Advice on which wedding collection to book with your photographer.

How Much Wedding Photography Coverage Do I Need?

How many hours do you need to book your wedding photographer?

Planning your wedding is filled with important decisions, and choosing how much wedding photography coverage you need is one of them. One of the questions I am asked frequently is how many hours of wedding photography do I need? The answer is that it comes down to what is most important to you and your partner!

As your wedding photographer, my goal is to make sure we capture all the moments that matter most to you. Before you book a photography collection, I’ll guide you through selecting the right amount of coverage to make the best decision for your day based on whether or not you want to have all the perfect getting-ready images, a first look, or all your family and friends out on the dance floor!

Here’s a breakdown of different photography coverage options to help you figure out what might work best for your wedding.

How much wedding photography coverage do you need

Six Hours of Wedding Photography Coverage

Booking a photographer for six hours is best when everything happens at one location. I will recommend this option if you are planning on not doing a first look and you don’t mind your timeline is going to be tight. If you are planning to take your couples portraits and family portraits during cocktail hour six hours is usually enough time. I would focus on only the key moments like the ceremony, portraits, family photos, and important reception events early on in the evening.

If you’re looking to cover just the essentials or planning a micro wedding six hours might be the right fit!

Seven Hours of Wedding Day Coverage

Seven hours is ideal if you need a little more flexibility in your timeline. If you have two locations for your ceremony and reception or plan to do a first look I would recommend at least seven hours of coverage. This will give us time to take portraits before the ceremony with a little more flexibility. However, coverage may be limited when it comes to getting-ready moments or capturing the entire reception. This option is great for couples who want to make sure all the essential moments are captured with just a bit more time.

Wedding party portraits at Mountain Top Inn

Eight-Hour Wedding Day

An eight-hour wedding day timeline is my most popular collection. This is perfect for couples wanting a more relaxed timeline or weddings with multiple locations. It’s great for couples who want to capture the full experience of their day, from getting ready details to the dance floor. Eight hours gives us the flexibility to cover all the formalities, and candid cocktail hour moments, and more time to soak it all in without feeling rushed. Learn more about taking great getting-ready portraits!

Ten-Hour Wedding Day Timeline

For those planning a longer day with a lot of moving parts, ten hours provides the most comprehensive photography coverage. This includes travel between multiple locations, extended ceremonies, and special moments like a final dance or morning preparations. If you don’t want to miss a single detail, this is the option for you! Learn more about creating your wedding day timeline and shot list.

Custom Wedding Photography Collections

While eight hours is my most popular package, I also offer custom collections to fit your unique needs. Whether your celebration is short and intimate or an all-day affair with several locations, we can create a package that ensures everything important to you is covered.

When you book with me, we’ll work together to create a personalized timeline that captures your vision. I’ll help you figure out the logistics, coordinate a timeline, and adjust the plan as needed. My priority is to document your day exactly the way you want it—so you can focus on making memories, knowing every moment is taken care of.