How Many Hours Of Photography Coverage You Really Need

Wedding Tips

Jan 22

Written By Shayla Brown | owner of Fortheloved Photography

Your Guide to Choosing the Perfect Photography Timeline for Your Big Day

If you’re having a difficult time figuring out how long to book your wedding photographer, this is just for YOU! I’m going to break down how many hours of photography coverage you really need for your wedding day, so you can have confidence that everything you want captured will be accomplished on your special day! If this helps you in any way, comment below and let me know :)

think about your guest count

When choosing how many hours to hire a wedding photographer, one of the first thing to think about is how many guests will be attending your wedding. Larger weddings often involve extended family and group portraits, which require more coordination and coverage time. A higher guest count also means more candid moments to document throughout the event, necessitating additional hours or even a second photographer.

A GENERAL GUIDELINE

Below is the amount of time most photographers will suggest to their clients, depending on the size of the wedding and events needed captured:
4-6 Hours: Small/intimate weddings, elopements, or limited coverage.
8 Hours: Best for most traditional weddings with a single-location timeline.
10-12 Hours: For full-day storytelling, including prep to send-off and multiple locations.
Let’s break it down even more…

4-6 HOURS: FOR SMALL, INTIMATE WEDDINGS

Ideal for: Elopements, micro-weddings, or couples skipping some traditional events.

What’s Covered:

Getting Ready (Optional): The bride and groom preparing, or just the final touches.
Ceremony: Full coverage of the ceremony, including guest arrivals and details.
Couples Portraits: A short session immediately after the ceremony.
Family and Group Photos: Essential posed shots with close family and friends.
Reception: Limited coverage of key moments like toasts, the first dance, or cake cutting.

8 HOURS: FOR TRADITIONAL WEDDING DAYS

Ideal for: Traditional weddings with a slightly condensed schedule.

What’s Covered:

Getting Ready: Final stages of preparation, such as the bride’s makeup touch-ups and the groom suiting up.
First Look (Optional): A private moment between the couple before the ceremony.
Ceremony: Full ceremony coverage.
Couples Portraits: Dedicated time for creative portraits of the couple.
Family and Group Photos: Formal photos with family and bridal party.
Reception: Highlights like toasts, first dance, parent dances, cake cutting, and some open dance floor moments.

10+ HOURS: FOR FULL DAY COVERAGE

Ideal for: Large weddings or couples who want every detail captured.

What’s Covered:

Getting Ready: Full coverage of the morning preparations for both the bride and groom, including candid moments with bridal parties or family.
First Look (Optional): A quiet, emotional moment captured privately.
Ceremony: Detailed coverage of the full ceremony, including the guests and venue details.
Couples Portraits: Ample time for multiple locations or creative shots.
Family and Group Photos: Extended time for group combinations.
Reception: Comprehensive coverage of dinner, toasts, first dances, and extended party dancing, often including a grand exit (e.g., sparklers).
Extra Events: Coverage of pre-ceremony activities or after-party moments.