How much did you spend on the photographer?

Hey Ladies

I just want to make sure I'm not going overboard on the photographer. I think its a very important part of the wedding! what is the average cost of a photographer? Share your info!!! I really want to use Del Sol photography but i just want to compare prices first. Post what the price includes(how long, negatives ect.) thanks for your help ladies!!!!!

I was lucky enough to win the services of our very own Nic Dragonmire. So my costs will be the travel costs for him and his assistant. My hours and photos on dvd were included in the contest.

Take a look at this thread though for some more ideas:

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t2105

I hired Jim Kennedy Photoghapher from Orange County, CA and I picked one of his lower packages that includes 6-7 hours of coverage; 2nd photographer, 28 side leather craftsmen album (12x12); engagement session (which I will be including my three children) and a private website. I have to pay addition for travel cost. Everything came out to be about $7300. I agree it's really pricey, but he's really good in capturing at all angles and lots of candid pictures which is important to me because of my kids. Those picture moments only happen once and I want to make sure it's done right.

I'm still in just the very early stages, but if my aunt is not available on the date we choose, I will have a nice photography budget - after all, it is the only thing that I will have to look back on to remember my day.

We are prepared to spend the biggest part of our budget on this - we don't want to go all the way to mexico and come back with average photos. Saying that, i've still got a budget for it!lol

The only photographer both FI and myself have agreed on so far is around $5400, and thats for something like 7 hours...so we would get a bit before the ceremony, then during and after. We are also going to do TTD...think that was coming in at just under $1000.

I did find another photographer for alot cheaper than that, however they are relevantly new to destination weddings, so going to keep an eye on their portfolio and see how that works out for them.

Hope that gives you an idea!!

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We are getting married in the DR and I found out about a photographer from outside the resort that is in the Punta Cana area. They are more expensive than the resort photographers, but I am extremely impressed with their work, and I get more for my $ with them. Here are the packages I am going with.

GOLD PACKAGE

Up to 5 hours of photography for ceremony, photo shoot of bride and groom, group and family, cocktail, dinner or preparation

Choice of color, black and white and sepia

Average of 250-300 images

1 set of 4x6 proofs

1 professional slip-in wedding album with your 30 favorite images printed in 8x10

All images on CD with reproduction release

1 60 days online gallery

1 dvd slideshow of your best pictures

1 handmade painted picture on canva 12x18

Trash The Dress session

30 min session after your wedding day

30 prints 5x7 and images on CD

GOLD VIDEOGRAPHY PACKAGE

Up to 5 hours of video coverage

Wedding Ceremony and reception videography

1 45 min edited DVD

Personalized Opening titles and closing credits including photos

Personalized cover and label art on your DVD.

The total for all three of these is $2400.

Oh yeah, then I have to get the day passes for them at the resort, so that will be another $150 - 200.

waw thats a really good price you have got for all that you have listed!!

About 2500 usd for a whole day.

Thank you ladies, this really helps me get an idea. the photographer I want to use is $4200 for 5 hours and you get the digital negatives. I love their style I just have a hard time spending that kind of money when I really don't want to spend more than 15,000 total. We are already spending $4,000 on a band because the music is important to my FI. My mother just informed me that she wants to give us money but I feel bad taking it but it would help. My FI is basically paying for it all. I guess we have a lot to figure out. I just don't want things getting crazy!

The last survey on expenses of weddings in DW done in the United States speaks of total average of expenses of a wedding is 20.000 and that regularly from the 10 to 15% is dedicated to photography. That is 2.000,00 to 3,000.00.

Juan Guzman