Wedding Photoshoot Packages in the UK: What's Included, How Much They Cost, and How to Pick the Right One

If you're looking at wedding photoshoot packages and wondering why there's such a massive difference in price, you're not alone. One photographer charges £600, another charges £3,000 for what looks like the same thing. This guide breaks down exactly what you get in each type of package, what the typical UK prices look like in 2024 and 2025, and what to watch out for before you book.

What Is a Wedding Photoshoot Package?

A wedding photoshoot package is a fixed or flexible set of services from a photographer or videographer covering some or all of your wedding day. Most packages are built around the number of hours covered, the number of photographers present, and what you receive at the end edited digital images, an album, a USB drive, a highlights video, or a combination of these.

Some photographers offer completely rigid packages. Others let you build your own from a set of options. Either way, the package is essentially a contract that says: you get this coverage, these deliverables, for this price.

What's Usually Included in a Wedding Photography Package

The exact contents vary between photographers, but most UK wedding photography packages include some or all of the following:

• A set number of hours of coverage on the wedding day

• One photographer (second photographer is usually an add-on or included in higher tiers)

• Fully edited, high-resolution digital images delivered via an online gallery

• The right to print and share your images (printing rights)

• A pre-wedding consultation or planning call

• Travel within a defined radius (often 25–50 miles)

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Things that often cost extra:

• A second photographer

• An engagement or pre-wedding shoot

• A printed wedding album

• A USB drive with images

• Video or highlights reel

• Travel beyond the photographer's local area

• Weekend surcharges (some photographers charge more for Saturdays)

• Peak season surcharges (April–September)

Always read the small print. Two packages that both say "full day coverage" can deliver very different things once you look at what each one actually includes.

Types of Wedding Photography Packages

Micro Wedding Package (2–3 Hours)

Designed for registry office weddings, elopements, and very small ceremonies. Coverage typically starts at the ceremony venue and ends after group photos and a short couple shoot. You'll usually receive 80–150 edited images. This is the most affordable option and suits couples who are keeping things minimal.

Half Day Package (4–6 Hours)

Covers the ceremony, family group photos, the couple portrait session, and part of the reception. A good fit for medium-sized weddings where the day is structured tightly. You can typically expect 250–400 edited images from a 6-hour package.

Full Day Package (8–12 Hours)

The most popular option in the UK. Covers everything from bridal or groom preparation through to the first dance or speeches in the evening. A 10-hour full day package usually delivers 500–900 edited images, depending on the photographer. This is the standard for most traditional weddings.

Multi-Day or Weekend Package

Less common, but some photographers offer coverage across two or more days useful for weddings with a separate Mehndi night, Walima, or a civil ceremony followed by a religious ceremony. Pricing is negotiated directly with the photographer.

Destination Wedding Package

Includes the photographer's travel and accommodation in addition to the coverage hours. Pricing varies widely based on destination, duration, and whether additional shoots are included at different locations.

Wedding Photography Package Prices in the UK (2025–2026)

According to a 2024 survey of 82 UK wedding photographers, the average price for the most popular wedding photography package is around £2,130. However, this average masks a wide range budget-end packages start well below £1,000, while premium photographers charge £3,500 or more.

Here's a rough breakdown of what you'll pay at different price points:

Package Type	Coverage Hours	Typical UK Price Range	What to Expect
Micro / Registry Office	2–3 hours	£260–£450	Ceremony only, 80–150 edited images
Half Day	4–6 hours	£420–£900	Ceremony + reception start, 250–400 images
Full Day	8–10 hours	£820–£1,800	Prep to first dance, 500–900 images
Premium Full Day	10–12 hours	£1,500–£2,500	Two photographers, album included, priority editing

Prices also vary by location. London and the South East tend to cost more than the Midlands or North of England. Weekend Saturdays in peak season (April–September) are typically the most expensive dates to book.

If you want photography by the hour rather than a fixed package, some photographers charge hourly rates. At HOBS FILMS, for example, wedding photography is available from £260 one of the most competitive rates in London and across the UK with fixed packages.

Photo and Video Combo Packages

Many couples book their photographer and videographer separately and end up paying more as a result. Combo packages that include both photography and videography from the same company are often better value and make coordination on the day much easier.

What a combined photo and video package usually includes:

• A photographer and a separate videographer (or one person handling both with a second operator)

• Edited photos delivered via an online gallery

• A wedding highlights film (typically 3–8 minutes)

• Full ceremony and speeches footage

• Optional: drone footage, same-day edit, social media teaser reel

Typical price range for photo and video combos in the UK:

Package	Hours	Combined Price Range
Short / Ceremony Only	2–4 hours	£450–£900
Half Day	4–6 hours	£800–£1,500
Full Day	8–10 hours	£1,200–£2,500
Full Day Premium	10+ hours	£2,500–£4,000+

At HOBS FILMS, combined photo and video packages start from £450 for a short ceremony package and go up to £1,450 for a full 10-hour day with no hidden travel charges across the UK and no weekend surcharge.

Pre-Wedding Photoshoot Packages

A pre-wedding photoshoot (also called an engagement shoot) is a separate session before the wedding day. Most photographers offer these as an add-on to their main package, or as a standalone booking.

Why couples book a pre-wedding shoot:

• To get comfortable in front of the camera before the wedding day

• To build a relationship with the photographer

• To get photos for save-the-dates, invitations, or social media

• For overseas couples who want to capture London or other UK locations before the wedding

Pre-wedding shoots typically last 1–2 hours and take place at a location of your choice a city location, a park, a venue, or somewhere that means something to you as a couple. Edited images from a pre-wedding shoot are usually delivered within 2–4 weeks.

