After months of planning and anticipation, your wedding day flies by in an instant. And wedding photos are pretty much the one thing you walk away with from your big day, so it’s probably worth investing in a photographer who you can count on. But reliable and talented wedding photographers in Toronto and the GTA don’t come cheap. While prices vary in the city, there are some commonalities.
Here’s everything you need to know about how much a wedding photographer cost in Toronto and the GTA.
So How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost in Toronto and the GTA?
The average wedding photographer cost in Toronto and the GTA is from $3,300 – $3,900 for 10 hours of photography coverage before taxes.
This is an average range after reviewing price packages from different wedding photographers in Toronto. As you start to research and receive pricing packages, you’ll find that the cost of wedding photography in Toronto can vary quite a bit depending on a few factors.
What affects the cost of your wedding photographer?
Number of hours of photography
The most significant factor when it comes to your wedding photographer cost is the number of hours of you need. This includes everything from your getting ready photos, to photographing your I do’s, travel time, coverage of your reception, and any other events throughout the day. It’s common to see photographers with multiple packages offering services for different increments of hours like 8 hours, 10 hours, 12 hours, etc. As a general observation, couples tend to select a 10 hour wedding photography coverage as the sweet spot. This usually covers everything from the getting ready right to when the dance floor opens.
Number of photographers
The second factor that influences your wedding photographer cost is the number of photographers you choose to hire. If you opt for a single primary photographer, you can expect to pay less than if you have a second photographer. However, second photographers are handy if the bride and groom are getting ready at separate locations and the primary photographer can’t make it to both locations. And of course having multiple photographers also provides more coverage of your wedding day with different angles and perspectives. The standard cost to have an additional wedding photographer can range from $500 – $800.
Experience
The experience of your wedding photographer also plays a big role in the cost of your wedding photography. Experienced photographers who have been in the business for years and have a good reputation, portfolio, and brand image are likely to charge more than newer photographers. That’s because they have the skills, knowledge, and expertise to deliver quality work. They’re often more sought after and so with high demand comes higher prices. When you hire an experienced wedding photographer, you’re not just paying for their time and the photos they take. You’re also paying for their creative judgment, artistic vision, and more importantly the type of experience they create for you.
Extras
A standard wedding photography package typically starts with the number of hours and whether a second photographer is included. Additionally, there are add-ons that can also impact the overall cost of your wedding photographer. Sometimes these extras are pre-included in the package which may explain why some prices start at a higher cost. These include things like:
Engagement sessions – Included in some wedding photography packages are pre-wedding sessions or engagement sessions. With countless pre wedding photoshoot ideas to choose from, the best part is that you can incorporate these photos into your wedding invitations or display them as guestbooks or prints on your big day
Photo albums – Another common extra offered by wedding photographers are photo albums. While these handcrafted albums are beautiful, they can also bring up the cost of your photography package ranging from an extra $600 to upwards $1000.
Travel fees – Finally, keep in mind that if your photographer needs to travel a significant distance to your wedding location, this may also add to the overall cost of your wedding photographer.
Getting The Most Out of Your Money
1. Make sure you select enough photography hours for your day – It’s better to budget for more time than to try and jam everything in on your wedding day. A wedding day never goes according to schedule and it’s always more expensive to pay overtime fees on the day of your wedding than it is to have budgeted for extra time. I can’t count how many times people end up extending us at the end of the night because they didn’t account for uncertainties.
2. Choose your wedding date wisely – Saturdays between May and September are the most popular days for weddings in Toronto. Have you considered having your wedding during the off-season or on a weekday? By choosing a date outside of the peak season, you may be able to secure lower rates from vendors and photographers who are looking to fill their schedules. If you’re willing to be a bit more flexible with your wedding date, you may even be able to snag some special pricing. Photographers and vendors can offer discounts for Friday or winter weddings, as they are less in-demand and can help fill their schedules. And if you’re still on the hunt for venues ideas, feel free to look at some of our favourite outdoor wedding venues in Toronto as well as outdoor wedding venues in the GTA.
3. Consider if you need a second photographer – Don’t get me wrong, there are benefits of having a second photographer like the security of having them cover different angles and having more options to choose from, but if you’d like to save a bit and unless you require your photographer to be in two places at once, it’s absolutely possible for one really great photographer to capture the full day.
4. Be aware of prices that seem too good to be true – Now that you know the average ballpark for what wedding photographers in Toronto and the GTA go for, don’t be fooled by heavily discounted packages. For example, if you find a photographer offering their services for a full day at $1,500. More likely than not they may be not be as experienced or could be a newer photographer just starting out.
Most Important Thing to Remember
When it comes to wedding photographer costs in Toronto and the GTA, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Prices can vary widely depending on a range of factors, from the number of hours of coverage you need to the experience level of the photographer you choose. At the end of the day, the most important thing is to find a wedding photographer who you feel most comfortable with and that they fit your style and personality. Remember, your wedding photographer is literally spending days with you planning and photographing you on a day where it’s the most intimate moment of your life – so just make sure you vibe with them!