Planning a wedding in Australia and wondering what everything actually costs? You’re not alone. While Instagram shows us the dreamy details and Pinterest serves up endless inspiration, the real numbers behind Australian weddings often feel shrouded in mystery. That’s why we’re launching our Australian wedding budget series – to pull back the curtains and dive deep into what you can expect for your wedding in 2025.

In this series, we’ll break down every major wedding expense, share insights from industry experts, and help you understand where your money goes. From venues to flowers, from celebrants to cake – we’re covering it all. Let’s dive straight into one of your biggest – and longest-lasting – investments: what does wedding photography really cost in Australia?

We’ll share insight from expert photographers Jack Chauvel Photography (Newcastle and Hunter Valley), Brett Scapin Photography (Melbourne), Kathy Rothwell of K3 Photography (Newcastle and Hunter Valley), David Stowe of Society Photography (Sydney), and Katrina Lopete of Katfoto (Melbourne).

Before we break down how much to spend on wedding photography, let’s talk about setting realistic expectations. While a wedding is an important milestone, our professional photographers emphasise that it shouldn’t lead to unmanageable debt.

Research and get estimates before setting an arbitrary budget. Start by writing down your photography priorities. Are you looking for family heirlooms or simply a record of the day? What style speaks to you? Are albums and prints a must-have or are digital files enough for now? Do you want to capture the whole day or just key ceremony moments? This way you can adjust expenditure for photography within your overall wedding budget; keeping in mind these photos will likely be how you remember your celebration for decades to come.

Photos used throughout this article are of Declan & Rory’s Jewel Toned Wedding at Tocal Homestead captured by Jack Chauvel Photography 

Why does wedding photography cost so much?

One of our photographers explains, “Photography pricing is mostly affected by the photographer, what they offer, where they service and how much work they take on. There is no one size fits all.”

However, experience and expertise significantly influence rates. Another photographer shares that with experience comes technical knowledge across all aspects of wedding photography, “you need to be great with all aspects – candids, formal, groups, landscapes, detail shots, adults, children, animals, party shots, low light, harsh light, flash photography and you need to anticipate moments and be ready to shoot quickly.”

Location and timing can affect pricing too. A photographer tells, that for example, a photographer from Far North Queensland might consider that during the ‘dry’ season, “the high demand means they are not likely going to have a cheaper rate for photography. In the ‘off’ season, however, they might have a rate that attracts people wanting to get married in a less popular season.” Though not all photographers will use dynamic pricing, adds another photographer. “Honestly, they probably shouldn’t [have fluctuating rates]! It doesn’t actually cost less to deliver a service in winter vs. spring!”

Many photographers offer weekday wedding discounts or special rates when working with specific venues. Your location might also affect costs. Local travel is often included, but destination weddings requiring significant travel and/or accommodation will incur additional fees. Finally, your choice of finished products, from digital-only packages to albums and prints, will influence your budget.

The hidden costs and true value of great wedding photography

While it might seem like “a lot of money for one day,” your photographer is actually dedicating months (sometimes years!) to capturing magical memories. They typically spend over 40 hours on a basic wedding. Add another 5-10 hours for album design, plus an extra 5-10 if you’ve booked an engagement session!

Equipment and Insurance

 Professional wedding photographers invest heavily in equipment to ensure your day is captured perfectly. “At a bare minimum, a photographer should have two cameras with them at every job,” one photographer explained to us. “That way, if one has an issue, they have another one they can use. I personally have four (two I shoot with all day, two as backups).” Beyond cameras, there’s a small fortune spent in accessories: multiple batteries, memory cards, professional flashes, high-end lenses (which can cost thousands each!), and specialized lighting equipment. As another photographer points out, public liability insurance is also essential – protecting both their gear and your venue.

Behind-the-Scenes Costs

What you don’t see is just as important as what you do! Running a professional photography business requires significant investment in technology and infrastructure. We’re talking powerful computers to handle those massive photo files, professional software subscriptions, and ultra-secure backup systems (because your precious memories deserve Fort Knox-level protection!). Add in essentials like studio space, website maintenance, and marketing – all working seamlessly in the background to deliver your perfect photos.

The Time Investment

“General ‘admin’ time adds up to a LOT!” notes one of our photographers. For every inquiry, photographers spend 1-2 hours preparing materials, having consultations, and following up – even though not every couple will book them. “Sometimes couples meet with 10 or more photographers. Each of those photographers is taking 1-2 hours of time (or more) to reply to emails, set a meeting time, join or attend a meeting, prepare materials for the meeting etc.”

