Introduction
Are you planning your dream wedding in Dublin, Ireland? Selecting the right photographer is crucial to capturing your special moments.
Understanding the costs involved can help you make an informed choice without the stress. Here, we explore the key considerations for hiring a wedding photographer in Dublin, helping you navigate your options seamlessly.
What Does a Wedding Photographer Cost/Prices in Dublin and Ireland?
Average Costs Explained
In 2024, the average cost for a wedding photographer in Dublin typically ranges between €2,000 and €4,000. These costs vary based on experience, package details, and session length. Whether you’re looking for basic coverage or an extensive package that includes pre-wedding shoots and special edits, prices can fluctuate accordingly.
Enjoy reading, and don’t miss out on a few money-saving top tips!
TOP TIP: People often think the venue coordinator handles everything, but the real person making crucial decisions on your wedding day is actually the photographer. They decide when to take photos, for how long, and where. A wedding photographer is much more than someone who just takes photos—they manage the flow of your day, organize group shots efficiently, know the best locations, and handle unexpected situations like rain. A skilled photographer ensures your day runs smoothly, leaving you with more time to enjoy the celebration. Choose wisely—they can make or break your experience!
Package Options and Prices
Wedding photography packages offer various services, from day-long shoots to half-day wedding photography packages, special edits and multiple session offerings. It’s worth considering whether you need a second photographer, which can provide additional perspectives and increase the cost.
TOP TIP: Booking an experienced, high-quality wedding photographer for a half-day package is often wiser than a cheaper option for the entire day.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HALF DAY WEDDING PACKAGE
- “What’s the typical or average cost for a wedding photographer in Dublin and Ireland?”
- “Where can I find full Wedding Photography Packages and a reasonably priced photographer?”
- Second wedding photographer? Do I need one?
- “How do I avoid losing half of my wedding day getting my wedding photographs taken?”
- “What’s the difference between a photographer that costs €900 and one that costs €6000?!”
- Top Tip – Half day package worth it?
Budgeting for Your Wedding Photos
TOP TIP: Want peace of mind when booking a supplier? Check if they offer a FREE Deposit Guarantee Plan. It can be a real game-changer for some!
Yes, that’s right—I offer that! :)
Learn more here about Deposit Guarantee Plan.
Cost vs. Quality: What’s the Real Difference?
Prices can range dramatically from as low as €900 to upwards of €6,000. The key difference often lies in experience and portfolio quality. A more expensive photographer generally brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of stunning photos.
Saving on Photography Costs Without Sacrificing Quality
While saving a few hundred euros on photography might be tempting, remember that these images will last a lifetime. Opting for a slightly more expensive photographer might ensure higher-quality photos that truly capture the essence of your special day.
TOP TIP: Ask if your wedding photographer offers a wedding video or photobooth—that can also save you money!
Hiring both a photographer and a videographer for your wedding can be expensive, but many photographers offer combined photo and video packages.
Choosing one of these packages often saves you money and means you only have to deal with one company, making the planning process easier and ensuring seamless coverage of your special day.
The Big Wedding Day Questions Answered!
- Can you imagine being dragged out of your drinks reception for hours to take photos?
- How much will a wedding photographer cost and why?
- How much is a great wedding photographer?
- What’s the typical Irish wedding budget?
- What’s the average price for a wedding photographer based in Dublin or nationwide in Ireland?
- How can I save money on my wedding day or photography and videography packages?
- How do I avoid losing half of my wedding day and getting my wedding photographs taken?
Planning Your Wedding Day Timeline
Efficient Scheduling for Stress-Free Photos
An experienced photographer delivers quality and efficiency. They can capture beautiful moments without pulling you away from your celebration for too long. Discuss your schedule with your photographer to ensure ample time is allocated for essential shots without allowing you to miss out on your own party.
First off, I’ve Been in Your Shoes!
I got married on June 1st 2019, meaning that I’ve been on both sides of the camera – I’ve been the Groom and the wedding photographer, with hundreds of successful wedding shoots in my portfolio!
