How Many Hours of Photography Coverage Do We Need for Our Wedding?
You hear this question and you start to sweat. I get it. It’s a bit daunting to hire a photographer when you don’t know what you actually need.
Are 8 hours of coverage enough to photograph your wedding day? Or do you need closer to 10 hours? Could I really need 12 hours (yes. some clients do!).
The amount of photography coverage you need for your wedding affects who you can hire because it affects your total photography budget.
So how many hours do YOU need?
Every wedding day is totally different, however, most couples need between 8 – 10 hours of photography coverage to make sure the getting ready portion of the day through the dance floor opening are photographed. Anything less than 7 hours of coverage and you will begin to feel rushed, and really…who wants that on their best day ever?
If you are struggling to figure out how many hours are perfect for your wedding day, this blog post is for you. I am breaking down two different wedding timelines so you can see how your wedding day might look and the number of hours you will need.
PRO TIP : Most photographers will let you add additional hours of coverage on throughout the planning process, so if you aren’t sure exactly how many hours you think you will need when you hire a wedding photographer, don’t fret. You can always start with less and add on what you need.
Below are sample times for an 8-hour wedding with a first look and 10-hour wedding without a first look. These two scenarios tend to be what most of my couples are working with.
EIGHT HOURS | FIRST LOOK AT ONE LOCATION
Eight hours of wedding coverage tends to be the minimum number of hours a couple needs when everything is happening at the same location. This allows plenty of time for getting ready photos and party photos of your guests on the dance floor. If you will be getting ready off-site or want to take photos at another location, you may want to add another 1-2 hours of coverage to allow for travel times.
1:00 pm | Photographer arrives at the bride’s getting ready location to photograph the finishing touches of everyone getting ready
During this time, we will also capture the final touches of the groom and groomsmen getting ready
2:30 pm | First-look and bride + groom photos
3:30 pm | Wedding party photos
4:00 pm | Family Photos
4:30 pm | Ceremony decor + details photographed; formal portraits complete
4:40 pm | Candids as guests arrive
5:00 pm | Ceremony
5:30 pm | Extended family photos; cocktail hour starts
6:15 pm | Reception decor + details photographed
6:30 pm | Introductions
6:45 pm | Dinner served
7:00 pm | Speeches
7:20 pm | Cake-cutting
8:00 pm | Sunset photos
8:15 pm | First dance
8:25 pm | Dance floor opens
9:00 pm | Photography coverage ends
TEN HOURS | TRADITIONAL CEREMONY + RECEPTION LOCATION DIFFERENT
Ten hours typically works best for weddings that will take place at two locations like a church and then a reception venue. It gives you full day wedding coverage and allows extra time for travel times, multiple photo locations and/or it is great for large wedding parties or big families where you need a lot of photos.
11:30 am | Photographer arrives at the bride’s getting ready location to photograph the finishing touches of everyone getting ready
During this time, we will also capture the final touches of the groom and groomsmen getting ready
1:00 pm | Drive to ceremony
1:30 pm | Arrive at ceremony location
1:30 pm | Candids as guests arrive
2:00 pm | Ceremony
3:00 pm | Family Photos
3:30 pm | Drive to outdoor photo location
4:00 pm | Wedding Party Photos
4:30 pm | Bride + Groom Photos
5:00 pm | Drive to the reception venue
5:30 pm | Cocktail hour
6:15 pm | Reception decor + details
6:45 pm | Introductions
7:00 pm | Dinner served
7:15 pm | Speeches
7:30 pm | Cake-cutting
8:00pm | Sunset photos
8:15 pm | First-dances
8:20 pm | Dance floor opens
9:30pm | Photography coverage ends