Are 6 Hours of Wedding Photography Enough?

When couples hire photographers for their weddings, one of the most common questions they ask is, "How many hours of coverage do we need?" Because this is most likely your first time organising a wedding, you probably have no idea what you will require and don't even know where to begin figuring it out. If this is the case, don't worry! You want to make sure that all of the important aspects of your day are covered, but at the same time, you don't want to waste your valuable wedding budget on hours of photography that you don't require. If you need advice on your wedding photography, check out our photography packages and services at Wild Romantic Photography.

The first thing you'll need to do before you can start looking for a wedding photographer is to come up with a ballpark estimate of the number of wedding photography hours you'll require. Because no two weddings are alike, the answer to this question will be different for virtually every couple, but the majority of weddings take between eight and ten hours to complete. This question's response will be influenced by a variety of factors, including the number of venues and the distances between them, the size of the bridal party and the family, and the aspects of the wedding day that are most meaningful to the couple getting married.

Because this is most likely your first time organising a wedding, you probably have no idea what you will require and don't even know where to begin figuring it out. If this is the case, don't worry! You want to make sure that all of the important aspects of your day are covered, but at the same time, you don't want to waste your valuable wedding budget on hours of photography that you don't require.

Because we want to do everything we can to make your lives easier, here is a guide that will help you determine how many hours of wedding photography coverage you need for your big day.

How many hours of wedding photography do you need?

When you start looking for a wedding photographer and read through the various wedding collections that they offer, you will notice that the majority of wedding photographers offer several different wedding collections that are based on the amount of time that has passed since the couple got engaged. However, if this is your first time getting married, how can you possibly know how long you will need your photographer for? Today, by asking you just four questions, I will assist you in determining the level of wedding photography coverage that will best meet your needs.

Questions to ask

• Do you plan on making a big entrance when it's time to leave for the night, and do you want the photographer to capture it?
• Are the wedding and the reception going to take place in the same location?
• Are you able to take a quick peek?
• And how important are pictures of you getting ready to be taken?

Let's discuss the reasons why the answers to those questions have an impact on the amount of wedding photography coverage you require.

Are you doing a grand exit at the end of the night?

The conclusion of the coverage will be determined by whether or not you do a grand exit and want the photographer to capture it. Therefore, if you know that your door will be closing at 10, you can work backwards from that time; if you are not planning on having a grand exit, you should budget for the photographer to be present at the reception for a period of two hours. In most cases, this is sufficient to cover the entrance, the cutting of the cake, the dances, and the toast; however, after a certain amount of time, photos of everyone dancing start to look the same.

Are the Ceremony and Reception in the same location? 

There are many wonderful venues in Indianapolis, such as the Mustard Seed Gardens, that serve dual purposes and allow you to perform both functions in the same location. Have your wedding under the venerable oak tree, and then have the reception in the big red barn! It will save you a great deal of time if the wedding ceremony and reception are held in the same location. People are never aware of what they need to bring with them, where it is located, where they are going, or where to park once they arrive at their destination. That drivetime can cut into portrait time, and if you only booked 5 or 6 hours, every minute counts!

Do You Have a First Look?

On the day of your wedding, before the ceremony begins, you and your soon-to-be spouse will have a private moment to see each other and have photographs taken of the moment. What difference would this make to the amount of time that you need to book with your wedding photographer? The traditional time for taking wedding portraits, as well as pictures of the bridal party and the family, is between the ceremony and the reception.

To keep your guests occupied during this time when you and your bridal party are busy with the photographer, the cocktail hour is traditionally served during this time. If you choose to have a first look before the ceremony, you will also have the opportunity to take all of your bridal portraits and photos with the bridal party. Leaving you free to proceed immediately from the ceremony to the reception where you can mingle with your guests. Coverage that will save you one hour of your time.

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How Vital Are You Getting Ready Photos to You?

