Planning a Melbourne wedding means choosing from hundreds of photographers, with prices that range from a few hundred dollars to well past ten thousand. After more than ten years photographing weddings across Melbourne and country Victoria, here’s what we tell couples who ask us where to start.
What Melbourne wedding photography actually costs
Most established wedding photographers in Melbourne charge somewhere between $1,500 and $8,000 depending on hours, deliverables and reputation, with premium studios going beyond even that. For a concrete reference point, our own photography packages run from $1,650 for six hours to $2,500 for ten hours — each including unlimited shots, full editing and colour correction, prints, and a private online gallery.
Affordable wedding photography in Melbourne does exist — but judge “affordable” on what’s included, not the headline number. Be wary of quotes that look too cheap: the photographer who charges $500 often hands over lightly edited files weeks late, and there are no second chances with a wedding.
How many hours of coverage do you need?
This is the question we get most, and the honest answer depends on your day’s shape:
Six hours suits a single-venue wedding — ceremony and reception in one place, no long travel between locations. You’ll get preparations from one party, the ceremony, portraits and the key reception formalities.
Eight hours is the most common choice. It comfortably covers both partners’ preparations, the ceremony, location portraits and the reception through the first dance.
Ten hours is for big days: multiple venues, longer travel (say, getting ready in the city with a Yarra Valley reception), cultural ceremonies with their own traditions, or coverage through to a proper send-off.
If your celebration includes traditions that extend the day — we regularly photograph Greek, Jewish, Chinese and South Asian weddings — talk hours through with your photographer early. A tea ceremony or an extended reception changes the timeline more than couples expect.
Photography and videography together
Nine out of ten of our couples book photography and videography in a combined Melbourne package. One team means one timeline, no two crews negotiating for the same shot, and a consistent style across photos and film. It’s also cheaper than booking separately — combined wedding photography and videography packages start at $3,950 where separate bookings of equivalent coverage cost more.
If wedding videography matters to you, decide before booking your photographer; adding a separate videographer later means two companies, two styles and two timelines on the day. Melbourne wedding videography on its own runs from $1,799 for six hours with us, including a fully edited film and cinematic highlights.
Where to take your photos
Melbourne gives you almost any backdrop within an hour: heritage architecture at the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, CBD laneways with their graffiti and bluestone, beaches, formal gardens, and the city skyline from across the Yarra. Beyond the city, the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula wineries, the fern gullies of the Dandenong Ranges, and country Victoria’s golden paddocks each photograph completely differently. We’ve collected our favourite Melbourne photo locations here, plus venue guides like our Dandenong Ranges venues post.
One practical note: always have a wet-weather plan. Melbourne’s weather doesn’t care about your schedule, and a good photographer will already know the covered options at and near your venue.
Questions worth asking any Melbourne wedding photographer
Ask to see a full wedding gallery, not just highlights — anyone can show ten great shots. Ask who actually shoots on the day, what happens if they’re ill, how long delivery takes, whether you get high-resolution files without watermarks, and what travel costs apply (we charge none anywhere in Victoria — worth confirming with anyone you talk to). And meet them, even by phone: this person is beside you all day, and rapport shows in the photos.
Ready to talk?
We’re a family-run team — over ten years of Melbourne weddings, rated 4.8 stars from 91 Google reviews. Look through our portfolio, check package details and pricing, or get in touch — call Steve on 0431 195 977.
