Lots of couples nowadays are choosing to forgo the traditional wedding and elope, or do something different all together! But many couples still go the traditional route. So, this blog applies only to the traditional weddings, and I'll make an elopement-specific version eventually too! I get the question "how many hours of wedding day photography coverage do we actually need?" a LOT.

I put together some example timelines for each of my packages, and hopefully this will help with your decision making for the big day! This is a huge deal and a sizable investment, and you want to make sure you get photos from the day that really matter, and not invest on hours of coverage that you may not need.

6 Hours of Wedding Day Photography Coverage

Unless you're eloping or having a micro-wedding, this is the minimum amount of coverage I always recommend to couples. This option is great for those couples who:

• Are getting ready at the same location
• Don't want getting ready photos
• Don't have a special send-off at the end of the reception (ex: sparkler exit)

6 Hour Example Timeline

2PM - Photography Coverage Begins

2PM - Bride and Bridesmaids Get Ready

3PM - Groom and Groomsmen Get Ready

3:30PM - Details of Ceremony/Venue

4PM - Ceremony

4:30PM - Cocktail Hour / Family Photos

5:30PM - Reception Begins

6PM - Dinner

6:30PM - Sunset Portraits (depending on time of year)

7PM - Dances (Couple + Parents)

7:30PM - Dance Floor Opens

7:45PM - Cake Cutting

8PM - Photographer Departs

8 Hours of Wedding Day Photography Coverage

This is the package that most of my couples go with, because I can arrive a bit early and stay a bit later to ensure I capture every piece of the day! This is great for couples who want:

• Getting ready photos including hair and makeup in the early afternoon
• Couples who aren't getting ready at the same location but both want coverage
• Different ceremony and reception locations
• Lots of dancing photos!

8 Hour Sample Timeline

2PM - Photography Coverage Begins

2PM - Bride and Bridesmaids Get Ready

3PM - Groom and Groomsmen Get Ready

3:30PM - Details of Ceremony/Venue

4PM - Ceremony

4:30PM - Cocktail Hour / Family Photos

5:30PM - Reception Begins

6PM - Dinner

6:30PM - Sunset Portraits (depending on time of year)

7PM - Dances (Couple + Parents)

7:30PM - Dance Floor Opens

7:45PM - Cake Cutting

8PM - Dancing

9:45PM - Sparkler Send Off

10PM - Photographer Departs

If you're planning to do a first look, I recommend starting at 1PM for Bride getting ready, and shift everything forward by an hour. First look would happen before the ceremony, and we can take couple portraits and wedding party photos before the ceremony.

10 Hours of Wedding Day Photography Coverage

There are certain situations where 8 hours of coverage won't be enough as well! Here are a few examples of why you'd want more hours of wedding day coverage:

• You have a church wedding and reception at a different location. This could typically take an hour to get all of the people from the church to the next location depending on how far of a drive it is.
• You include a receiving line
• You're having 2 ceremonies (this could be a morning ceremony and an afternoon ceremony, or you're merging two cultures and include a ceremony for each in the afternoon)

10 Hour Sample Timeline

12PM - Photography Coverage Begins

12PM - Bride and Bridesmaids Hair and Makeup

1PM - Groom and Groomsmen Get Ready

2PM - Bride and Bridesmaids Get Ready / Gown On

2:30PM - Details of Ceremony/Venue

3PM - Optional First Look

3:30PM - Details of Ceremony/Venue

4PM - Ceremony

4:30PM - Cocktail Hour / Family Photos

5:30PM - Reception Begins

6PM - Dinner

6:30PM - Sunset Portraits (depending on time of year)

7PM - Dances (Couple + Parents)

7:30PM - Dance Floor Opens

7:45PM - Cake Cutting

8PM - Dancing

9:45PM - Sparkler Send Off

10PM - Photographer Departs

I hope this helps you to decide on what is most important to you and your partner! It's all about you two at the end of the day. My biggest tip? Google to see what time sunset will be on your wedding day, and plan backwards from that. If you're having a late Fall or Winter wedding, you don't want a ceremony any later than 4PM because you'll be in the dark, and won't get any sunset pics. Those are my favorite and end up usually being my couples favorite photos too!

Check out my other post about whether or not to add on a second shooter if you're unsure as well. Typically this happens with 8 or 10 hour weddings.