A Simple Guide to Destination Wedding Photography: Understanding Travel Costs and Preparation
Planning a destination wedding photography can feel exciting yet overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding wedding photographer travel fees. But fear not! We’re here to help you navigate this journey with ease.
Understanding Destination Wedding Categories
We classify destination weddings into three groups to set clear pricing and keep things transparent:
- Local: Within 2 hours.
- Driving Distance: Farther than 2 hours.
- Requires Flying: Out-of-state or locations requiring air travel.
Determining Travel Costs
When you reach out about your wedding, we check the venue’s location to calculate travel. 60 miles of travel is included in our wedding packages, which means there are no costs involved for any venue within 60 miles. But, if the venue is over 60 miles away, that’s where additional travel costs come in.
To help you plan, here is a breakdown of how travel fees are calculated based on distance and requirements:
| Category | Distance / Condition | Travel Fees and Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Local Weddings | Beyond 60 miles (up to 2 hours) | Mileage charged at $0.66 per mile. |
| Driving Distance | Farther than 2 hours | Mileage plus a one-night hotel stay. |
| Long Distance Drive | Over three hours | Mileage plus a two-night hotel stay local to the venue. |
| Requires Flying | Out-of-state / International | Airfare, two-night hotel stay, and a $250 travel stipend. |
Personally, we PREFER to drive if we can. This way, clients only pay for mileage, not additional airfare and travel stipend costs. We’ve driven as far as North Carolina to lower costs for our clients.
What is Included in Flying Costs?
For weddings where flying is required, the details typically include:
- Mileage to the airport (if over 60 miles).
- Airfare for the lead photographer and second photographer.
- Two-night hotel stay near the venue (approximately $150/night).
- A $250 travel stipend for food, baggage fees, and rental car expenses.
Hotel and Flight Arrangements
We handle our own bookings and give you a clear invoice. We book all of our own accommodations, finding the best price within reason while maintaining quality (usually a Hampton Inn), then invoice you for the cost and provide a receipt so you can see exactly what was paid. This prevents us from having any “surprises” when it comes to our accommodations. When travel costs are involved, we provide a separate itemized invoice for them, which is due four weeks before the wedding.
Venue Visits and Scouting
We actually prefer to not do venue visits before the wedding day at all! This is for a few reasons, including minimizing travel when weddings are out of town. But, we have found that scouting a venue on the day OF the wedding (by arriving early enough to allow time to do so) is the most beneficial. The florals, landscaping, lighting, weather and time of year will all determine where we shoot on a wedding day – and those things will only matter on the day of the wedding.
So, we don’t ever do venue tours! We just always arrive 30-45 minutes before we begin shooting every wedding so that we can scout the property and find where we will be shooting.
Why Invest in Destination Photography?
Hiring us for your destination wedding means entrusting your special day to skilled professionals committed to preserving every moment with care. With our expertise, dedication, and flexibility, we ensure that your unique love story and the beauty of your chosen destination are captured flawlessly. By choosing us, you’re investing in peace of mind and timeless memories that will be cherished for generations to come.