I'm Eric Goldstein, a Boca Raton wedding photographer. Most articles on this question open with a big number. I don't print my prices on this site, because the number depends on what you book. I send the Wedding Investment Guide with current pricing the same day you ask.
What I can do here is tell you what you're paying for, what moves the price, and how to compare quotes from different photographers. That part is the same for everyone.
What You're Paying For
A wedding photographer sells time, skill and a finished gallery. The day itself is the visible part. Before it, there's a planning call, a timeline, a shot list and coordination with your planner and venue. After it, there are weeks of editing.
With me, every package includes the full ceremony and reception, every image fully edited, a private online gallery and a print release. A full wedding day typically comes out to 600 to 900 edited images, with a sneak peek within 48 hours and the full gallery in 4 to 6 weeks. I edit every image myself, so that turnaround is real work, not a batch preset.
What Changes the Number
| Choice | What it changes |
|---|---|
| Hours of coverage | My wedding packages run from 6 to 10 hours. More hours cost more. |
| A second photographer | A paid add-on. Worth it for larger weddings or when two rooms need covering at once. |
| Video and drone | Photo, video and drone from one person, so the whole day has one look. Hybrid video can be added to any photo package. The largest package includes video and drone. |
| An engagement session | Included in the larger packages. Available on its own too. |
| Albums and prints | Add-ons. They aren't needed to get your photos. |
| Rehearsal dinner or a day-after session | Add-ons. |
| Travel | Fees apply beyond a reasonable driving distance from Palm Beach County. |
| Rush delivery | Available at an additional fee if you have a real deadline. |
How Many Hours Do You Need?
Count backward from the last thing you want photographed. Then list what's in between: getting ready, a first look, the ceremony, family formals, couple portraits, cocktail hour, the room entrance, toasts, the dances, the cake and the send-off.
Family formals are the one people underestimate. Done right, they take about eighteen minutes. Done badly, they eat an hour of your cocktail reception. Send me your list ahead of time and I'll shoot it in order, oldest relatives first.
If the day runs long, I'm flexible when I can stay. Extra hours are billed at the rate in your contract, and I'd rather hear about a shifting timeline early.
Do You Need a Second Photographer?
Most weddings I shoot on my own. You book me, you get me, from the first call to the final gallery. Most weddings under about 150 guests don't need a second shooter. Tell me the guest count and the venue and I'll tell you honestly whether it's worth adding.
How to Compare Photographer Quotes
- How many hours of coverage are included, and what happens if the day runs over?
- Are all the delivered images edited, and about how many will I get?
- Do I get a print release, or do I pay a licensing fee to print my own photos?
- Is a second photographer included, or an add-on?
- Is there an album I have to buy to get the good images?
- How much is the retainer, and what does it cover? Mine is a percentage of the package and is applied to the final balance. It's non-refundable because it holds your date.
- How long until I see photos, and how long until I have the full gallery?
- Will the photographer I meet be the one who shoots my wedding?
A lower price can mean fewer hours, fewer edited images or a license you pay extra for. Put the quotes side by side on those eight points before you compare the totals.
Getting a Real Number
Tell me the date, the venue and roughly what you're planning, and I'll send the investment guide the same day. On the first call I'll give you a real number. If it doesn't fit your budget, tell me what does. Sometimes I can make it work, and you'll get a straight answer early instead of three emails later.
Wedding Photographer Cost Questions
How much does a wedding photographer cost in South Florida?
It depends on the hours of coverage, whether you add video, drone or a second photographer, and what else is in the package. I don't print a number on this page, because a range without those details wouldn't help you plan. Ask me and I'll send the Wedding Investment Guide with current pricing the same day.
What does a wedding photography package include?
Mine run from 6 to 10 hours. Every package includes the full ceremony and reception, every image fully edited, a private online gallery and a print release. The larger packages add an engagement session, drone coverage, hybrid video and same-day social previews.
How far in advance should I book a wedding photographer?
Most couples book 9 to 14 months out. If your date is within the next 6 months, reach out right away. I often have late-season availability that isn't publicly listed.
How do I hold my wedding date?
A signed contract and a retainer. I don't hold dates informally, so until both are received the date stays open to other clients. The retainer is a percentage of your package and is applied to the final balance.
Do wedding photographers charge extra to print the photos?
Some do. My packages include a print release, so you can print, frame and share your photos without a licensing fee. Albums and prints from me are add-ons, but you don't need either to get your photos.
Do you charge for travel?
Travel fees apply beyond a reasonable driving distance from Palm Beach County. I cover Palm Beach County, Broward and Miami-Dade, and I've photographed destination events throughout Florida. Tell me your venue and I'll tell you what travel looks like.
Planning a South Florida Wedding?
Send me your date and venue and I'll tell you if I'm free. Get in touch here.
More to read: how many hours of coverage you need, questions to ask a wedding photographer, whether photographers give you the RAW files, when to book, what to expect from a South Florida wedding photographer and my FAQs. My wedding photography page and photo and video page show what coverage includes.