I am looking at prices for photographers in Adelaide

For what it's worth, your range of 5 to 7k is a very reasonable budget for a full day of quality wedding photography in Adelaide, so you don't need to feel like 10k is the going rate. Pricing varies enormously based on hours of coverage, whether there's a second shooter, and what's included after the day. The big swings usually come from those add-ons rather than the base shooting fee.

When you compare quotes, look closely at what each price actually covers, because that's where two numbers that seem far apart often start to make sense. Things like total hours on the day, a second photographer, an engagement shoot, albums and prints, and how long the editing turnaround is can all move a quote by thousands. A 10k package might include a fully designed album and a second shooter, while a 5k one might be the photographer's time and your edited gallery only. Neither is wrong, you just want to know you're comparing like for like.

One thing I'd gently flag: ask who actually edits your photos. A lot of studios quietly outsource their editing offshore to keep costs down, which is part of how some prices land where they do. We edit every wedding in-house ourselves, so the photos you receive look exactly how we intended, and that consistency is worth checking for whoever you book.

My honest advice is to find a few photographers whose style you genuinely love first, then have a real conversation about your budget. Most of us are happy to tailor coverage to suit, and a good photographer at 6k will serve you far better than a pricier one whose work doesn't make your heart skip. Best of luck with the search.