Wedding Photographer Cost in Minneapolis

Short answer: most couples in Minneapolis–St. Paul spend about $3,000 on wedding photography, and most professional packages in the Twin Cities start between $1,500 and $3,000.

I'm Alejandro Rizo, a wedding photographer in Minneapolis with more than nine years behind the camera. Couples ask me about price before anything else, so here is the honest breakdown I give them.

How much does a wedding photographer cost in Minneapolis–St. Paul?

For a 100-guest wedding, Minnesota couples typically spend around $3,100 on photography, roughly 10% of the total wedding budget, according to Zola. Minneapolis is the most expensive part of the state.

Advertised starting prices tell a similar story. On The Knot's Twin Cities directory, packages start anywhere from $600 to $3,900, with the middle of the pack around $2,450. "Starting at" is the smallest package, not what most couples book.

Budget level	Typical Twin Cities price	What it usually looks like
Budget	Under $1,500	Newer photographer or short coverage, 4–6 hours, one photographer
Mid-range	$2,000 – $3,500	Experienced photographer, 6–8 hours, often a second shooter or engagement session
Premium	$4,000 and up	Full-day coverage, two photographers, album, engagement session, fast delivery

Planning for 2027? Most experienced Twin Cities photographers quote $2,500–$3,500 for a full wedding day. My packages currently run from $700 to $1,800, with launch pricing for early bookings.

What changes the price

Hours of coverage. Getting ready to sparkler exit is often 8–10 hours. Ceremony and portraits only can be 4.
A second photographer. One person can't be with both partners getting ready. A second shooter adds coverage and cost.
Engagement session. A rehearsal in front of the camera before the big day.
Albums and prints. One of the biggest price jumps, and what couples are most glad they bought years later.
Experience and editing. Judgment in difficult light, calm when the timeline slips, and careful editing of every image.

Bride and groom embracing outdoors with soft greenery, Minneapolis wedding photographer

Couple sitting on a red bench in a grand hall beneath a stained glass dome

Wedding photography packages, explained

I offer three packages: one for courthouse and small weddings, one that fits most wedding days and one that covers everything from getting ready to the last dance. Early bookings get launch pricing.

Small Wedding & Courthouse

$700

2 hours · 100+ edited images

Ceremony, couple portraits and family photos
Timeline consultation
Online gallery and downloads
Sneak peek within 72 hours
Final gallery in 2–3 weeks

Wedding Story

$1,400

6 hours · 400+ edited images

Getting ready or extended reception
Ceremony, portraits, family and reception
Timeline assistance
Sneak peek within 5 days
Final gallery in 4–5 weeks

Check my date

Launch price

Wedding Full Day

$1,800

8 hours · 500+ edited images

Getting ready to the last dance
First dance, speeches and cake
Timeline assistance
Sneak peek within 7 days
Final gallery in 5–6 weeks

Every package includes a sneak peek of your first favorite photos (within 72 hours for Small Wedding, 5 days for Wedding Story and 7 days for Full Day), high-resolution downloads with a personal print release, and a 50% deposit to reserve your date. Add-ons: engagement session $300, extra hour $150, second photographer (4 hours) $400, next-day sneak peek $150, albums on request. See all services and prices.

“Alejandro went above and beyond with providing us photography services for our wedding. He was easy to work with… I'm particularly impressed by his mastery with finding the right lighting conditions and encouraging us to try shots we wouldn't have thought about. The end result are some of the most beautiful photos my wife and I have ever taken together.”

Julio · Wedding, May 2026 · ★★★★★ Google review

Bride and bridesmaids in blue dresses leaning in together holding bouquets — Wedding party portraits are part of the Wedding Story and Wedding Full Day packages.

Twin Cities venues and seasons

Summer (June–August). Peak season. Sunset can be after 9 p.m., so golden-hour portraits may need extra time.
Fall (September–October). Warm color along the Mississippi and at Minnehaha Falls. Book early.
Winter (November–March). Sunset before 5 p.m. Indoor venues like the Minnesota State Capitol or a downtown hotel ballroom shine here.
Spring (April–May). Unpredictable weather. Plan a backup indoor spot near your venue.

Recent weddings have taken me to the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, the Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis, Hyland Hills Chalet in Bloomington and Oak Glen in Stillwater, and farther out to Grand Superior Lodge on the North Shore and Balsam Lake Lodge in western Wisconsin. Travel outside the Twin Cities is quoted separately.

Black and white photo of a bride and groom walking down an arched corridor, indoor wedding in Minnesota — Indoor venues with good architecture keep winter portraits beautiful when the light goes early.

How to choose a wedding photographer in the Twin Cities

Ask to see two or three full wedding galleries, not just highlights.
Have they photographed at your venue, or one with similar light?
What exactly is included, and what costs extra?
When will you get your photos, and how are they delivered? In the Twin Cities, full galleries arrive anywhere from 2 to 12 weeks after the wedding, so ask for a date in writing.
What happens if they are sick on your wedding day?
Can they work with your families and traditions? For a bilingual wedding, or traditions like the lazo, arras or padrinos, a photographer who knows them catches the moments that matter.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a wedding photographer per hour in Minneapolis?

Most Twin Cities packages are priced by the day. Divided out, experienced photographers usually land around $300–$450 per hour, and extra hours are commonly $200–$400. My extra hour is $150.

Do I need a second photographer?

For weddings over about 100 guests, or when both partners get ready in different places, yes. For small or courthouse weddings, one photographer is usually enough. I offer a second photographer for 4 hours as a $400 add-on.

How long until we get our wedding photos?

With me, you get a sneak peek within 72 hours for small weddings, 5 days for Wedding Story and 7 days for a full day, and your full edited gallery in 2–3 weeks for small weddings, 4–5 weeks for Wedding Story and 5–6 weeks for a full day. Many Twin Cities photographers take 6 to 12 weeks.

How far in advance should we book?

For summer and fall Saturdays, 9–12 months ahead. Weekday and winter dates often have more room.

Is a cheap wedding photographer worth it?

Sometimes, for very small weddings. Very low prices often mean less experience, shorter coverage or limited editing. Always ask to see a full gallery.

Do you offer bilingual wedding photography?

Yes. I work in English and Spanish with couples, families and vendors. Sí, hablo español.

Alejandro Rizo is a photographer and visual communication specialist in Minneapolis, covering weddings, events, sport and portraits across the Twin Cities, in English and Spanish. About me.