Destination Wedding Photographer in Italy or Europe: Bring One from Australia or Hire Local?
The short answer: Both work well. A local Italian photographer knows the places and doesn't need to travel, which can make them cheaper. A photographer from Australia means you can meet in person, plan in your own time zone and pay in Australian dollars. Most importantly, hiring an Australian photographer as it’s easier to ascertain that their style fits the kind of photos you want. Choose based on whose photos you love and who you trust.
Hiring a local photographer in Italy or elsewhere in Europe
Where it wins to hire local
They know the locations well, including when they're quiet and where the light falls.
No travel costs for them.
They often know local vendors, permits and rules.
What to watch for
You'll probably only meet on video calls before the day.
Planning happens across time zones. Most of Western Europe, including Italy and France, is 8 to 10 hours behind the east coast of Australia, depending on the time of year.
Prices are in euros, so the final cost moves with the exchange rate.
Paying for deposits to foreign bank accounts can be tricky.
If you've married legally in Australia, you'll still need to find a separate celebrant for the ceremony overseas.
Bringing a photographer from Australia
Where it wins
You can meet in person before you go.
Planning happens in your time zone.
You pay in Australian dollars, and you're dealing with an Australian business.
They probably understand the aesthetic and style you’re going for a bit better.
What to watch for
Check whether their own flights and accommodation are included.
Ask how well they know the location. Have they been, or scouted it?
Ask about their backup plan if their flight is disrupted.
What it looked like for one of our 2026 couples
In 2026, one of our couples from Brisbane eloped in the south of France. They flew into Paris, drove south, and married at the Airbnb they were staying in. Emily photographed the day, Izzy ran the ceremony, and a musician played. Most of their photos were taken right there at the house.
Before any of that, we'd already married them. They booked an Airbnb in Lake Macquarie and brought their parents along for a weekend away. Emily and Izzy spent an hour and a half with them there, doing the legal ceremony and some photos. It also meant we got to know each other before we met again in France.
These are their real costs, which they shared with us:
Photographer, celebrant and musician: $10,000.
Their whole elopement, including return flights from Brisbane for two: $19,410.
They married in a place they'd never been, with a team they'd already met at home.
See their full line-by-line budget in How Much Does It Cost to Elope in Europe from Australia?
What destination wedding photography costs
Prices vary widely. What changes the price:
Hours of coverage. 3 to 4 hours suits most elopements. 6 or more suits a day with guests and dinner.
Travel. Whether the photographer's flights and accommodation are built in.
Film. Shooting on film adds costs for rolls and developing.
Extras. Video, short social media clips, a second photographer.
Delivery. How many photos, and how quickly.
In Italy, for example, elopement photography advertised online starts under €1,000 for a short session. All-inclusive Italian elopement packages are often €7,000 to €10,000 or more.
Lovefool's Italy packages include photography (both digital and film), content reels and the legal ceremony in Australia with Izzy, a symbolic ceremony in Italy, planning and on-the-day coordination. Our flights and accommodation are included, with no extra travel costs.
Want somewhere else in Europe? We travel anywhere and would love to chat about your vision for your wedding! See our Destination Elopement Package page.
10 questions to ask any destination wedding photographer
Can I see a full gallery from one wedding, not just highlights?
Have you worked at this location before?
How many hours do we actually need?
Are your flights and accommodation included?
What happens if you can't get there?
Do you have a wet weather plan?
Do we need permits to take photos or hold a ceremony at the spots we want?
How many photos will we get, and when?
What currency do we pay in, and when are payments due?
Can we meet or video call before we book?
About Lovefool
Emily is a wedding and elopement photographer who shoots on digital and 35mm film, and one half of Lovefool Elopements in Newcastle, NSW, with celebrant Izzy. Emily and Izzy have worked together for years and have married many happy couples, including elopements in Europe in 2026.