What a wedding photographer costs:what it depends on

It is the first question asked and the worst answered. No figures are given here, because each estimate depends on factors worth understanding before comparing: with them, every proposal you receive reads better.

A wedding is not twelve hours

The photographer is seen for about twelve hours and the calculation is made on that. But the wedding day is less than a third of the work. Behind it lie travel and equipment preparation, downloading and backups, careful selection, retouching and colour photograph by photograph, the film edit if there is one, and the contract, delivery and album handling. Altogether, a careful delivery usually takes around forty hours, and many more if thousands of uncurated images are delivered.

on site on the wedding day

~12 h

of the work is the wedding day itself

< 1/3

is what a carefully delivered result takes overall

~40 h

Five factors that move an estimate

• Hours on site: from preparations to the end of the party is not the same as ceremony and cocktail alone.
• Photographs, film or both: film multiplies the post-production work and is the item that weighs most.
• How many people attend: a second professional becomes advisable beyond a certain number of guests or if preparations take place in separate locations.
• The venue: when distant, travel is estimated separately, and it should be seen before signing.
• What you wish to keep: album, case, framed work or a pre-wedding session. It is the easiest part to adjust.

What is usually cut in a very lean proposal

Sometimes there is no trick: those starting out charge little because they are building their body of work. But when the price drops far and the service is advertised the same, something is being cut. Usually one of these:

• Editing: one filter for every photo instead of retouching one by one.
• Selection: delivering thousands of images shifts the work of choosing onto the couple.
• The second professional, at a wedding that needed one.
• Insurance and backups.
• The timeframe: deliveries that stretch from too many weddings per person.

Six questions that reveal the real cost

The last prevents the most disappointment: an estimate with taxes and travel still to be added is not what it seems.

What the proposal must tell you about the price

The law that protects consumers (art. 20.1.c of the consolidated text) requires a commercial offer to state the complete final price, taxes included, itemising any discounts and additional charges. And where the price cannot be fixed exactly, it must explain the basis of calculation so that you can check it, and say whether additional charges exist.

Translated into a wedding proposal, you should be able to read three things: the final figure with taxes, what is charged separately (travel, for example) and, if the figure depends on something, what it depends on.

VAT, to avoid surprises

The general VAT rate in Spain is 21%. If a proposal gives you a figure "plus VAT", the amount you will end up paying is roughly a fifth higher than the one you see. Two proposals with the same figure are not equal if taxes are included in one and not in the other. Always ask which total you will pay, and ask for it in writing.

What must be stated before comparing

• The total with taxes and what is charged separately, with the reason.
• The hours of work, what the delivery includes and its lead time.
• How many people attend and who edits.
• How and when each part is paid.

With those four points equal across all three proposals, the comparison starts to be fair.

And if the figure depends on a decision you have not yet made, such as the hours or the album, ask for the proposal with two options and the difference explained. That way you will see how much each decision weighs before making it.

And the film

Film adds a considerable load: a second camera, the drone and its editing, delivery of more than one version and sound are the factors that move it most, and editing the complete work demands many hours. When comparing, always ask what each proposal includes and what is billed separately.

How to guide the decision

First settle how many hours you wish to cover and whether you want film. With those two answers, request proposals from three teams and compare them with the questions above. The lowest figure is rarely the most economical.

The lowest figure is rarely the most economical.

Our proposals are prepared to measure and in writing, with photographs and film on the same day. Tell us your date and venue.

If you are planning a wedding in Madrid, explore MAKERSWED's wedding photography and film collections, read the frequently asked questions or shape your story in three short questions.