It’s 2025. AI’s probably planning world domination, but your main mission? Booking a wedding photographer who won’t crop Uncle Bob’s head out of every family photo. Let’s break it down into something more manageable than your cousin’s 37-slide wedding mood board.


1. Start Early (Like, Yesterday)

Wedding photographers book out faster than Taylor Swift tickets. Seriously. The top ones are often booked over a year in advance, so if you’re reading this in January 2025 and getting married in July, you’re playing on hard mode. Don’t panic. Just know your options might be a bit more limited than a Pinterest-perfect dream.

Pro Tip: Avoid the temptation to Google “cheap wedding photographer near me.” You’ll either find someone great or someone who thinks Instagram filters count as editing. Both are gambles.


2. Figure Out Your Style

You don’t have to become an art historian, but you should know what you like. Are you into moody, cinematic vibes that make your wedding look like it happened in a Wes Anderson film? Or maybe you love bright, natural shots that scream “eternally golden hour.” Browse Instagram, look through portfolios, and stalk photographers’ websites like it’s your part-time job.

If all else fails, just pick someone whose work makes you go, “Wow, I’d frame that.” Trust your gut, not your mom’s suggestion to hire her friend who “has a nice camera.”


3. Know Your Budget (And Be Realistic)

Let’s talk money. Wedding photography is an investment, and like most things, you get what you pay for. In the UK, the average wedding photographer costs anywhere from £1,500 to £3,500. If that sounds steep, remember that you’re paying for more than just a day of shooting. Think editing, experience, equipment, and someone who knows how to make your awkward uncle look suave.

Pro Tip: Don’t skimp here. Your flowers will wilt, the cake will be eaten, but your photos will outlive every bad dance move captured on the dance floor.


4. Ask the Right Questions

When you reach out to photographers, you’re not just hiring someone to take pictures—you’re hiring someone to vibe with you on one of the most important days of your life. Ask stuff like:

  • Are you available on my date? (Duh.)
  • Can I see a full wedding gallery? (Because those 10 epic shots on Instagram don’t tell the whole story.)
  • What’s included in your packages?
  • What happens if the zombie apocalypse happens, and you can’t make it? (Okay, maybe just ask about backup plans.)


5. Book Them Before Someone Else Does

You’ve found The One—your photographer, that is. Don’t procrastinate. Photographers only have so many weekends in a year, and once your date is gone, it’s gone. Lock them in with a deposit and a signed contract. If they don’t use a contract, run. Fast.


6. Trust the Process

After booking, trust your photographer. They know what they’re doing. They’ll help with timelines, recommend locations, and make sure you get the shots you want without micromanaging the entire day. Remember: They’ve done this hundreds of times. You’ve done this once. Maybe.


Booking a wedding photographer doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful—just take it one step at a time. And if all else fails, bribe them with snacks. Photographers love snacks.