The morning of the wedding involves a lot of preparation, but it typically just consists of getting hair and makeup done and drinking mimosas. This is a time for you and all of your bridesmaids to take it easy by reminiscing about the good old days, listening to music, putting on your dresses, and laughing together. Before the official start of the day, this presents a wonderful opportunity to take some candid pictures of you and your friends having fun together before the day proper begins. Given that it usually takes at least an hour to photograph the getting ready portion of the day, it is a good idea to evaluate the significance of these photographs to you before beginning the process. Even though the pictures help tell the story of your wedding day, especially in the album, these photos are rarely shared online because they have gone through hair or makeup before being taken. This is because of the privacy concerns associated with these processes.

6 hours of Wedding Day Coverage

Although this is the package that is typically offered by photographers at the lowest price, this does not necessarily mean that it is only appropriate for couples who have limited financial resources. For intimate ceremonies and elopements, a coverage time of six hours should be sufficient. Things have a tendency to move more quickly when marriages are small and intimate because there are fewer people to coordinate and photograph. However, in order for the 6-hour coverage to be feasible from a logistical standpoint, both the ceremony and the reception must take place at the same venue.

We strongly encourage couples to have at least six hours of photography coverage for their wedding day, unless they are planning to elope or have an intimate dinner instead of a wedding reception. The following are some instances in which having a photographer present for six hours during a wedding would be an excellent choice.

• Both the ceremony and the reception will take place at the same venue.
• You do not want to prepare for the photos at all.
• You are not going to have a dramatic exit from the reception, nor do you require a large number of dancing photos.

Things to consider

• 6 hours of coverage almost certainly means that there won't be much (or any) time for detail shots of the decor or design, or photos of you getting ready before the event.
• On the other hand, there will be coverage of every single significant moment (portraits, ceremony, family photos, first dance, cake cutting)
• With only six hours of coverage, the night will end much sooner than expected, and as a result, it is likely that there will not be many photos taken of the reception once the dancing begins.

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8 hours of Wedding Day Coverage

The extra two hours of coverage will usually allow the photographer to capture the tail end of you getting ready, some detailed shots of the reception space, and the beginning of the dance party. An 8-hour package is usually enough time for an average-size wedding (about 100-150 people), and the extra two hours of coverage will usually allow for an average-size wedding.

The most comprehensive coverage available, eight hours of wedding photography will document the entirety of the wedding day for the majority of couples. Here are a few scenarios in which it is highly likely that you will require 8 hours of coverage for your wedding photography!

• Both the ceremony and the reception will take place in separate locations.
• You will want to take an initial look.
• You should take pictures of guests getting ready as well as a lot of people dancing.

Things to consider

• If you are dead set on doing a first look, we strongly advise that you have coverage for a minimum of eight hours.
• It may seem like a lot of time, but this plan is ideal for weddings in which both the ceremony and reception take place at the same location. You don't want to waste 30 or 40 minutes on your photographer having to pack up her/his gear and drive to (and set back up at) a second location because the additional two hours give the photographer just enough time to take a few getting ready, detail, and dancing shots. This is because the additional two hours give the photographer just enough time to take these shots.

10 hours of Wedding Day Coverage

You don't want to feel rushed on your wedding day to get all of the photos that are Pinterest-worthy that everyone wants, do you? If this is the case, a minimum of ten hours of coverage is the way to go. Because the photographers will be present for the majority of the day, there will be sufficient time to capture all of the preparation and detail shots, in addition to having plenty of spare time for the first look (if you want to do one). In addition to this, nobody will need to rush through any of the wedding party portraits or family photos in order to get to the reception in time for dinner and dancing.

Imagine that you have a spectacular exit scheduled for ten. If that is the case, your ceremony starts at two, your reception is not held at the same location as your ceremony, you are not doing a first look, and getting ready photos are very important to you. In that case, I would recommend hiring a photographer for more than ten hours to cover your event. The ceremony begins at 2 p.m., and the reception ends at 10 p.m., for a total of 8 hours; add another 2 hours for getting ready photos for a total of 10 hours.

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It's possible that 8 hours of wedding photography won't be enough to capture the entirety of your big day in some circumstances. Listed below are a few scenarios in which you might require ten or even more hours of coverage from your wedding photographer.

