Wedding Photography Packages In Michigan & Grand Rapids
The Wedding Experience
From the moment we chat to the day you hold your album
It's more than photography. It's your story — captured honestly, beautifully, and forever. I show up for you the way you deserve, from the first consult to the last image delivered.
HOW IT WORKS
Booking Process
Consult
Request a consult to see if you are the right fit for Kara Hanes Photography
Booking
Complete your proposal (collection choices), Sign your contract, and pay your 30% retainer
The Wedding Lounge
Look through the wedding lounge for planning tips and maximizing your photography experiences.
Engagement Session
Need an Engagement Session? Add this to your collection or book it separately.
Wedding Day
I'll show up, camera in hand, ready to make it the best day possible for you.
Timeline Consult
Schedule your timeline meeting with me and go over the final details 1 month before the wedding day.
Receive Your Wedding Gallery
Enjoy your memories
Order Products
Interested in an album? Reach out to order yours.
NOW BOOKING 2027
FROM MY HOME IN MICHIGAN AND BEYOND
Every wedding photography package includes Kara as your lead photographer. Prices shown reflect peak season.
INVESTMENT
Wedding Photography Collections
- 10 continuous hours of coverage
- Kara as your lead photographer
- Kara's non-photographer assistant
- Second photographer, so no moment is missed
- 600+ fully edited high-resolution images
- Online gallery with 1 year of unlimited downloads
- Pre-wedding planning consultations
- Timeline meeting 1 month prior
- Engagement session add-on available but not included
- Personal usage license
- Need more time? Add it anytime at $150 per 15 minutes, only with your approval
What's included
$1,000 off price · Nov – May & Sundays
$6,000
The Essential Collection
MOST POPULAR
- 4 continuous hours of coverage
- Kara as your lead photographer
- Kara's non-photographer assistant
- 300+ fully edited high-resolution images
- Online gallery with 1 year of downloads
- Pre-wedding planning consultation
- Personal usage license
- Need more time? Add it anytime at $150 per 15 minutes, only with your approval
What's included
One price, year-round
$3,000
The Intimate Collection
Elopement & Intimate
- 10 continuous hours on wedding day
- 2-3 hours of welcome party coverage the evening before
- Kara as your lead photographer
- Second photographer angle
- Dedicated 3rd shooter for extra candids and details throughout the day
- 900–1,000+ fully edited high-resolution images
- Online gallery with 1 year of unlimited downloads
- Pre-wedding planning consultations
- Timeline + Family Portrait List meeting 1 month prior
- Personal usage license
- Complimentary Wedding Album ($1,600 value)
- Need more time? Add it anytime at $150 per 15 minutes, only with your approval
What's included
$1,200 off price Nov – May & Sundays
$9,000
The Deluxe Collection
WEEKEND COVERAGE
All add-ons are completely optional and never pushed. Add only what genuinely makes sense for your day and budget.
Optional Add-Ons
Enhance Your Experience
Heirloom-quality custom album designed and ordered through your client portal after your gallery is delivered.
$1,600
Custom Wedding Album
A 90-minute studio session with hair and make up along with a little black book to give your spouse on wedding day.
Boudoir Session
A dedicated third shooter for drone aerials and detail shots, capturing everything happening while the main moments are being photographed for the whole day.
$1000
Dedicated third photographer
A 90-minute date night with Kara third-wheeling. Best booked at least 3 months before your wedding day.
$900
Engagement Session
All travel fees are confirmed before you book — never added to your invoice as a surprise. I've photographed in 6 different states and counting.
I'll Go Wherever
You Say "I Do"
Travel Fees
All of West Michigan, Holland, South Haven, Kalamazoo, and surrounding areas.
Included
ZONE 1
Within 50 miles of Grand Rapids
Always included — no travel fee
Pentwater, Ludington, Lansing, Benton Harbor
$150
Zone 02
80 miles from Grand Rapids
Detroit, Chicago, South Bend, Traverse City, Mackinac Island.
$200 + hotel
Zone 03
100-300 Miles from Grand Rapids
Destination weddings worldwide. Flight, hotel, and per diem quoted and agreed before booking — no surprises.
Custom
Zone 04
300+ miles or flight required
The couple who trusts me with their wedding day deserves complete financial transparency. No surprises. No hidden fees. Ever.
My Promise
What You See Is What You Pay. Always.
Travel fees confirmed before booking
Your travel zone fee is agreed upon before you sign, never added after the fact.
