A pre-wedding shoot in India can cost anywhere from a few thousand rupees to several lakhs, because the price depends on the location, the photographer, the hours, the outfits and whether you add video. This guide shows you how to calculate your own budget, so you can compare quotes and avoid hidden charges.
What decides the price of a pre-wedding shoot
Most quotes are built from six parts.
- Photographer and videographer. A new photographer, an experienced one and a cinematic team are priced very differently. Check their portfolio for pre-wedding work, not only weddings.
- Location. A local park or studio costs less than a destination like Udaipur, Goa, Jaipur or Rishikesh, because of travel, permits and stay.
- Duration. Half-day (about 4 hours) and full-day shoots are the usual options. Golden-hour shoots need good planning.
- Photo only, video only or both. Adding a cinematic film, reel or drone footage increases the price.
- Outfits and styling. Multiple outfit changes need more time. Makeup, stylist and props may or may not be in the package.
- Editing and delivery. Number of edited photos, colour grading, album and delivery time all change the price.
How to calculate your pre-wedding shoot cost
Use this formula to estimate your budget before you call any photographer:
Total cost = team (photo + video) + location costs + travel and stay + styling (makeup, props, outfits) + extras (drone, album, extra edits) + a buffer
Here is what each cost line means and what to ask:
- Photographer and team: usually counted per shoot, by hours or half or full day. Ask: how many hours, how many photographers, and is the video team separate?
- Video or reel: counted per project. Ask: is it a reel only or a cinematic film, and how long is the final video?
- Location: an entry or permit fee for each location. Ask: do forts, palaces or parks charge for shooting, and who pays?
- Travel and stay: team travel, hotel and local transport. Ask: is this included for outstation shoots?
- Makeup and styling: counted per person or per look. Ask: is a makeup artist included, and for how many looks?
- Drone: an add-on, plus permission where needed. Ask: is the drone allowed at my location?
- Editing and album: counted per edited photo and per album. Ask: how many edited photos are included, and what does an extra photo cost?
Worked example: the method, without prices
Say you want a one-day shoot in Udaipur with two outfits, a short reel and a small album. Work through it line by line:
- Team: ask for the photographer's rate for a full day, and the rate for a reel.
- Location: list the two or three places you will shoot, and find out which ones charge a fee.
- Travel and stay: check whether the team's travel and stay are inside the quote or added on top.
- Styling: add the makeup artist and any props for two looks.
- Delivery: add the album, and the cost of extra edited photos if you want more than the package gives.
- Buffer: keep a margin for small additions on the day.
Write each line in one sheet for every photographer you contact. You can then compare quotes line by line instead of by the final number.
Extra costs couples forget
Ask if these are included before you pay:
- Travel and stay for the team on outstation shoots
- Location entry fees and permits (forts, palaces, monuments and some parks charge for shooting)
- Makeup artist and stylist
- Drone permission, where it is needed
- Extra edited photos beyond the package
- Album printing and framing
- Rush delivery
How to spend smart and save where it counts
- Spend on the photographer. The same location looks very different in the hands of a skilled photographer.
- Save on location. A well-chosen nearby spot can look as good as a distant one. See our guides: Pre-wedding shoot locations in Delhi, Punjab, Udaipur and Rajasthan.
- Shoot on a weekday if the photographer offers a lower rate.
- Book early for peak wedding season, when good photographers fill up.
- Plan outfits in advance. Fewer, better outfits beat many rushed changes.
How to book without surprises
- Step 1. Choose your city and a few locations.
- Step 2. Share your date, number of outfits and whether you want video.
- Step 3. Get a written quote that lists hours, edited photos, delivery time and extra charges.
- Step 4. Pay an advance only after the date and scope are confirmed in writing.
- Step 5. Prepare a shot list and reference images a week before.
Why couples book with VsnapU
VsnapU has completed 90,000+ shoots with 2,000+ photographers across 110+ cities. That means you can book in your own city or a destination, with a photographer who knows the location. Browse photographers by city and compare portfolios before you book.
Want a quote for your pre-wedding shoot? Tell us your city, date and ideas and we will send a line-by-line estimate. Contact VsnapU
