Wedding photographer will take many shots just to get the one special moment, and therefore would normally cost more than a portrait photographer. A photographer shoots between 1000- 3000 images at a wedding, while a good portrait photographer shoots on average 300-500 images. Even though a reasonable basic package might cost $1000-$1500, you can easily spend three or four times that amount since you are paying for the photographer's time at your wedding, hours spent developing your pictures, the finished product, the prints and albums you order and for the artistic aspect and creativity of the photographer. If your photographer has a high reputation and is in high demand, he/she charges more for his/her services documenting your wedding. You may think you do not require that much photos but mostly, once you see the proofs you would want more than you first ordered, especially when your photographer happens to be a great artist.

When you are successful in your search for a wedding photographer who suits your needs and tastes, you have to discuss a price for the job. Usually you get what you pay for except the more experienced photographers who may charge more, only a very rare case.  

Get quotation from various photographers for the same job to compare them. There might be some variables in the cost of a wedding photographer; how long you want the photographer’s service, the approximate number of photographs to be taken, the number of shots to be added in the package that is presented to you and the type of album having the final photographs within. Be very careful at this point since the photographer anticipates taking more shots than they intend presenting to you; this will leave a greater margin for error. Also don’t be carried away by offers like "too good to be true" as these are usually just as they sound.

Always remember, the content of the photographs that matters, not the number of shots or the size of the prints.. You can easily enlarge a print, or change your photographs digitally to include fewer people, highlight one particular area or even to change the weather. Thus the possibilities to make changes are endless if you are dealing with a good print, but nothing could be done to a set of photographs that do not carry the content you require.

Confirm how the photographer determines price; by the number and kinds of prints you want, the amount of rolls of film, the hours the photographer spends on your wedding, the developing time, or a combination of all these. Also ascertain how many rolls of film he/she will use, how many proofs and final prints you will get and packages and a price list are available.

Ask the photographer how long he/she spends taking their shots after the ceremony and/or at the reception. You should decide before you hire the photographer how long you think it is acceptable to keep the waiting, and see how close the photographer's estimate comes to yours.

Finally, ensure the photographer explains their quote and tells you of any extras that may be involved in advance. Every wedding operates on some kind of budget, and keeping a track of your spending becomes easier if you have the full picture up front.