And what about after the big day? The photographer reveals, “A lot of photographers like me might spend many hours doing image selections, curating the story, and then editing. Others will do a simpler edit but have a faster turnaround time/delivery point to suit.” Another photographer puts it beautifully: “Working for myself means there’s no limit on this. It’s done when I’m happy that it’s done to my high standards, and if that takes more time, so be it.”

Here’s what your photographer is actually putting time into:

  • Getting to know you through pre-wedding meetings and planning (including coordinating with other vendors when needed)
  • Crafting your perfect timeline
  • Double-checking all their gear (because there are no do-overs!)
  • Travel and shooting time
  • Scouting your locations for the best photo spots
  • Safely backing up thousands of precious images
  • Carefully selecting and editing your photos
  • Creating your beautiful online gallery
  • Designing your album (which can take many hours)
  • Admin and business management
  • Honing their craft and keeping up to date with trends

What’s included in a wedding photography package?

Every photography package should include two basic elements: amazing coverage of your big day and professionally edited photos. Everything beyond that is sprinkles on top of the cake.

Most photographers will provide a comprehensive service – we’re talking pre-wedding chats to plan out your dream shots, typically 8-10 hours  of photography on the day, professional editing, and an online gallery for sharing with loved ones. However, every photographer approaches the deliverables differently. Some focus on no-frills digital image delivery only, while others include tangible items like USB drives, keepsake boxes, or fine art prints.

Our photographers caution against being swayed by packages that seem too good to be true. “What is important is not to get sucked into getting a ‘bundle’ of things you don’t need. For example; quality prints, framed prints and canvas prints are not cheap. Likewise, wedding albums of decent quality are not cheap. If you are getting these included in an already cheap price; there is a good chance they are of lower quality and simply there as ‘gravy’ to entice you to book,” explains one photographer.

So, what does wedding photography cost in Australia?

In Australia, hiring a professional wedding photographer typically costs between $3,500 to $10,000. Most couples spend $4,000 to $8,000 for full-day’s coverage (8-10 hours) with an experienced, mid-range photographer.

But the price you pay accounts for more than just the wedding day itself. A photographer breaks it down: “Pricing comes down to experience + time spent working on each wedding + material costs of print products.” This includes pre-wedding consultations, timeline and logistics planning, and significant post-production work.

Most photographers require a deposit of 30-50% to secure your date, with payment structures varying for the remaining balance. Some request full payment before the wedding day, while others arrange payment plans or final payment upon image delivery. For additional products like albums or prints, payment is typically required upon ordering or collection.

What additional costs are there for wedding photography?

We’ve talked basics, but the extras are where it can really make a difference to your budget. Our photographers share, “Everything has a cost, so even if something’s labeled as ‘free’ or ‘included’, you might be paying for it somewhere in the package price.”

Your best move? Have an open chat with your photographer about what’s included, and get clear on any extras in writing. For instance, can you extend coverage on the spot if your party’s too good to end (and what’ll that cost), what does it cost to add extra album pages, and do you need a second shooter.

Must-Haves: The Essential Costs

These are the non-negotiable elements for capturing your day properly. One of our photographers explains, “This may be due to your event being big in numbers (200+ people) with lots of action to be captured, big in concurrent events (you and your partner are both getting ready at your parent’s houses and require photography at the same time), or even distance on the day of the event.” His practical tip: “If you don’t know all this info when booking your photographer, simply make sure they have the options available if you need them.”

Nice-to-Haves: The Cherry on Top

Optional extras – whether within a package or at an additional cost – you might choose include:

  • Extra coverage hours (because sometimes you’re having too much fun)
  • Travel and accommodation for destination weddings (though some photographers might waive this if they’re already planning to be in your area)
  • A second shooter (especially handy if you’ve got a guest list over 150 or if you’re getting ready in different locations)
  • Pre-wedding shoots (perfect for getting comfortable in front of the camera or including your fur babies or actual babies who can’t make it to the wedding)
  • Additional event coverage (for those that want welcome dinners and recovery BBQs covered, or when culture and customs lead to multi-day celebrations).
  • Prints and albums (heads up: many couples end up spending $1,300-$5,000 just on extra album pages because they love their photos so much!)
  • Film photography (as an added service and then the cost of the film itself)
  • Drone photography (for a birds-eye view of your wedding day)
  • High-resolution images (some packages may only include web-resolution quality)
  • Additional edits (if you want further edits beyond the photographer’s standard, these may come at an additional cost)
  • Sneak peeks (quick edits within days of the wedding)
  • Digital slideshows (some photographers may create slideshows to music of a selection of images from your wedding)
  • Raw files (though rarely available)

Good news – these extras can often be flexible!