Pricing for a standalone pre-wedding photoshoot in the UK ranges from around £150 to £500, depending on the photographer and location. Some photographers include a free engagement shoot in their full-day wedding packages.

Hidden Costs to Watch Out For

The headline price on a photographer's website is rarely the full cost. Here are the most common extras that push the final invoice higher than expected:

Weekend and Peak Season Surcharges

Some photographers charge a premium for Saturday bookings or for weddings during the busy season from April to October. This can add £100–£400 to a package price.

Travel Beyond a Defined Radius

Many photographers include travel within a certain radius (often 25 miles) and charge per mile or per hour beyond that. For weddings outside a city like London, this can add up quickly. Always ask whether UK-wide travel is included in the price.

Cultural or Religious Ceremony Surcharges

Some photographers treat Asian, Muslim, or African weddings as a premium category and charge more for them, citing longer timelines or additional complexity. This is not something every photographer does and it's worth asking directly. At HOBS FILMS, there is no cultural surcharge. Every wedding is priced on hours covered, regardless of ceremony type.

Editing Timelines

Not a direct cost, but worth knowing: delivery times vary widely across the industry. Some photographers deliver within 2–4 weeks; others take 8–12 weeks during peak season. If you need images quickly for a honeymoon post or a family gathering, check the expected turnaround before booking.

Album and Print Upgrades

A printed album is not included in most base packages. Albums can range from £150 to £700 depending on size, material, and the number of pages. If you want a physical album, factor that into your budget from the start.

How to Choose the Right Wedding Photography Package

Start with Your Timeline

Map out what time your day starts and ends, then work out which parts you actually need covered. If you're having a short ceremony followed by a small dinner, a 4–6 hour package may be enough. If you have a full day with preparation, ceremony, reception, and dancing, a 10-hour package makes more sense.

Decide Whether You Need Video

Photography and videography serve different purposes. Photos give you individual frozen moments; video gives you sound, movement, speeches, and vows. Many couples say their wedding film is what they return to most in the years after the wedding. If video is important to you, look for a package that combines both from the start rather than adding it on later.

Check the Style, Not Just the Price

Wedding photography styles vary significantly. Documentary or reportage photography captures the day as it naturally unfolds without directing people. Posed or traditional photography involves more structured family portraits and formal shots. Many photographers blend both. Look at full wedding galleries not just the best images on a homepage to get a realistic sense of what you'll receive.

Confirm What "Edited Images" Actually Means

Some photographers deliver lightly colour-corrected images. Others do full skin retouching and detailed editing. The number of images also varies a 10-hour package might deliver 500 images from one photographer and 900 from another. Ask specifically what editing is included and roughly how many images to expect.

Ask About Cultural Experience

If you're having a Nikkah, Walima, Mehndi, Gaye Holud, Nigerian traditional ceremony, or any multi-part wedding, it's worth choosing a photographer who has covered similar ceremonies before. They'll know the key moments to anticipate and how to work within the space and timing of each part of the day.

Compare Like for Like

When getting quotes, make sure you're comparing the same number of hours, the same number of photographers, and whether travel is included. A package that looks £400 cheaper might not include travel, an online gallery, or editing rights things that are standard elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I budget for a wedding photographer in the UK?

A realistic budget for a professional wedding photographer covering a full day in the UK is £900–£2,500. If you want a combined photo and video package, budget £1,200–£2,500 for a full day. Budget photographers offering hourly rates (such as £80/hour for photography) can bring the total down significantly for shorter or more flexible coverage.

What is included in a basic wedding photography package?

A basic package typically includes a set number of coverage hours (usually 2–4), one photographer, and a set of edited digital images delivered via an online gallery with printing rights. Albums, second photographers, and video are usually separate.

How many hours of wedding photography do I need?

For a registry office or micro wedding, 2–3 hours is usually enough. For a ceremony and part of the reception, 4–6 hours works well. For a full wedding day covering preparation through to the evening, 8–10 hours is the standard. Most couples find that 10 hours covers everything without feeling rushed.

Is it cheaper to book photo and video together?

Usually yes. Combined packages are almost always better value than booking separately, and they reduce the number of vendors you need to coordinate with on the day.

What is a pre-wedding photoshoot and do I need one?

A pre-wedding photoshoot is a separate session before the wedding day, often used for engagement photos or to get comfortable in front of the camera. It's not essential, but many couples find it useful, especially if they're not confident on camera or want to use the photos for invitations and save-the-dates.

Do wedding photographers charge extra for cultural weddings?

Some do. It's worth asking directly before booking. Photographers who frequently cover Asian, Muslim, or African weddings should be charging based on time and coverage hours, not on the type of ceremony. At HOBS FILMS, there is no cultural surcharge for any wedding type.

How long does it take to receive wedding photos?

Delivery timelines range from 2 to 12 weeks depending on the photographer and the time of year. Most photographers aim for 4–8 weeks. Ask for a specific delivery window in writing as part of your contract.

Can I get wedding photography packages under £500?

Yes. Short packages for micro weddings or registry office ceremonies can start from around £200–£260 for 2–3 hours of professional coverage. Hourly-rate photographers offer the most flexibility at this budget level.

What HOBS FILMS Offers

HOBS FILMS is a wedding photography and videography company based in London, covering all of the UK. Packages start from £260 for a 2-hour photography package and £450 for a combined photo and video package. There are no weekend surcharges, no cultural surcharges, and travel is included across the UK.

visit hobsfilms.co.uk or get in touch directly to discuss your wedding date.