delivering well and consistently booking below £1,200, you're underpriced. Photographers building a portfolio reasonably start at £600–£1,000, but that's a stage, not a permanent position.
- 3
Include what everyone expects, and charge for what they don't
Professionally edited images in a private online gallery with printing rights is the baseline expectation. Albums, second shooters, engagement shoots and video are add-ons and should be priced as such. Bundling everything into one number makes you look expensive against photographers who don't.
- 4
Adjust for your region deliberately
London and the South East run 15–25% above the national average, and often £200–£500 higher in absolute terms. If you're in a lower-cost region, that doesn't mean racing to the bottom — it means your competitive set is local, so benchmark against photographers couples are actually comparing you to.
- 5
Publish a from-price
Couples build a shortlist by budget before enquiring. A clear 'from £X' with what's included saves you enquiries that would never convert and puts you in front of the right comparisons. Hiding prices in this category loses more bookings than it protects.
Tips & best practices
- ▸Raise prices between seasons, not mid-season — it's cleaner and less disruptive to enquiries in flight.
- ▸Editing time is the invisible cost couples never see; price for it or it eats your margin.
- ▸Albums are the highest-margin add-on most photographers underuse.
- ▸Turn away the wrong bookings early — a discounted wedding costs the same hours as a full-price one.
Common questions
How much do wedding photographers charge in the UK?
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Roughly £1,400–£1,800 on average for full-day coverage in 2026. Bridebook's data puts the average near £1,484, while some industry reporting shows a higher £1,800–£2,800 band. Most established photographers charge between £1,200 and £2,000 for eight or more hours.
How much should a new wedding photographer charge?
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£600–£1,000 for a full day is a reasonable starting point while building a portfolio. Move toward the national average as your gallery, reviews and confidence build. Staying at portfolio prices for years is the most common way photographers get stuck.
How many hours should a wedding package cover?
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Eight to ten hours is what most couples book — typically preparations through to the first dance. Build your standard package around that and offer shorter coverage as a reduced option rather than making hourly your default.
Should I show my prices on my website?
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Yes, at least a from-price. Couples shortlist on budget before they make contact, so hiding prices removes you from consideration rather than creating an opportunity to persuade. A clear starting figure with what's included attracts better-matched enquiries.