How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost in London? (2025 Guide)

If you’ve started Googling “how much does a wedding photographer cost in London?” you’ve probably found everything from £400 to £5,000+. Helpful 😅. This guide cuts through the noise with current UK averages, a realistic London price range, and a breakdown of what typically is and isn’t included—so you can compare like-for-like and book with confidence.

The quick answer - How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost in London?

• UK average spend on wedding photography (2024 weddings): ~£1,500. That’s the national figure reported by Hitched’s National Wedding Survey. 

• Typical “average” range quoted by major UK sources: ~£1,400–£1,600. (Expect London to sit above this.) 

• London tends to be higher: credible round-ups and market guides put London full-day packages around ~£1,800–£2,100 on average, with broader real-world ranges of ~£1,000–£4,000+ depending on style, experience and inclusions. 

Bottom line for London (2025):

• Micro/short coverage: ~£500–£1,200

• Half-day (4–6 hrs): ~£1,000–£1,700

• Full day (8–10 hrs): ~£1,800–£3,000 typical, £3,000–£5,000+ for sought-after or fashion/fine-art specialists (anchored to the London averages above)

Why London costs more

Big-city demand, premium venues, higher operating costs, and a concentration of highly specialised photographers (editorial, fashion-inspired, film-led, hybrid) push prices up relative to the UK average. Several industry round-ups call out London and the South East as the priciest regions for photo coverage. 

What actually drives the price?

Think of a photographer’s fee as a sum of coverage + craft + care:

1. Hours of coverage

   Short (2–3 hrs), half-day (4–6 hrs), full day (8–10+ hrs). More hours = more prep, shooting and editing time.

2. Experience & reputation

   Photographers with distinctive style, strong editorial presence or high demand rightly command more. National averages (~£1.4k–£1.6k) climb towards £2k–£5k+ at the top end in London. 

3. Style (documentary, editorial/fashion, fine-art, film)

   Style isn’t cosmetic—it affects workflow, gear, lighting, assistants, and edit time. This is why two “full-day” quotes can differ by thousands.

4. Deliverables & add-ons

   Albums, second photographer, drone, engagement shoots, express edits, prints, RAWs/licensing—all shift the price (see the checklist below).

5. Season, day and logistics

   Peak-season Saturdays in central London will price differently to winter weekdays or local registry-office elopements. Travel/parking can also factor in. London averages and ranges reflect this spread. 

What’s usually included in a London full-day package?

This varies, but you’ll commonly see:

• 8–10 hours coverage (prep → first dance)

• Curated, edited images (often 400–800+) delivered via online gallery with download rights for personal use

• Print-ready & web-ready files

• Private online gallery with unlimited downloads (check if guests can download too)

• Basic travel within Greater London

National guidance places the UK “average” package around the £1.5k mark, but London providers often sit higher—~£1.8k–£2.1k—before extras. 

What can add to the fee?

Use this to compare proposals like-for-like:

• Short or micro coverage (1–3 hours) for town-hall/elopements

• Second photographer (great for bigger guest lists, both prep locations, or more candid coverage)

• Engagement / pre-wedding session (confidence builder + saves time on the day)

• Albums & printed work (heirloom books, parent copies, fine-art prints)

• Drone coverage (requires permissions, weather and venue sign-off; some photographers include it in top packages)

• Hybrid photo + film or super-fast preview/express turnaround

• Travel beyond London, permit fees, overtime

• VAT (ask whether prices are inclusive)

Guides for Brides note that UK package prices vary hugely—from £350 to £6,500—because inclusions and ambitions differ so much. London sits toward the upper end for full-day editorial or fine-art work. 

So… what do couples actually spend?

• Photographer spend (UK 2024): ~£1,500 average. 

• Broader “average” guidance: £1,400–£1,600. 

• London “typical” full-day: often ~£1,900–£2,100; wider £1,000–£4,000+ band depending on level/brand and what’s included. 

• For context, overall UK wedding budgets currently sit around £20–23k depending on survey year and what’s included (ring/honeymoon etc.). Photography is a relatively small percentage of that total, but one of the few things that last beyond the day. 

How to compare quotes (without going cross-eyed)

1. Match the hours (2 hrs vs 10 hrs is not comparable).

2. Check editing & delivery: approx. number of final images, gallery access length, unlimited downloads, and personal-use licence.

3. Look for backup & insurance: dual-slot cameras, data workflows, public liability/indemnity.

4. Ask about team: solo vs second photographer.

5. Confirm extras: albums, drone, engagement session, travel, VAT, express previews.

6. Scrutinise style & consistency: full galleries matter more than Instagram highlights—does their style match how you want your day to feel?

7. Turnaround time: previews vs full gallery delivery.

FAQ

Is a second photographer worth it in London?

For multi-location days, large guest lists, or when both prep locations matter, yes. It increases candid coverage while the lead focuses on couple/family moments.

Do we need an album?

If legacy matters, consider allocating budget here. It’s not just pages; it’s design time, archival papers and inks, and lifetime re-ordering options.

Is drone coverage included?

Sometimes in top-tier packages. In London, it needs permissions, airspace awareness, and venue approval, so it’s often an add-on.

Can we save money?

Choose weekday or off-season, reduce hours, or opt for short coverage if you’re doing a London registry wedding + drinks. Many photographers offer a dedicated micro-wedding rate. Regional and national guides note off-peak/weekday discounts can apply. 

A sensible budgeting approach

1. Pick the style first (documentary, fashion/editorial, fine-art, film) - style is a major price driver.

2. Ring-fence a realistic London budget:

   • Micro: £500–£1,200

   • Half-day: £1,000–£1,700

   • Full day: £1,800–£3,000 typical (and upwards for in-demand names) 

   
   

3. Decide on must-have inclusions (second shooter, album, engagement session, drone).

4. Compare like-for-like and read full galleries.

Sources

• Hitched National Wedding Survey — £1,500 UK average photographer spend for 2024 weddings. 

• Bridebook pricing guide — typical £1,400–£1,600 “average” UK range. 

• Guides for Brides — real-world package spread £350–£6,500 depending on inclusions/level. 

• London weighting — guides and market round-ups place London full-day around £1,900–£2,100 on average; broader £1,000–£4,000+ range. 

• Overall UK wedding budgets (context): ~£20k–£23k depending on methodology/year.