So, let’s discuss a few things worth remembering to help you plan a stress-free wedding budget…
TOP TIP: Remember—you can always sort out, design, and pay for a printed wedding album even a year or two after the big day! No need to stress about it when booking—it can help ease the budget!
The Importance of Experience
Why It Matters
Experienced photographers can easily navigate the demands of a wedding day, ensuring that everything goes smoothly and that you end up with photos that you love. They understand how to utilize lighting, settings, and timing to capture the best shots possible.
Can you imagine being dragged out of your drinks reception for hours to take photos?
Unfortunately, photographers without proper experience will likely waste time using poor locations with little potential to capture good photos.
They can also waste important time and daylight trying to take these photos, all the while, your day is sipping by and you miss out on quality time with your friends and family waiting for you at your wedding reception.
Costly savings :(
I usually find that when looking back, many people regret saving €200-€500 on the cost of a wedding photographer just so they could book the more affordable option. I get that, at the time, they likely needed the photographer’s cost to fit the price they had in mind for their wedding budget.
However, rather than being a cost-saving measure, this penny-pinching often turns out to be a ‘costly’ one, especially regarding the final photos, which can often be below par.
I always have to remind the wedding couples that, unfortunately, you can’t recreate the emotions, moments, and atmosphere of the most important day of your life! It’s impossible to re-shoot, so I strongly recommend that you make sure that you are very excited by your wedding photographer’s portfolio BEFORE you make the booking!
Here are some pointers to help you make the right decision:
- How important are your wedding day photographs to you?
- Would you risk hiring someone whose portfolio of photos is OK (but not great) if the price is far less – maybe €400, €500, or €900 less?
- How much would you pay for your amazing memories to be captured professionally on your wedding day?
Unfortunately, most couples don’t realise how much of an impact the cost and quality of a wedding photographer and videographer can have on their wedding day.
Ensuring Your Wedding Photographer Meets Venue Requirements
Insurance and Venue Restrictions
Many upscale venues in Ireland require photographers to carry specific insurance policies. Make sure your photographer meets these requirements to avoid any last-minute issues.
A sample of my Photography Permit – Fota Gardens
Risky Business
Hiring an uninsured wedding photographer can have potentially disastrous consequences for a location wedding.
Need help choosing a Wedding Photographer?
Do you need help choosing a wedding photographer? If so, why not look at my detailed post on choosing the right wedding photographer?
On average, the price for a photographer in Ireland and Dublin can vary massively, anywhere from €400 to €4,000. I know these figures, based on my research for my wedding photographer when I got married!
I guarantee you that you’ll likely find many photographers at both ends of that scale. So, what’s the difference between the photographer you can book for €400 and the photographer you can book for €4,000 then?
Would you like an average photographer to work on your wedding day or the best photographer with years of experience? (Of course, having the best photographer for the cheapest price would be great, but that’s unrealistic!)
That’s the difference – Unfortunately, there’s simply no way that you will book a great photographer with loads of experience for even €1,000.
TOP TIP: Wedding shows can be an excellent opportunity to meet suppliers and find deals, but it’s important to keep in mind that the most sought-after vendors, like photographers, videographers, and stylists, are often booked and working on weddings, not attending shows.
Many suppliers who participate in these events are those looking to fill their calendars, which might indicate they don’t have as many bookings.
While you can still find great vendors at these shows, be aware that the top professionals may not be there because they’re likely busy working on someone else’s big day.
Final Thoughts on Choosing a Wedding Photographer
It’s More Than Just Photos
⦁ There is no average price for a genuinely GREAT wedding photographer!
⦁ There is also no ‘magic’ – the best wedding photographer WILL cost money, but those photos will stay with you forever
⦁ If I book a cheaper option, can I relax on my wedding day and be confident that my wedding photographer has the WOW Factor??? Is having peace of mind worth the €400/€500 saving?
