How to Make the Most of budget Wedding Photo & Video

If you’ve budgeted around $5,000 to $7,000 for your wedding photography and videography, congratulations – you have a healthy budget that should afford excellent coverage of your day. In the Pittsburgh area, this range can typically secure a high-quality photographer and videographer (or a combined team) with plenty of experience. But how do you stretch those dollars to get the most value? Here are our tips for maximizing what you get out of your photo/video budget:

Understand What That Budget Can Include

First, it helps to know what $5k-$7k can generally buy in the current market. While prices vary, in Pittsburgh a combined photo + video package in this range often includes:

• Full-day coverage (8-10 hours) by a lead photographer and a lead videographer (or two shooters who do both). This ensures start-to-finish capture, from getting ready through the main reception events.
• A second shooter or assistant for part of the day. Many teams include a second photographer for the ceremony or a second videographer to get multiple angles. Ask which portions will have two shooters.
• An edited wedding film (typically a 5-10 minute highlight reel) and a set of edited high-resolution photos. Make sure you’ll receive rights to print/share your photos and that the video is delivered in a convenient format (online link or USB).
• Additional products or services depending on the studio: This could be an engagement photo session, a bridal portrait session, a photo album or printed artwork, or extra video edits (like a full ceremony video or raw footage).

Not every package will include all of the above, but you should be able to customize based on your priorities. For example, if having a longer 20-minute documentary edit of your wedding is important, some videographers will include that in higher packages. Or if you value a luxe photo album, see if your photographer can bundle one in.

Prioritize What Matters Most to You

Within your budget, decide what aspects of photography/videography are non-negotiable vs. where you have wiggle room. Is it vital that you have two photographers covering your day? Do you want drone footage of your venue and outdoor shots? Are you set on a leather-bound heirloom album? Make a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves.

For instance:

• If you have a large guest list or multiple locations, having two photographers is very useful to capture more angles and simultaneous moments. That might be worth allocating more of your budget.
• If your venue has a stunning landscape (say, a farm or the city skyline), you might prioritize a package that includes drone videography for epic aerial shots.
• If you’re film buffs and a cinematic highlight video is super important, you might spend more on videography and opt for a smaller photo package without an album, planning to add an album later.

Communicate these priorities to potential vendors. Many photographers and videographers are willing to tailor packages. For example, we’ve created custom bundles where a couple skipped the engagement session in exchange for extra reception coverage on video, or traded an album for an additional shooter. Your budget dollars should go to what you value most.

Book a Combined Team or Bundle Services

As we covered in our post on hiring a combined team, bundling photography and videography with one company can often save you money (and definitely saves coordination stress). Many studios in Pittsburgh offer joint packages at a better rate than hiring separate vendors. For example, one might charge $3,500 for photo and $3,000 for video separately (total $6,500), but a combo package might be offered at $6,000. That’s $500 saved right away.

Aside from cost, bundling means you might get additional perks: a more streamlined experience, a consistent style, and sometimes bonuses like a free engagement session or discount on prints. Always ask if there’s an incentive for booking multiple services together. If you already have a photographer you love, see if they partner with any videographers for a bundle, and vice versa.

On the flip side, if you decide to split your budget between separate vendors, allocate it based on your priorities. For instance, if photos are more important to you than video, you might invest $4k in a top-notch photographer for all-day coverage and $3k in a simpler videography package (maybe 1 shooter, shorter coverage). Or evenly split $3,500 and $3,500 for solid mid-range services from each. Just be wary of prices that seem too good to be true; if someone is drastically undercharging (like offering full day video for $1,000), they may be very inexperienced. Aim for professionals who value their work appropriately – your memories are worth it.

Consider Off-Peak or Shorter Coverage to Save

If your budget is on the lower end of that $5-7k spectrum and you’re worried about affording everything you want, consider some strategic adjustments:

• Off-Peak Discounts: Some photographers/videographers offer lower rates for Friday, Sunday, or winter weddings. If you haven’t set a date, choosing a non-Saturday or an off-season date could net you a discount or extra service. In Pittsburgh, winter weddings (November through March) sometimes come with incentives since they’re less busy.
• Partial Day Coverage: Do you need coverage of absolutely everything? If not, you can book fewer hours to save money. For example, you might skip coverage of the late-night dance party if having the main events (ceremony, first dance, cake, etc.) is enough for video. Or hire the photographer until dinner is served and let guests use a photo booth for fun shots afterwards. Be careful though – you don’t want to regret not having certain moments captured. We generally advise keeping at least through important dances.
• Smaller Package + Add-Ons Later: Some couples choose a basic package initially (to secure the date within budget) with the plan to add products later. If you can’t afford the album or extra edit right now, ask if you can order it post-wedding. Many studios allow post-wedding purchases at the original package discount within a certain timeframe. That way it’s not part of the upfront budget.

Remember, most vendors require a deposit to book (often 20-30%) and then the balance closer to the date. So your payments are spread out. $6,000 might feel like a lot, but if you sign a year in advance with a 25% deposit, that’s $1,500 down, then you have time to save for the rest.

Get to Know Your Team (Value Beyond Dollars)

To truly get your money’s worth, invest time in building a relationship with your photographer/videographer. You’re not just paying for a service, you’re enlisting an expert to tell your story. Meet or video chat beforehand, do that engagement session if it’s included (even if you’re camera-shy – it’s practice!), and be open about what you hope to get.

When you connect well with us, we can capture you more authentically. We’ll know that you’re self-conscious about your profile, for example, or that you absolutely want a photo with your college friends. That kind of personalization is priceless and doesn’t cost a dime extra. Good vendors will go the extra mile for couples who trust and communicate with them. That might mean we quickly adjust the timeline when grandma is running late for photos, or we remember to get a special shot of your sorority sisters doing a group hug. Those are the value-adds that come from a good working relationship – and make your investment so much more worthwhile.

Leverage Your Photos and Videos After the Wedding

Getting the most of your investment doesn’t stop at the wedding – think about how you’ll use and enjoy the photos and videos afterward:

• Create Albums and Prints: If an album wasn’t in budget initially, you can always make one later. Use your high-res photos to create a DIY album or order prints and wall art. Don’t let them just live on a USB drive! You spent for these memories; displaying them extends their value for years.
• Share Your Video Widely: Host a small viewing party with family to watch your highlight film once it’s ready. Share the digital link with guests who attended (it’s a great thank-you). And definitely save a copy in multiple places (cloud, hard drive) for safekeeping. Reliving the day through video will remind you why it was worth the cost.
• Anniversaries and Gifts: Photos make wonderful gifts for parents (think framed photo or mini-album for them) – a nice way to say thanks. Also, consider watching your full ceremony video on your anniversary each year, or flipping through your album together. These traditions make your investment continue to pay emotional dividends.

Lastly, if you loved your photographer/videographer, leave them a review or refer a friend. It’s free for you and means the world to vendors. Building that good karma is never a bad idea!

In summary, with $5,000-$7,000 to dedicate to photography and videography, you can absolutely get top-tier professionals to capture your day beautifully. By prioritizing what matters most, smartly bundling or timing your bookings, and fully engaging with the process, you’ll maximize every dollar. Years from now, when you’re watching your wedding film or flipping through your photos, you’ll be so grateful you made this investment in preserving your memories.

If you’re currently shopping around for packages in this price range, we’d love to chat about what we can offer. Every couple’s needs are different, and we’re happy to customize. Feel free to reach out to us and we can walk you through our photography/videography combo collections and find one that gives you everything you want within your budget. After all, our goal is the same as yours: to make sure you have stunning wedding memories to look back on forever, without breaking the bank.