Ok. Let’s talk about the thing nobody wants to talk about.
Money.
I’ve been photographing weddings in St. Louis full time for 18 years, and “how much does a wedding photographer cost?” is still one of the first questions couples ask me. And I get why. Most of you have never hired a wedding photographer before. You don’t know what’s normal, what’s a steal, and what’s a red flag wearing a cute Instagram grid.
Sooooo I’m just gonna tell you. Real numbers, real reasons, no hemming and hawing.
The Quick Answer
Wedding photography in St. Louis ranges from almost nothing with brand-new photographers to $10,000 to $15,000 or more with the most experienced, in-demand pros. Most couples who want an experienced photographer covering the full day should plan for a real investment in the thousands. At Pinxit Photo, with out knowing anything about your day or wedding, we list our St. Louis wedding photographer coverage at $4,800 for 6 hours, 8 hours of coverage is $5,800, and adding our in-house video team typically adds $3,800 to $5,800 on average.
Now let me tell you WHY the range is so wide… because that’s the part that actually helps you choose.
The St. Louis Wedding Photography Market Is VAST
There are photographers in this city who will shoot your wedding for a bag of Skittles and a hug. And there are St. Louis wedding photographers who cost $10K to $15K weddings. Both exist. Both are booking.
So what’s the difference?
- Newer photographers are often still building their portfolio. Some are super talented! But they may not have backup gear, a solid contract (that protects EVERYONE), a plan for when the ceremony runs 45 minutes late, or experience getting 200 people into a family photo before the cocktail hour ends.
- Mid-range photographers usually have some weddings under their belt, a consistent style, and a more reliable process.
- Experienced, top-tier photographers bring years of problem-solving, a team, heirloom products like albums, and the kind of calm that only comes from having seen literally everything go sideways (and still getting the shot).
Price isn’t the only thing that separates these groups. But it’s usually telling you something about experience, reliability, and what you’re actually getting at the end.
What Actually Changes the Cost of a Wedding Photographer
Hours of coverage
This is the big one. Our coverage starts at 6 hours, which can work for smaller or simpler days. But for most couples, 8 hours is the real minimum and 10 hours is the sweet spot. (For reference, 8 hours with Pinxit is $5,800.)
Why? Because what most couples really want is the space to enjoy their wedding without stressing about the clock. Getting ready, first look, ceremony, family photos, portraits of the two of you, reception, toasts, first dance, the dance floor going CRAZY… that takes time. When coverage is too short, somebody ends up rushing, and it’s usually you.
Honestly? Budget is the only thing I see keep couples from building the day they really need.
Extra photographers and videographers
A second photographer means two angles on the big moments: your partner’s face when they see you AND your face walking down the aisle. Some days need even more.
Our last couple needed a third photographer just to capture the details (and whew, those details deserved it). We also added a third videographer who spent the reception collecting video greetings from guests. It was AWESOME. That’s the kind of thing a cookie-cutter package would never have included.
Video
Adding our video team typically costs $3,800 to $5,800 with us, depending on your coverage. But in St Louis the best video teams cost $7,000-$12,000. There are plenty of sold St. Louis videographers that cost in the $2500-$7000 range. Knowing what you want as an end product and what you want those stories to look like will help you narrow down both style and budget for this choice.
Having photo and video under one roof means one team, one timeline, and nobody fighting for the same spot in the aisle. They have a plan and know how to move together. That said the top teams for video I’ve worked with them and they are a joy to have on the team. There are a LOT of videographers whose names I see on the vendor list and I am EXCITED to rock with them. They love video, they love doing it and they are as excited to create as I am as lead photographer. And video captures the one thing photos can’t… voices. Sound. Your vows. Maybe dad’s toast. Your grandma’s laugh.
And as life keeps going, you will long for some of those sounds. Believe me.
So whether you decide to hire a separate video team or go with our in house choice, it’s never a bad idea to get a video team who loves what they do, and have strong plans for SOUND.
This goes for content creators too. I’ve found true content creators are learning how to maximize the strength of iphones and social media and good ones ARE AMAZING at it. Bad ones.. just like bad photogs and bad videographers give the rest of us hurdles to overcome. We have an awesome content team here, and we can recommend a few amazing ones.
Albums, add-ons, and extras
The options are literally endless, and I don’t love overwhelming people with a giant menu. A few couples always ask about:
- Engagement Sessions, you need a chance to see how it feels to be photographed and the chance to fall in love with the images we can create together. You also get the chance to maybe do a custom guestbook or gifts for parents and grandparents.
- Heirloom albums, because a gallery on a hard drive is not something your grandkids are gonna flip through
- Parent albums, which make the best gifts EVER (hi, crying moms)
- Pre-wedding sessions,(traditionally called Bridal sessions) because who doesn’t want to wear the dress twice? (Suits count too.)
