Congratulations! You’re getting married in Nashville, or maybe you’re planning on moving to the Nashville area. Either way, one of the big questions will be how affordable is wedding photography here compared with other cities? To help you get started on your budgeting process, let’s look at our most popular packages and costs for different types of sessions. We’ll also walk through some common expenses and what they include so that you can plan ahead for your big day (and beyond).
Nashville Wedding Photography Packages
Wedding photography packages are a great way to get everything you need for your wedding day, as well as save money. The more you book with one vendor, the more you can save.
Nashville Wedding Photography Costs
What does it cost to hire a photographer in Nashville?
The good news is that the average price of hiring a photographer for a wedding in Nashville is affordable. The bad news? It can be challenging to find affordable photographers who are also professional and experienced enough for your special day.
Let’s look at some numbers! How much does it cost to hire a wedding photographer? You may have heard from friends or family members that they paid anywhere from $1,000-$10,000+ per hour for their own photography on their special day…and while those numbers are possible (and even probable), they aren’t the norm! Here are some current prices:
- Affordable – $1,500 – 2,500 (for an 8-hour coverage)
- Mid-Range – $2,500 – 4,000 (for 10 hours)- wedding photographer nashville.
- Luxury – $4k+ (12+ hours)
What about Tennessee? How much does it cost there?
In general, Tennessee weddings tend to be less expensive than those in other major U.S cities—but this doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily get lower quality services! If anything we recommend trying out some local photographers first before getting married just because you don’t want anyone else knowing where you’re going
Engagement Photos
Engagement photos are a great way to get acquainted with your photographer and the process, which is especially important if you’re not yet sure whether or not they’re the right fit for you. For example, if they’re too quiet and reserved during an initial meeting or conversation, it’s likely that they’ll be quiet and reserved while shooting your wedding day.
If your personality is outgoing and bubbly, but their personality is more introverted or reserved—or vice versa—that may be an issue down the road. It’s best to find out now so there aren’t any surprises after all of your hard work has been put into planning this once-in-a-lifetime event!
Ceremony
The ceremony is the most important part of your wedding day, and it’s important to have it documented well. This is where you’ll remember how your partner looked as they said “I do,” or how much fun you had with friends and family. As such, I usually recommend that couples book both an officiant and a photographer for their ceremony—usually one hour before the ceremony starts, during the service (if there are breaks), and then again once it ends.
It’s also common for couples to want some additional photos taken during receptions or after parties. Some photographers may not be comfortable taking this kind of candid photography on their own; if so, they might hire another photographer or assistant to help them out at these events.
Reception
When it comes to how much time you should allocate for the reception, there are a lot of factors to consider. How long do your speeches last? Is there a first dance? Do you have other events that need to be accommodated (bridal shower, bachelorette party)? Are there going to be multiple courses or just hors d’oeuvres? Once you’ve answered these questions and more, it will be easier for you to make an informed decision regarding how long you want the reception portion of your wedding day to last.
Depending on what kind of music is being played during dinner and at other points throughout the evening will also help determine how much time needs to be spent on dancing at each wedding. If dinner is served family style and everyone stays seated while eating, then not too much time needs to be spent mingling with guests between courses; however if guests are expected stand up from their seat at certain points in order enjoy a buffet or passed appetizers or desserts (or all three!) then some extra time must be allotted so that no one feels rushed or overwhelmed by having too many options available simultaneously.
Another factor affecting how long we suggest before beginning dancing is whether or not there is live music being provided by local bands/DJs hired especially for this occasion rather than relying solely upon pre-recorded tracks stored within an iPod dock system like those found in most bars today–which means no one can slow dance until after 10 p
Rehearsal Dinner and Brunch
You might be wondering: what is the difference between a rehearsal dinner and brunch? They are two very similar celebrations, but with a few key differences- wedding photographer nashville.
Brunch is usually held in the morning hours of the day after your wedding ceremony. It allows guests to meet up before heading back home following their stay for your big day.
Rehearsal dinners usually take place on the evening before your wedding ceremony begins. Your groomsmen and bridesmaids will gather together to practice walking down the aisle, standing at attention during vows reading, and make sure they know what they’re doing during other small details like tossing flower petals or singing along with you when it comes time for recessional music! Rehearsals are also an opportunity for family members who aren’t able to attend due to distance or scheduling constraints (think parents working overseas) get some face time with each other prior to saying “I do!”
Photos of the Bride and Groom Getting Ready
Getting ready photos are a must-have for any bride. These photos can include showing the bride getting ready, or even both the bride and groom getting ready to be married. If you want to save money on your photographer’s fees, ask them if they would be willing to take some of these types of pictures for free. It is important that you get professional images taken at your wedding no matter how much they cost you or what kind of deals you have to make in order to get them done right by a professional photographer like us at Photo-Reflective Images!
Family Photos
Family photos are a great way to capture the big moments of your wedding day.
They should be taken before the ceremony, after the wedding party arrives at the venue, before they depart for their reception (or right after), and again upon their return to their own home or hotel at night.
Wedding Photographer Travel Fees
You may be surprised to find that travel fees are included in your package price. For example, if your wedding photographer lives 2 miles from your venue, then there would be no travel costs. On the other hand, if they had to drive 20 miles from their studio to get to your venue, it would cost more money.
The amount added on top of the base cost is based on how many hours were needed for the photographer and assistant(s) to get there! The longer it takes them to drive or fly somewhere—and therefore take longer away from their home base—the more expensive it becomes for them (and thus for you).
Your photographer will create a custom package of wedding photos based on your specific needs.
Your photographer will create a custom package of wedding photos based on your specific needs. You can choose up to four hours of coverage, and you can upgrade at any time if you want more hours or photographers.
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer in Nashville, we know that it can be difficult to determine how much your photographer will charge. We want you to feel confident that your photographer is worth every penny they charge and that they are not going to short-change you on the quality of their work!