One photographer notes, for example, “Many photographers allow clients to purchase a fine art printed wedding album at any time before or after the wedding” so you can save on upfront costs and decide later. But bear in mind that some do offer pre-wedding discounts: “If my clients book a collection with an included album before the wedding it has a discount applied…If a client opts to get an album after the wedding (I recently did one from a wedding that was 10 years ago), I simply give them my current album pricing.”

Look for creative solutions! Our photographer continues, “If I have clients getting ready in two locations far apart, we discuss options. Instead of paying for a second photographer all day, they might add 1-2 hours of coverage so I can capture both. It works out cheaper for them and I still capture the entire day myself.”

A word of caution from another photographer:  “Going for the cheapest option upfront might leave you with fewer options later. While you can always save up for albums after the wedding, you can’t go back in time to capture more moments!”

How to get great wedding photography on a tight budget.

If you’re looking at these numbers and feeling a bit overwhelmed, don’t worry! Our photographer friends have shared some brilliant ways to make professional photography work within your means.

The biggest secret? Timing and flexibility are your best friends! Consider a cozy winter wedding or a romantic weekday celebration. One photographer shares, “A couple may pick a prime Saturday in October and then try to get discounts…even though vendors are busy and less flexible.” Instead, look at weekdays or quieter times when you might naturally score a better rate – we’re talking potential savings of 10-20% for weekday weddings and 5-15% for winter celebrations.

Your coverage choices can make a huge difference too. “If you still need to budget from there, look at what you REALLY need covered with photography,” a photographer advises. Many couples are getting creative – skipping the traditional full-day coverage and focusing on what truly matters to them. Maybe you’re happy to skip those getting-ready shots, or perhaps you’d rather focus your budget on ceremony and key reception moments. Our photographer points out, “Increasingly couples are less interested in having a lot of prep/getting ready photos (and some opt to have none). You can then perhaps pick to have slightly less hours of photography coverage.”

Here’s something really important that we learned from our conversations with photographers: don’t let advertised prices stop you from reaching out to someone whose work makes your heart skip a beat! “First of all, there are brilliant creative shooters at all price points,” one photographer shares. “Think hard about what is important to you, consider opting for shorter coverage or digital-only delivery. And get in touch with the photographers you love! We’re real people too (believe it!) and we love working with honest, lovely, down-to-earth couples that care about good photos.”

Remember, flexibility is your secret weapon. As our photographers explains, “Everyone in the industry is running a business. We support our families with the wonderful bookings we get each year… Flexibility is the most important aspect of being able to work to a tighter budget. Being able to communicate with vendors with a flexible date/schedule can help them guide you to working to your budget without missing out on working with you.”

Final words of wisdom when it comes to wedding photography and budget?

Some golden advice from our photographer friends! While having a budget makes total sense, one photographer reminds us, “Whilst there is nothing wrong with setting a budget, an arbitrary number can really limit your options. At the end of the day, the visual media you choose for your celebration is the only takeaway you will have for the years to come…These are the things you will be able to look at, watch, laugh with, cry with and enjoy with your family, friends and even your own family as you grow old.”

Finding your perfect photography match is absolutely crucial. Another photographer shares, “If you don’t like a photographer’s style, it doesn’t matter how cheap they are – it’s still a waste of money. Budget is important, but of greater importance is having a photographer you trust. This will ensure you have an awesome wedding day experience and capture amazing images that you love!”

While you don’t need to empty your savings account to get beautiful photos, you do need to take the time to understand the costs involved, chat with photographers and invest enough to work with someone who’s genuinely passionate about telling your story. The key? Be upfront about what you’re working with, what you absolutely can’t compromise on, and where you can be flexible. Then reach out to photographers whose work makes your heart skip a beat. As one of our photographers so beautifully put it, “Be clear on your expectations, limits, and absolute must-haves, then find the photographers you love and start talking. You’ll find a creative, thoughtful, generous photographer that will fit with your budget and deliver great photos.”

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible contributing photographers who shared their wisdom and insights: Jack Chauvel of Jack Chauvel Photography, Brett Scapin of Brett Scapin Photography, Kathy Rothwell of K3 Photography, David Stowe of Society Photography, and Katrina Lopete of Katfoto.