Our goal is simple: make sure you have everything you need and as much of what you want as we can possibly give you.
Why We Don’t Do Cookie-Cutter Packages
At Pinxit, we rarely use set packages. We build coverage around YOUR day.
A 60-person backyard wedding and a 300-person ballroom reception with a two-hour cocktail hour are not the same wedding. They shouldn’t have the same cost just because they fit into “Package B.” So instead, we sit down together, look at your timeline, your people, and what matters most to you, and build the coverage that fits.
That’s why we use “starting at” pricing. Your investment depends on what your day actually needs.
The Biggest Mistake Couples Make When Comparing Prices
Here’s the thing I wish every couple knew before they booked anybody.
Most couples don’t have a super clear picture of what they want their photos to look like. And that’s normal! You’ve never done this before. But it means you don’t really know if you got it right until AFTER the wedding, when the gallery lands in your inbox.
It’s not a great deal if the photographer fit your budget but the pictures come back looking nothing like what you had in mind.
And here’s the part most people don’t understand: how an image can be edited starts with how it was captured. It’s not just a filter. Light, exposure, lens choice, where the photographer stood, how they handled the shadows… all of that gets decided in camera. Some images CAN’T be edited into a different style because of the technical choices made when the photo was taken. You can’t turn a dark, moody image into a bright, colorful one (or the other way around) and have it look.. purposeful.
So choose a photographer who is as close to your ideal as possible, in more ways than just cost. Look at full galleries, not just the highlight reel. Look at your pinterest board and consider if you love those images because of the posing? the color treatment? the emotion? Ask yourself: is this what I want to be looking at in 30 years?
So… Is a Wedding Photographer Worth It?
Let me be real with you.
Whoever you choose is gonna be your eyes for the day. They are literally responsible for helping you remember.
Every investment you made in this day. A ll the sweet moments with your mom. Every quiet look between you and your future spouse. Every friend’s tears. All the joy you could possibly be trying to hold on to… we want to give you that.
I want you to remember how the flower girl pouted. How the ring bearer ran down the aisle at top speed, straight to his dad’s leg. I want you to see every stolen glance your mom took because her baby was getting married.
I want it all for you. And you deserve someone who wants it as much as you do.
What You Get With Pinxit Photo
Two things I think matter most after 18 years of doing this (and you can see the whole Pinxit wedding experience right here):
Experience. I’ve seen late wedding party members, bridesmaids dresses that weren’t finished, surprise rainstorms, split pants, missing boutonnieres, and one very determined toddler who would NOT walk down the aisle. Experience means I already have a plan for the thing you haven’t thought of yet.
The truth. I will tell you the truth about your day. If your timeline doesn’t give you enough time for family photos, I’ll tell you. If your sunset portraits are scheduled after the sun is already gone, I’ll tell you. It’s not the best idea to not have transportation when your wedding party is 18 people. Kindly! But I’ll tell you. Because I’d rather have that conversation now than have you wish you had those photos later.
And whether you’re two brides, two grooms, a bride and groom, or two partners throwing one heck of a party, you’ll get the same thing from us: a team that sees you, celebrates you, and wants your people in every frame. That’s not just a nice line either. It’s our Ally Pledge.
How to Make Great Wedding Photography Fit Your Budget
- Ask about payment plans. We build coverage to suit your day, so payment plans are available and built around your coverage too.
- Prioritize hours over extras. If you have to choose, more time usually beats more stuff. With us your album is a after wedding project, so its not something you have to worry about right away. You can’t go back and photograph the dance floor.
- Book early. We usually book 9 to 15 months out. Booking early gives you the best shot at your first-choice photographer and more time to plan payments. I personally an a huge fan of two year engagements
- Share your WHY. Tell your photographer what matters most. It helps us build coverage that spends your budget where it counts.
Questions to Ask Any St. Louis Wedding Photographer Before You Book
- Can I see two or three full wedding galleries, or wedding albums? not just highlights?
- How many hours of coverage do you recommend for a wedding like ours, and why?
- Is a second photographer included, or an add-on?
- Do you offer video, or will we need a separate team?
- What’s included in the investment: albums, prints, digital files, engagement session?
- Do you offer payment plans?
- What happens if you’re sick or there’s an emergency on the wedding day?
- How long until we get our photos back?
If a photographer gets weird about any of these… that’s your answer.
Let’s Build Your Coverage Together
Every wedding we photograph is different, so your investment will be too. The best way to find out what your day actually needs is to talk it through.
Bring your timeline, your guest count, your Pinterest board (and the WHY behind it), and let’s build something that fits your day, your people, and your budget.
Ready to talk wedding? Book your consultation or drop us a note through our contact form.
That’s it. That’s the post.