Remember that only your memories and photos will stay with you after your wedding—nothing else. So, please make a good decision to avoid disappointment—it’s already too late after the wedding!
I hope these pointers have been helpful. Enjoy your wedding planning!
The WOW Factor
Paying more for the experience is usually necessary for a wedding photographer to take breathtaking and memorable photos.
I know a great photographer can have very different meanings, as each person has a different opinion. I recommend that you find the photographer who makes you feel excited when you go through their portfolio—someone’s work that makes you think, “WOW—what an AMAZING photograph of that couple!!!”
Back in 2019, when I was looking for a wedding photographer, I received many quotes from photographers ranging from €1,000 to €2000. However, I didn’t see anyone with much experience and breathtaking photos as part of their portfolio.
In my humble opinion, when looking for the perfect photographer for your wedding, you must find a photographer with a portfolio that excites you! Only then look at the costs of hiring him or her- also ask about travel costs!
This is one of the main reasons why first asking for an average price is not a good idea, as the average price varies between €400-€4,000, but may not indicate the photographer is the right one for you.
Choosing the right wedding photographer is about more than just comparing prices. It’s about finding someone whose style you love and who you trust to capture one of the most important days of your life.
TOP TIP: Some time ago, I spoke with one Bride, and I was very surprised – Consider skipping disposable cameras on tables and opting for a professional photo booth. While the costs are often comparable, what was a big surprise for me!, the outcomes are significantly better.
When It Comes to Photography, You Get What You Pay For
From personal experience, I’ve seen that €2000- €3,500 are the ‘standard’ prices for experienced and exciting photographers in Ireland. You’ll be in good hands when spending that kind of money!
Your photographs, safe and secure
Any professional photographer will back up your wedding day photographs in multiple places to ensure their safety and security. They’ll usually also ensure they’re saved and backed up online in case of a fire in an office, etc.
Online backup can be very expensive, though, and most average photographers probably won’t have access to online copy, as it’s just too costly to justify with what they’re charging. However, a true professional wedding photographer will always invest in this security.
Remember, when you book a cheap wedding photographer, you risk losing your photos if something goes wrong.
Wedding albums and printed books
How much do wedding albums cost, and how much do you have to be ready to pay for one?
Well, why not look at my post, Wedding Albums Ireland, to get a clearer idea?
Don’t forget – a Wedding Album will stay with you FOREVER!
Why a Half-Day Wedding Photography Package Might Be Perfect for Your Wedding – Click to learn more!
How much are Wedding Photography Packages? How much do you pay for amazing memories???
Wedding full-day photography packages?
First off, let’s look at some examples of truly great wedding photography:
Pictures can paint a thousand words, and choosing the right photographer can mean all the difference to your wedding day’s ‘story.
When choosing wedding photography packages, deciding how much to pay for your photographer, or who you’ll pick, remember one very important point: Your photographer will spend your entire wedding day with you. Before making a final decision on a photographer or wedding photography package, make sure that you check the testimonials of your chosen photographer.
For complete transparency, you can see my testimonials here: Wedding photographer testimonials.
Similarly to how I’ve put together this post about photography, Keith Malone, a wedding videographer, has also taken the time to write about his perspective on hiring the right wedding videographer.
Finally, and probably most importantly, as advice when choosing your wedding photographer, the more relaxed and comfortable your photographer can make you feel in front of the camera, the better your photos will look.
I received this message yesterday from one of my clients:
“Daniel, we had so much fun with you… it was like being with a lifelong friend… Thank you so much for everything. I haven’t laughed so much!”
Also, one very last thing: if you’d like to go through my portfolios to get a clear idea of my style as a wedding photographer:
I’d love to be part of your very special day!
Daniel
Explore More.
Learn About Irish Wedding Venues and Photography:
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Hi Daniel, just wondering if you are free July 15th 2023 for our wedding in Newbay House, Wexford and church in Clonegal, Co Carlow.
Thanks
Sinead & Stephan
I have checked my calendar and unfortunately, I am not available on your date. Kind regards. Daniel