Charleston Wedding Photography FAQ
Answers to the questions couples ask most often about Charleston wedding photography, pricing, coverage, and what it’s like to work together.
What areas does Leigh Hayward Photography serve?
Leigh Hayward Photography is based in Charleston, South Carolina, and photographs weddings throughout the greater Charleston area, including Mount Pleasant, Isle of Palms, Daniel Island, Johns Island, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Island. Leigh also regularly travels to Beaufort, Hilton Head Island, and Savannah, and is available for destination weddings beyond the Lowcountry.
How much does a Charleston wedding photographer cost?
Wedding photography collections with Leigh Hayward begin at $7,997, with most couples investing around $9,997 for full wedding weekend coverage. Elopement coverage begins at $2,400, and portrait sessions including proposals, engagement sessions, and family portraits are $800. Every wedding collection is created through a custom proposal built around your celebration and the way you want your day documented.
How long has Leigh Hayward been photographing weddings?
Leigh has been photographing weddings since 2006, bringing more than 20 years of professional experience to every celebration. That experience shows up as a calm, intentional presence on a wedding day: natural direction, clear communication, and an intuitive sense of when to step in and when to step back.
Which Charleston wedding venues has Leigh photographed?
Leigh has photographed weddings at many of Charleston’s most sought-after venues, including Lowndes Grove, Governor Thomas Bennett House, Boone Hall Plantation, Runnymede Plantation, Middleton Place, The Gadsden House, Legare Waring House, The Cedar Room, William Aiken House, Magnolia Plantation, The Ocean Course at Kiawah, and Old Wide Awake Plantation.
Her familiarity with these venues means she already knows the logistics, light, and best opportunities for portraits, so there’s less time spent figuring things out and more time focused on documenting your day.
What are some of Leigh’s favorite Charleston wedding venues?
Leigh is fortunate to photograph weddings throughout Charleston and the Lowcountry, and there are so many venues she loves for different reasons. A few of her favorites include Lowndes Grove, Cannon Green, The Cedar Room, Middleton Place, The Ocean Course at Kiawah, and Seabrook Island Club.
She especially loves venues that offer a strong sense of place—whether that’s historic architecture, beautiful gardens, waterfront views, or an atmosphere that gives couples plenty of room for both editorial portraits and genuine, candid moments.
Does Leigh photograph elopements and engagement sessions?
Yes. Alongside full weddings, Leigh photographs intimate Charleston elopements, engagement and couples sessions, proposal photography, and multi-day wedding weekends. Elopement coverage is designed for couples who want a private, intentional day, photographed with the same editorial approach as a full wedding.
What does the booking process look like?
It begins with a relaxed conversation to understand your vision, your priorities, and the people and moments that matter most to you. From there, Leigh creates a custom proposal designed around your celebration. After your wedding, your story is delivered as a curated online gallery, with the option to create heirloom albums and fine art prints.
What style of wedding photography does Leigh shoot?
Editorial, documentary, and film-inspired. Leigh blends editorial portraits with documentary storytelling, capturing genuine moments while providing gentle direction when needed. Her signature editing style is light, bright, and film-inspired, with romantic tones that feel refined and true to life. The result is an elegant collection of photographs that feels effortless, emotional, and never trend-driven.
