Two photographers can both charge $4,500 and deliver completely different things. One package might include ten hours of coverage, a second shooter, and an engagement session. Another might include six hours, one photographer, and digital delivery only. Understanding what is in the package is how you actually compare prices.
Coverage Hours
Coverage hours are the most important variable in any package. They determine when the photographer arrives and when they leave. A six-hour package starting at ceremony time misses getting ready photos. A package that ends before the reception dances misses a big part of the night.
Eight to ten hours is typical for a full wedding day. Confirm exactly when the clock starts - some photographers count from their arrival, others from the ceremony. Also ask about overtime rates in case the day runs long.
Second Shooter
A second photographer covers angles and moments that a solo shooter cannot. During the ceremony, the lead photographer shoots the processional from the front while the second captures reactions from the side. During portraits, one photographer directs while the other captures candid moments.
For weddings over 100 guests or with complex venues, a second shooter is worth the add-on cost. For intimate weddings, it matters less. Understand whether it is included or optional before you compare packages across photographers.
Engagement Session
An engagement session before the wedding is not just for photos. It is the first time you and your photographer work together in a low-stakes environment. You get comfortable in front of the camera, they learn what looks good on you, and you build a working relationship before the wedding day.
Packages that include an engagement session are often better value than they appear because the session also builds better wedding photos. The couple who has never been photographed together before their wedding day photographs differently than one who has.
Gallery Delivery and Image Count
Most packages include full-resolution digital delivery through an online gallery. Confirm how many edited images are included. Typical counts range from 400 to 800 for a full day. More is not always better - a photographer who delivers 600 carefully selected, well-edited images is preferable to one who dumps 1,200 barely-culled shots.
Ask also about the gallery expiry. Some online galleries are set to expire after a year unless you download everything. Confirm how long the gallery stays live and whether you get a USB drive or only digital files.
Albums and Prints
Physical albums are rarely included in base packages but are often available as an add-on. A professionally designed wedding album costs $500 to $1,500 or more depending on size, materials, and the photographer's design work. If you want one, budget for it separately and ask whether it needs to be ordered within a set timeframe after delivery.
What to Confirm Before You Sign
Before signing a contract, confirm: exact coverage hours and when they start, whether a second shooter is included or additional, travel fee policy, turnaround time for gallery delivery, image usage rights, and cancellation policy. For a full breakdown of what belongs in the contract, read wedding photography contracts: what to include.
You can browse and compare wedding photographer packages through the Threecus directory, which lists photographers across Toronto and the GTA with package details available upfront.