Overage only with your approval
$150 per 15 minutes, pro-rated from your contracted end time. Always confirmed with you before adding. $200 per 15 minutes if added the day of.
15-minute grace period
If your day runs within 15 minutes of your coverage window, no overage is charged. Life happens.
No processing fees
What's on your proposal is your total. No hidden fees added on top. Period.
Add-ons are always optional
Albums, sessions, and extras are offered, never pushed. You choose what fits your day.
You'll never be left without coverage
In a true emergency, I personally coordinate a trusted associate and brief them on every detail. Fully insured always.
Pay at your own pace through your secure client portal. No payment processing fees, what's on your proposal is your total.
Payment
Flexible Payments,
No Fees
Reserve your date exclusively. Once you book, I turn away other inquiries.
At Booking
30% retainer
Log into your client portal and pay any amount at any time. Your schedule, your pace.
Anytime Before Your Wedding
Any amount, any time
Remaining balance is due two weeks prior via client portal or check received on time.
2 Weeks Before Your Date
Remaining 70%
Fully transferable to a new date within one year. Retainer is non-refundable.
Retainer Policy
Transferable
"Kara was the absolute best photographer we could have ever asked for on our big day!"
Not only was she incredibly kind, but she made us feel so comfortable and relaxed on a rather hectic day! Beyond her being a wonderful human being, she's also an incredibly talented photographer. She ran with my vision, made sure we got every shot we wanted (and then some), and just captured the day so perfectly. I haven't stopped looking at our wedding pictures over the past seven months, and I could not recommend Kara more!
MAEVE AND SIMON, CHICAGO, IL
Frequently Asked Wedding Questions
What is your shooting style?
I love being both interactive and discreet throughout your wedding day. There will be parts of the day when I'll need to take the lead in order to accomplish everything that needs to be done while staying on schedule. There will also be moments when you shouldn't even know I'm there (the ceremony, during dances and toasts, etc.). I teach my couples how to pose, model and interact during their portrait time to create beautiful memories where they're having fun.
How do we receive our products?
You’ll receive your images in an online gallery that you can easily share with family and friends. This gallery comes with a personal usage license, giving you the freedom to enjoy and share your photos. On average, couples receive about 75 images per hour of coverage.
How many hours do we need for our celebration?
For most weddings, 8–10 hours of coverage is standard for a full day. However, if your ceremony is longer than an hour and your celebration takes place across multiple locations, you may find that adding an extra hour or two is helpful. We’ll review this together during your timeline meeting to make sure your coverage fits your day.
What if I want my planner to handle everything?
I totally understand! If you'd prefer your planner to manage the details, I'm happy to work with them directly to ensure everything runs smoothly. However, I do recommend at least one meeting with me—especially if you don't do an engagement session. This helps me get to know you better, so when portrait time arrives on your wedding day, I'll know how the two of you interact, ensuring the photos reflect your natural connection.
How do you handle payments and when are they due?
I get this question a lot, so I'm happy to answer it for you. Based on your selection, you'll pay a 30% retainer upon booking, and the remaining balance is due 2 weeks prior to your date. All of my couples can log into their client portal and apply any amount, big or small, before then. If you want to apply a certain amount at any time before that date, that's completely up to you. Checks must be received on or before the due date; electronic payment is also available.
Do you carry liability insurance?
Sometimes wedding venues want vendors to show proof of liability insurance (a COI, or Certificate of Insurance). If your venue needs this, please give me a minimum of 48 business hours to provide it to your venue.
Do you travel for engagement sessions? When should we do them?
I love it when my couples ask me to photograph them in a location that means something special to them! I recommend booking your engagement session no less than 3 months before your wedding date to avoid stress. Every session is planned with you in mind, and I'm happy to travel to a spot that feels like the two of you.
Do you offer drone photography?
Yes! Drone aerials are available with the Dedicated Third Photographer add-on, who captures drone and detail shots throughout your day while I focus on the main moments. Drone use depends on weather, location, and venue rules.
What is your pricing?
I’m very transparent with my pricing, and it’s always available to you. Please note that prices may change throughout the year. To lock in a price point, an official booking must be made.
How do we book with KHP?
Once I've answered any questions you may have and you've decided my Wedding Experience is exactly what you're looking for, the next step is a booking proposal. I'll create an online proposal that walks you through your collection, and when you're ready, you can save your date by signing your contract and paying your retainer online.