What's Included in a Wedding Photography and Videography Package in NZ?
What a NZ wedding photo and video package usually includes, what is often an add-on, what is easy to miss, and how to compare quotes line by line.
A wedding photography and videography package in New Zealand usually includes a set number of coverage hours, a set number of crew, professionally edited photos delivered in an online gallery, and a short highlight film, with extras like albums, drone footage, a second shooter and raw files often sold as add-ons. The headline price only tells you part of the story. Two quotes that look similar can include very different things, so this guide breaks down what is normally included, what is usually extra, and how to compare quotes line by line.
The Core of Every Package: Hours and Crew
Almost every package is built on two numbers: how many hours of coverage you get, and how many people are working. Shorter packages (around 4 hours) typically cover the ceremony, family photos and couple portraits. Full day packages (8 to 12 hours) usually add getting ready, the reception, speeches and the first dance.
Crew matters as much as hours. One photographer can only be in one place, so a second photographer lets you capture both partners getting ready, or guest reactions during the vows while the main photographer stays on the couple. For video, the same logic applies: one videographer captures the story, and a second angle mainly helps during the ceremony and speeches. When comparing quotes, write down hours and crew side by side first. Everything else builds on those two figures.
What Is Usually Included on the Photography Side
- Edited images. Packages normally state a number of professionally edited photos, colour corrected and graded. Shorter packages commonly deliver a few hundred images, full day packages more.
- Sneak peeks. Many photographers send a small preview set within days of the wedding, before the full gallery.
- An online gallery. A private link where you and your guests can view and download high resolution files.
- A personal print release. Permission to print your photos for personal use.
- Core coverage. Ceremony, family and group photos, bridal party, couple portraits and venue details.
What Is Usually Included on the Videography Side
- A highlight film. A short, music driven edit of the day, typically a few minutes long, set to licensed music.
- Ceremony coverage. Many packages include the full ceremony so you can hear your vows again, and fuller packages add speeches and reception coverage.
- Digital delivery. Films delivered by download link or private gallery.
Video deliverables are where quotes differ most, especially around full edits and raw footage. For a detailed breakdown, see highlight film vs full ceremony vs raw footage.
What Is Often an Add-On
- Extra hours. Usually charged per hour, per crew member, if the day runs longer than planned.
- A second photographer or videographer on smaller packages.
- Printed albums. Frequently sold separately, with prices varying widely by size, page count and cover material.
- Drone footage. Also depends on the venue allowing it and the weather on the day.
- Social media reels. Short vertical cuts for Instagram or TikTok are often a separate deliverable from the main film.
- Engagement sessions. Sometimes bundled into bigger packages, often booked separately.
- Raw files or raw footage. Rarely included by default, when offered at all.
- Travel. Many studios include travel within their home city and charge for travel and accommodation further away.
The Details That Are Easy to Miss
Some of the most important parts of a package are not on the price list at all. Before you book, check:
- Delivery time. This varies a lot between studios, from around four weeks to a few months. Ask for the typical timeframe in writing.
- Planning support. Whether a consultation and help building your wedding day timeline are included. A good timeline is what makes your coverage hours go further: see how to plan your wedding day timeline for photos and video.
- Backup plans. What happens if a photographer is sick, or if gear fails on the day.
- Deposit and payment terms. How much secures your date and when the balance is due.
- Music licensing. Whether the film uses properly licensed music, which matters if you want to post it online without it being muted or removed.
Booking Photo and Video Separately vs Together
If you book a photographer and a videographer from two different companies, you get two packages to compare, two contracts, two sets of add-ons and two teams working around each other on the day. Booking both from one studio usually means one timeline, one point of contact, and a crew that already knows how to stay out of each other's shots. It is worth pricing both ways. We cover the pros and cons in should your wedding photographer and videographer be the same studio.
How to Compare Two Quotes Line by Line
Put each quote into the same simple checklist:
- Coverage hours
- Number of photographers and videographers
- Number of edited photos, and whether sneak peeks are included
- Film length, and whether the full ceremony and speeches are included
- Delivery time for photos and for video
- Travel costs for your venue
- The add-ons you actually want (album, drone, reels, extra hours), priced out
- Whether prices include GST
Once every quote is filled in the same way, the real price difference is usually obvious. For current price ranges, see our wedding photography cost guide and wedding videographer cost guide, and for the wider list of things to check, questions to ask your wedding photographer before booking.
What Is Included in Vantirra's Packages
As an example of how this looks in practice, Vantirra publishes exactly what each package includes. Photography packages include 250+ or 500+ edited photographs depending on coverage, sneak peeks within 48 hours, family and group portraits, bridal party and couple photos, ceremony and venue details, and a private online gallery with high resolution downloads. Videography packages include a cinematic film with a licensed soundtrack and the full ceremony in 4K, with raw footage available on request. Combined packages put a photographer and a videographer from the same team on your day. Drone footage, a social media reel and extra hours are available as add-ons, there are no travel fees within Auckland, and galleries typically arrive within three weeks, with films within four. Full details and prices, all including GST, are on our wedding packages page.
Frequently asked questions
What should be included in a wedding photography package?
At minimum: a clear number of coverage hours, the number of photographers, a stated number of professionally edited photos, an online gallery for delivery, a personal print release and a typical delivery timeframe.
Are wedding albums usually included in the package?
Often not. Printed albums are commonly sold as an add-on, so check whether a quote includes one before comparing prices.
Do wedding photographers give you the raw files?
Usually not by default. Most studios deliver edited images only, and raw files are either unavailable or offered on request.
How long does it take to receive wedding photos and videos in New Zealand?
It varies between studios, from around four weeks to a few months. Many photographers send a small set of sneak peeks within days of the wedding.
Is it cheaper to book photography and videography together?
It can be. Some studios that offer both price combined packages below the cost of booking each on its own, but not all do. Compare the full inclusions, not just the total.
Planning an Auckland wedding?
See our photography portfolio and videography portfolio, or get in touch to check our availability.
About the author: Hugo Chan is the founder of Vantirra and has 6+ years of professional video and photography experience in Auckland. He leads all Vantirra wedding and event productions and has worked with clients across New Zealand, Australia, and Asia. Learn more about the Vantirra team.
