What do you charge for destination weddings?

johnld
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · What do you charge for destination weddings?

What are wedding photographers charging for travel/destination weddings? Thanks for any input.

Jan 19, 2024 at 10:17 AM

Besprosvet
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · What do you charge for destination weddings?

Living on an island, for me it's very time consuming to do destination weddings. Ferries that stop going from and to Capri at 8PM (or even earlier) often add an obliged extra night of staying in Naples (which means lost jobs in Capri). The quotation it's tailored for each client, there's not a fixed fee. It really depends on te location.

Jan 19, 2024 at 12:42 PM

DannyBostwick
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · What do you charge for destination weddings?

Man it depends on where and when it is. If it's on an island on a Tuesday in February I'll just try not to lose money on it. I'm game for a trip somewhere warm and if we can 1:1 barter, I'm cool with it.

If it's like an 8 hour drive to somewhere I'm not particularly stoked to go in the busy season, it's my usual rate + all travel and per diem. No freebee's there, especially if I feel like I can book the date somewhere else.

But those are the extremes, I've definitely met in the middle on that for destinations too. It all depends on where it is, when it is, and how badly I want or don't want to shoot it. When I was younger and didn't have kids I was all about it, now I'd just as soon rather shoot one in the fire house up the street if it pays the same as opposed to fighting with TSA, checked bags, car rentals, and resorts with drunk DJs who barely speak English and don't tell me things are about to happen.

Jan 19, 2024 at 01:20 PM

LeeSimms
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · What do you charge for destination weddings?

Danny highlights what I think is a reality of destination work. The majority of photographers don't really cash flow with them — it's an entertaining distraction that (hopefully) they don't lose money on.

In slow season, a destination request is met with a 'let's make a deal' attitude. From May-Oct, it's met with a frown. We shot an event in Costa Rica last May — which is a month we'd usually say NO to — in this unique case, it worked out.

I think Daniel Griffiths in AUS still shoots destination weddings almost weekly. Perhaps he's still in that model.

Jan 19, 2024 at 02:20 PM

TTLKurtis
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · What do you charge for destination weddings?

Personally, I think destination weddings are a huge pain in the ass - yeah, it's a nice change of pace, creatively, but I would rather work locally and save up for an actual vacation if they're asking about getting a hook-up because it's a destination. Traveling for work is work, it's difficult to enjoy myself in the small amount of downtime that exists. We also have 3 children and calling in favors for folks to take care of them going to and from school, feeding them, etc. just all sounds like a lot of work.

This is (almost) 40, I guess. But I felt the same way before I was married with kids, so...

All that said, I'm happy to do it on the rare occasion that someone asks and isn't expecting free travel or discounts because they hope I'm desperate to travel... but I charge accordingly.

Jan 27, 2024 at 12:42 AM

angelafoushee
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · What do you charge for destination weddings?

Look up the cost it would take for you to get to the destination (plane tix) and the cost of your stay. Then build it into the cost of your services. Assuming you do not publish your price prior to speaking with the potential client

Jan 31, 2024 at 10:46 PM

johnld
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · What do you charge for destination weddings?

The destination wedding is a full days drive from our location at approximately 11 hours. It is the last wedding we have booked for the season, so no scheduling conflicts. The idea was to charge our actual costs and a per diem for the round trip and to use that to offset an extended stay with a mini camping vacation after the wedding. Renting a car or air travel is not a budget friendly option either. Actually, for this short flight, it's almost as expensive as flying across the country and rental cars are approximately $450 for one week! We have a great relationship with the couple and they're adamant about having us shoot their wedding, but adding almost $2000 to our rate might make a difference. Update to follow...

Edited on Feb 01, 2024 at 05:27 PM · View previous versions

Feb 01, 2024 at 11:35 AM

TTLKurtis
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · What do you charge for destination weddings?

If $1,000 for traveling 11hrs away is a deal-breaker, then they aren't all that concerned about you being the photographer. That is a huge chunk of extra time, extra hard costs for you, and I think unreasonable for anyone to expect a professional to absorb that cost.

Totally understand wanting to make it as affordable as possible for someone, but there's a fine line between being nice and letting yourself be taken advantage of. Only you can determine where that line is.

Feb 01, 2024 at 02:29 PM

John Straus
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · What do you charge for destination weddings?

Always charge a portion of your shooting rate (for travel) PLUS all expenses. Even as an assistant I charge 1/2 rate for travel time plus all expenses... Meals, hotels, etc...

May 26, 2024 at 08:39 PM

tangosix
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · What do you charge for destination weddings?

I had soft boxes get damaged in my last flights and ouch that hurt. In general I find that all of my gear takes a beating during longer travel. I add an equipment fee now.

Jun 21, 2024 at 10:55 AM

emjaynie
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · What do you charge for destination weddings?

I've shot two in Mexico, around Playa del Carmen. I used them as an opportunity to travel and sightsee there also, which I had never done, so anything to do with the actual wedding I charged for, which included the photography of course, plus room and board in the same resort for 2 nights, and all meals while there. The airfare and the rest of the trip was on me because I then hoofed it over to Chitzenitza, a cenote or two, then Merida on one trip, and to Coba and Tulum on the other trip. Both of the couples were people I already knew, but if I ever do a destination wedding for clients I don't previously know, I will be charging the airfare too next time.

Jun 28, 2024 at 10:11 PM


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