I understand how confusing this can be because many photographers offer packages in the ranges of 6, 8 or 10+ hours. Some just specify “half-day” or “full-day.” And what does that exactly mean? “All day coverage” may mean 12 hours to one photographer, but only 8 hours to another. It’s important to ask specific questions when finding a photographer, so you know exactly what you’re getting.
For standard weddings, I personally recommend 8 hours minimum because it’s just enough time to fit in all the important events (the tail-end getting ready portion of the day through 30-40 mins of dance floor coverage). Here is what a standard 8 hour schedule looks like:
12-8PM Sample Wedding Day Timeline
Getting Ready/Detail Photos: 12PM-2PM
First Look: 2PM
Bridal Party Portraits + Couple Portraits: 2:15PM-3:30PM
Head to Ceremony Location/Couple Hides Away Before Ceremony: 3:30PM-4PM
Ceremony: 4PM-4:30PM
Family photos: 4:30-5/5:15PM
Cocktail Hour: 4:30-5:30PM
Bridal Party Grand Entrance: 5:45PM
Toasts: 6PM
Dinner: 6:15PM
Cake Cutting + First Dances: 7PM
Sunset Couple Portraits (if wanted): 7:30PM
Dance Coverage Ends: 8PM
I have found that anything less than 8 hours is just too stressful for couples (unless they are planning a small, elopement style wedding). Most couples typically expect photos of “everything that would normally be captured” during a wedding day, even if they are picking a 6 hour package. Smashing every activity in that amount of time just isn’t realistic since wedding photography coverage is continuous. Now you may be wondering, well what about 9 or 10 hours? When would you need more time? You may want to consider 9 or 10 hours of coverage if:
-Your ceremony & reception are far away from each other
-You want to photograph a “reception exit” (ex: sparklers, bubbles, etc)
-You have a large wedding party or big family and need more photos than the norm
If you are on the fence about how much coverage you need, too much coverage is far better than too little. You don’t want to be stressing about having not enough time to capture once in a lifetime moments. Sometimes things can get a bit delayed with hair and makeup or any other number of things. Building in a cushion can be a total game changer!
[…] How Many Hours of Wedding Photography Coverage Do You Need? […]