• There will be a pause in the festivities before the start of the reception due to the conclusion of the ceremony (familiar with church weddings)
• You are going to have two different ceremonies (such as a morning tea ceremony and a traditional afternoon or evening ceremony)
• You are expecting a large number of guests and would like to conduct table visits or a receiving line (both of which typically take between 30 and 45 minutes each).

Things to consider

• We recommend booking a photographer for a minimum of ten hours if the wedding ceremony and reception are taking place in separate locations. This provides the photographer with sufficient time to move to the next location while still capturing all of the necessary shots.
• Are you preparing for a spectacular departure? In most cases, 10 hours is not sufficient to have a photographer present until the very end of the reception, and this is true even if you are willing to forego coverage during the earlier hours of the event.

12 hours of Wedding Day Coverage

There are a few reasons why you and your partner would benefit from having coverage for a full twelve hours. This amount of coverage is almost essential if there is a large wedding party because not only is it more than enough time to capture all of the day's details, but it is also more than enough time to accommodate everyone in the wedding party (bridal parties of 12 or more).

Things to consider

• We typically advise booking 12 hours of coverage for a wedding with a large number of guests, including both family and friends. Why? When everyone is in "party mode," it can be difficult to get and keep people's attention (not to mention that it can be difficult to find and get the right people in the right place at the right time!). When everyone is in "party mode," it can also be challenging to find and get the right people in the right place at the right time.
• It would be a shame if all of those design details weren't photographed, especially if you're really into the design and have the budget to make all of those ideas you found on Pinterest into reality. Therefore, if you want to have the wedding signs, custom cocktails, and lounges that everybody dreams of, we recommend having 12 hours of coverage to make sure that every design detail gets the attention it deserves!

Hopefully, these timelines give you a place to start as you're determining how many hours of wedding photography you need and how to put together your timeline. If your debating between doing a first-look or not, check out these sample wedding day timelines with versus without a first-look as well. 

It is common practise for engaged couples to create a timeline for their wedding day in order to ensure that there is sufficient time to photograph all of the most significant events, people, and details. However, even having a rough answer to the question "how many hours of wedding photography do you need?" can be helpful when booking your wedding photographer. Download my free wedding day timeline worksheet by clicking the button below to get a worksheet with step-by-step instructions for putting together your timeline. Create lasting memories through your Yarra Valley wedding photography that will be cherished forever.

Sample Timelines for Six, Eight, and Ten Hours of Photography Coverage

Six Hours Of Photography – 4:30 pm Ceremony Start Time

In most cases, this will cover the last few minutes of getting ready and the first few minutes of the open dance floor.

2:00 pm 

The photographer travels to the bridal suite or other location where the bride is getting ready in order to take pictures of the bride's bridal details and the finishing touches she applies.

2:30 pm

Photos of the first look as well as the bride and groom

3:00 pm

Pictures of the wedding party

3:30 pm

Family Photos

3:50 pm

Ceremony and reception decor 

4:00 pm

Candids as guests arrive.

4:30 pm

Ceremony 

5:00 pm

Family photos as the reception starts

5:30 pm

Candids of reception & set-up time 

6:00 pm

The grand entrance of the wedding party

6:15 pm

Dinner served

7:00 pm

Speeches

7:20 pm

Cake-cutting

7:30 pm 

First-dances

7:45 pm

Tossing the garter and the bouquet

7:55 pm

Dance floor opens 

8:00 pm

Photography coverage ends

Eight Hours Of Photography – 4:30 pm Ceremony Start Time

The following illustration illustrates how adding an additional hour before and after the ceremony might look like in practise. This makes it possible to take more photos of the bridal party getting ready (including the time before the dress is put on and details) as well as more photos of the dance floor. There is also the possibility of incorporating both additional hours prior to the ceremony. If there will be a large bridal party, if you absolutely must have photographs of the dress hanging, or if the two of you will be getting ready in different locations, this may be a good idea to consider. Last but not least, you have the option of adding both additional hours after the ceremony if you plan to carry out a specific exit at the end of the evening.

