When planning a wedding, it’s natural to look for ways to save money. Weddings are expensive, and with venues, catering, flowers, DJ and outfits all adding up, couples are often tempted to cut costs on photography. After all, “it’s just someone with a camera, right?”

But here’s the truth: photography is one of the only lasting investments you’ll make on your wedding day. The food will be eaten, the flowers will fade, and the decorations will be packed away — but your wedding photos are the memories that stay with you forever.

And when it comes to photography, going “cheap” can sometimes be the most expensive mistake you make.

The Real Cost of Cheap Photography

Recently, a family member of mine hired a cheap photographer for two pre-wedding events. On the surface, it seemed like a great deal — low price, plenty of photos promised. But what arrived after the event told a different story.

The delivered over 3,000 images, all dumped into a download link. None were edited. None were sorted. No care had been taken to choose the best moments, crop distractions, adjust lighting, or create a collection that told the story of their celebration.

Now, instead of enjoying the images and recalling the memories they ushered back, they will be spending hours — probably days — sifting through thousands of unedited images, desperately trying to piece together the good from the bad. And even after all that time and effort, the photos will never have that polished, professional look that proper editing provides.

This is the hidden cost of going cheap: stress, disappointment, and the risk of having photos that don’t reflect the true magic of your day.

Why Professional Wedding Photography Is Different

A professional wedding photographer doesn’t just turn up with a camera and press the shutter button. There’s a huge amount of skill, time, and artistry that goes into creating a wedding gallery you’ll treasure.

Here’s what you get with a professional (that you don’t get with a bargain-basement price):

1. Quality Over Quantity

You don’t need 3,000 mediocre shots — you need a carefully curated gallery of the best 500ish images that tell the story of your day beautifully. A professional photographer spends hours selecting the best shots, removing duplicates, and ensuring every image adds value to your collection.

2. Expert Editing

Editing isn’t just about adding filters. It’s about adjusting lighting, colours, and tones to make your images timeless and clean. It’s about removing distractions in the background, the odd stray hair across your face. It’s about giving your photos consistency so that your wedding images flows naturally.

A cheap photographer who hands you thousands of unedited files is essentially asking you to do their job.

3. Experience and Anticipation

I have photographed around 100 weddings and I can tell you — no two weddings are the same. A professional photographer knows how to anticipate the moments before they happen. They know how to handle tricky lighting, tight schedules, and even the less than perfect weather!

That experience means peace of mind — you know your photographer won’t miss the first kiss, the emotional glances, or the fleeting laughter.

4. Reliability and Professionalism

A good photographer doesn’t just take photos; they help your day run smoothly. From calming nerves during the morning prep to gently guiding group photos, we’re part photographer, part cheerleader, part organiser, and part friend.

Cheap photographers may not have the same commitment to professionalism. They might show up late, lack backup equipment and not be able to deal with certain conditions.

The Emotional Value of Wedding Photography

Your wedding photos aren’t just for you. They’re for your family, your children, and even your grandchildren. They’re the memories you’ll look back on in 10, 20, or 50 years’ time.

Imagine opening your wedding album and seeing a collection of carefully crafted, timeless images — photos that instantly transport you back to the laughter, the emotions, and the love of the day.

Now imagine opening a hard drive full of thousands of unedited, poorly lit, blurry images. Instead of reliving joy, you’re reliving frustration.

The emotional value of wedding photography is priceless, and that’s why it deserves to be treated as one of the most important investments in your day.

Why Couples Regret Going Cheap

Couple who regret choosing a cheap photographer will often say:

“I thought all photographers were the same.”

“I wish I’d invested more — the photos just aren’t what I imagined.”
“We saved money, but we lost the memories.”

Unfortunately, by the time you realise this, it’s too late. Unfortunately, wedding day photography isn’t something you can redo.

How to Choose the Right Photographer

The good news is, you don’t have to hire the most expensive photographer in the world to get amazing results. You just need to find someone whose style you love, whose experience you trust, and whose personality makes you feel comfortable. Since starting, I have always provided my clients with fully edited final images and I like to think that my couples all receive good quality images that didn’t break the bank.

Here are a few tips:

Look at Full Galleries – Don’t just rely on Instagram highlights. Ask to see a complete wedding gallery to check for consistency.
Ask About Editing – How many images do they deliver? Do they edit every photo?
Read Reviews – See what past couples say about their experience.
Chat with them – Your photographer will be with you more than almost anyone else on the day. Make sure you click with them.

Final Thoughts

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life. The photographs you take away from it are the lasting legacy of those memories.

Yes, it can be tempting to cut corners and choose the cheapest photographer. But as the saying goes: you get what you pay for. Cheap can often mean rushed, careless, and unfinished — leaving you to do the work yourself.

Investing in a professional photographer ensures your story is told beautifully, with care, skill, and artistry. When the cake has been eaten and the flowers have faded, your photos are what remain. Make sure they’re worth cherishing.

Why Hiring a Cheap Wedding Photographer Could Cost You More Than You Think