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2026 Wedding pricing guide
After months (or even years!) of planning, your wedding day will fly by in the blink of an eye. Photos let you freeze time, relive the joy, and see moments you might have missed. When you book with me, you're investing in more than just photos—you’re getting a seasoned photographer with 200+ weddings of experience, a former bridal dress consultant (your go-to dress fluffer!), and a trusted guide throughout the planning process.
My collections start with a base coverage time, and you can customize with à la carte add-ons to create the perfect fit for your day!
This guide covers everything you need to know about my packages, add-ons, my shooting philosophy & more!
WELCOME TO MY
meet melissa
I'm Melissa, a Minnesota-raised and Texas-based photographer who is totally in love with love.
As a wedding photographer with 200+ weddings under my belt, I'm passionate about capturing the real, joyful, in-between moments that make your story unforgettable. I specialize in weddings and engagements, shooting in both digital and film, and serve the Austin, San Antonio, and Hill Country area.
I believe in capturing not just how your wedding looked, but how it felt. The stolen glances, the deep laughs, the quiet moments. These are the details that make your love story yours, and my goal is to document YOU, your life, & your love.
xo Melissa
My Approach
When it comes to editing, I keep things true to color with a touch of light and airy. My style is clean and bright, never overly washed out, so skies stay beautiful, and skin tones look natural and radiant. I want your photos to feel timeless, preserving the colors and emotions of your day just as you remember them.
As for posing, I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Every couple is unique, and I adapt to match your vibe. Whether you envision editorial-style portraits with a dramatic, magazine-worthy feel or fun, candid moments full of laughter, I guide you in a way that feels natural and true to who you are. Even if you’re camera-shy, I’ll make sure you feel comfortable, confident, and completely yourself.
view my wedding galleries
The Videre estate, wimberely
the preserve at
canyon lake,
san antonio
contigo ranch,
fredericksburg
COLLECTION ONE
*8.25% Texas sales tax applies
• 10 hours of Coverage
• 1 portrait session (engagement or bridals)
• Second Shooter
• 2 Hours of rehearsal dinner coverage
• Film Photos
• Planning call with melissa
• online gallery
• digital downloads
10 Hours of Photography Coverage
This is my largest amount of coverage and is great for couples who don’t want a moment missed. From the welcome party to the grand exit, I will be there to capture all the moments in between!
investment $8500
Includes:
COLLECTION Two
*8.25% Texas sales tax applies
• 8 hours of coverage
• 1 Portrait session (engagement or Bridals)
• second shooter
• Film Photos
• Planning Call with melissa
• online gallery
• digital downloads
8 Hours of Photography Coverage
This is my most common package with 8 hours of coverage. Depending on how your day is set up, 8 hours often gives me enough time to start right at the tail end of getting ready and stay through the grand exit.
investment $7000
Includes:
COLLECTION Three
*8.25% Texas sales tax applies
• 6 Hours of coverage
• Film Photos
• planning call with melissa
• online gallery
• digital downloads
6 Hours of Photography Coverage
This is my smallest package in terms of hourly coverage. Six hours is great for couples who are having micro weddings and don’t need extensive coverage. This package cannot be booked for events held on Fridays & Saturdays.
investment $4500
Includes:
AL LA CARTE
Rehearsal Dinner Coverage
$1500 (2 hours of coverage)
$650
Bridal Session
$650
Second Shooter
$500 (FLAT FEE)
Engagement Session
FINE ART ALBUMS
10 spread (20 page)
linen album
8 x 8 $1000
10 x 10 $1250
12 x 12 $1500
*additional album spread (2 pages) $50/ea
engagement & Bridal sessions
I highly encourage my couples to add on an engagement session and/or a bridal session. These sessions are such a great way to connect before the wedding day, help you get comfortable in front of my camera, and allow us to create beautiful portraits without the time constraints of your wedding timeline.
Engagement sessions give us the chance to get to know each other, warm you up to some of my prompts and posing, and give you gorgeous photos for your save the dates, invitations, or just to celebrate this season together. Bridal sessions are the perfect opportunity to take solo portraits in your dress before the big day — without the rush. Plus, it’s such a fun excuse to wear your dress twice.
These sessions are 60 minutes long and take place before the wedding day.
view my bridal & engagement galleries
engagements at
laguna gloria,
austin
bridals at
hotel magdalena,
austin
engagements at
king william street,
San antonio
"
Melissa is such a pro! She made the experience from
engagement photos to wedding day so positive and fun! She
takes beautiful photos and does such a great job capturing the
important moments. I would recommend Melissa Otto
Photography to anyone. We are extremely happy!
Marie & mike
melissa is such a pro!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A second photographer, or second shooter, is someone who assists me throughout the day to get those candid shots that I might miss at times when I am focused on the bridal party. At the end of the night, my second photographer hands me their memory cards so that I can edit everything into one cohesive gallery.
what is A SECOND SHOOTER?
The number of returned images vary because of hours of coverage, different lighting situations, the weather, combinations of family/bridal party photos, etc. That being said, I deliver about 75-100 edited photos per hour of coverage on average.
HOW MANY IMAGES CAN WE EXPECT?
Your gallery will not expire, however, I highly recommend you download your photos and back them up to a few different places. It is not my responsible to store your photos forever. That being said, if I decide to take down your gallery in the future, I will definitely give you a heads up first.
Does my online gallery expire?
Yes, I have insurance. Some venues require vendors to list them in their COI and this is not a problem! Just let me know and I can make those arrangements.
DO YOU HAVE INSURANCE?
Yes! I travel all over San Antonio, Austin, and the Hill Country and all travel is included.
DO YOU TRAVEL?
Your total is divided into 4 equal payments: 25% is due up front to secure your date, and the remaining balance is spread out evenly until your wedding day. For even more flexibility, I also offer monthly payment plans at no extra cost.
Do you require a retainer? How do payments work?
I do not send raw files to my clients. You are hiring me for my ability to pick out the photos that make it into the final gallery and you're hiring me for my editing style. Please make sure to look through some of my work on my website and make sure you love my editing style before booking. Every photographer has a different style!
Can we have access to raw files?
You will receive your digital gallery within 8-10 weeks of your wedding date. I will not send any physical product. You will be able to download your gallery directly to your devices in full resolution from the digital gallery.
WHEN WILL WE RECEIVE OUR PHOTOS?
Yes, I will always have a backup camera body as well as a variety of lenses, batteries, flashes and memory cards.
DO YOU BRING BACKUP GEAR?
THANK you
It truly means the world to me that you're considering me to capture this special moment in your life.
Weddings are a big deal and so are the vendors you choose to spend your special day with. Which photographer you choose is a big decision both emotionally and financially and you should feel 100% confident in that decision. I’m here to help you feel that any way I can.
xo Melissa