1:00 pm

The photographer reports to the bridal suite or other location designated for the bride's preparations in order to take photographs of the bride and her bridesmaids getting ready.

2:30 pm

Photos of the first look as well as the bride and groom

3:00 pm

Wedding party photos

3:30 pm

Family Photos

3:50 pm

Decorations for the ceremony and the reception

4:00 pm

Candids as guests arrive.

4:30 pm

Ceremony 

5:00 pm 

Taking pictures of the family before the reception begins

5:30 pm

Candids of reception & set-up time 

6:00 pm

The wedding party makes their spectacular entrance.

6:15 pm

Dinner served

7:00 pm

Speeches

7:20 pm

Cake-cutting

7:30 pm

First-dances

7:45 pm

Tossing the garter and the bouquet

7:55 pm

Dance floor opens 

8:15 pm

Sunset photos

9:00pm

The photography coverage has come to an end.

Ten Hours Of Photography – 4:30 pm Ceremony Start Time

With ten hours, the entire day can be captured, from getting ready with hair and makeup to a specific exit (if that's what the client wants). Adding more time also means adding a little bit more buffer room, which allows for more location changes, larger wedding parties, larger family groups, or additional events to be accommodated.

12:00 pm

When the photographer arrives, photograph the bridal details as well as the bride's dress and the dresses of the bridesmaids.

12:40 pm

The bride and her attendants are finishing up their hair and makeup while candid photos are taken.

1:00 pm

The groom and his attendants complete getting dressed, and one last photo session of them getting ready is taken.

1:30 pm

The bride and her attendants get dressed, and then we take the final getting ready pictures.

2:15 pm

First-look and bride & groom photos

3:00 pm

Wedding party photos

3:30 pm

Family Photos

3:50 pm

Ceremony and reception decor 

4:15 pm

candid photographs taken as guests arrive.

4:30 pm

Ceremony begins

5:00 pm

Following the conclusion of the ceremony, family photographs are taken before the reception or cocktail hour begins.

5:30 pm

Candids of reception & set-up time 

6:00 pm

The wedding party makes their spectacular entrance.

6:15 pm

Dinner served

7:00 pm

Speeches

7:20 pm

Cake-cutting

7:30 pm

First-dances

7:45 pm

Garter toss & bouquet toss

7:55 pm

Dance floor opens 

8:15 pm

Bride and groom sunset photos 

9:45 pm

Couple's reception exit

10:00 pm

The photography coverage has come to an end.

It is my hope that these sample timelines will provide you with a foundation upon which to build your own wedding photography timeline and help you determine how many hours of wedding photography coverage you require. If you're debating between doing a first-look or not, check out these sample wedding day timelines with versus without a first-look as well.

Recommendations

Imagine that you have a spectacular exit scheduled for ten. In that case, your ceremony is at 2, your ceremony and reception are not at the same location, you're not doing a first look, and getting ready photos are very important to you; we would recommend 10+ hours of coverage. The ceremony begins at 2 p.m., and the reception ends at 10 p.m., for a total of 8 hours; add another 2 hours for getting ready photos for a total of 10 hours. If you’d like to work with professional photographers for your wedding, book with us at Wild Romantic Photography.

Eight hours of coverage is sufficient for successfully capturing the majority of weddings. Because of this, we will have about an hour to take photos of you getting ready, which will be perfect because most of the other girls will be finished with their hair and makeup by that time, and we will be able to photograph you putting on the dress. The majority of couples make the decision to do a first look, but with eight hours of coverage, the schedule won't be thrown off if you decide that it's not the best option for you and your partner. This brings us to the ceremony, after which we have an hour and a half to capture all of the family photos, photos of the bridal party, and portraits of the happy couple before we head to the reception. Document all of the events, including the entrance, the first dances, the cutting of the cake, the toasts, and all of your guests' incredible drunken dance moves. As was mentioned earlier, the ideal amount of coverage for the vast majority of weddings is eight hours.

You may choose to do a first look and forego any ready photos if you do not have a grand exit, if your ceremony is held in the same location as your reception, or if you do not have a grand entrance. Only five or six hours of coverage ought to be sufficient for your needs.