Is 6 Hours of Wedding Photography Enough?

Wedding photographers are often asked, "How many hours of coverage do we need?" If this is your first time planning a wedding, you may not know how many hours of coverage you will need or even where to begin trying to figure it out. In this instance, you shouldn't fret.

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and you want to make sure that every part of it is recorded forever. At the same time, you don't want to blow your wedding budget on unneeded photographic services.

We want to help make things easier for you, so here is our guide to how many hours of wedding photography coverage you really need for your wedding day. If you need advice on your wedding photography, check out our photography packages and services at Wild Romantic Photography.

There are a lot of things to consider while organising a wedding, and you may find yourself asking questions you hadn't even considered before. With no prior experience, you are now expected to know all there is to know about planning an event, from knowing which flowers are in season to being aware of how much money should be set aside for the event. Because the question "Wait... how many hours do we need to book our photographer for?" is bound to come up at some point, we figured now would be a good time to give you a handy reference for it.

6 hours of Wedding Day Coverage

Although this is the package most photographers provide for the lowest price, that doesn't imply it's exclusively suitable for couples on a tight budget. Six hours of coverage should be plenty to capture all the important moments during small weddings and elopements. The ceremony and reception can be wrapped up more quickly when there are fewer guests to manage and photograph. The 6-hour coverage, however, requires that the ceremony and reception occur at the same location.

Things to consider

• The length of the show (6 hours) means that there won't be time for any close-ups of the decorations or designs, or any images of you getting ready.
• However, everything that matters will be discussed (portraits, ceremony, family photos, first dance, cake cutting)
• Due of the short duration of the reception (6 hours), it is likely that there will be few photographs taken once the dancing begins.

How many hours do we need our wedding photographer?

Most wedding photographers base their pricing on the number of hours of coverage you'll need for your big day. But most engaged couples, especially at the outset of wedding preparations, have no idea how many hours they would need. Planning your dream wedding and don’t want to miss out on the special moments on your big day? Worry no more, Wild Romantic Photography has you covered.

We have put together a simple guide and also want to share our top 5 points to consider when determining wedding photography hours needed:

THINK IN TERMS OF “EVENTS”

Think about the moments you'd like photographed at the wedding. What is your preference for the wedding photographer's start point: the ceremony site or the hotel where the happy couple is getting ready? Is it a romantic sparkler send-off you're after, or do you want the photographer to catch some crazy antics on the dance floor (again, some of the funniest)? You can estimate the number of hours you'll require a photographer by deciding which activities are most crucial.

There's no one size fits all for a wedding. The length of time you should employ a wedding photographer for depends on a number of factors, including the number of venues, the photographer's travel time, and the length of the event itself. In my line of work, I advise future spouses on the best wedding photography package to meet their needs. I examine their planned activities and enquire as to their primary areas of focus (and how much they want to pay). Helpful for the happy couple, this page provides estimates for how long various photographic tasks will take.

Groom Preparation Photos

Because most grooms already know how to properly put on a suit and do not need their hair or makeup done, grooms often need less time to get ready. Since they need to get there before the bride, they will have to leave early.

We have an exclusive range of wedding photography Mornington Peninsula services. Check them out here. 

Bridal Preparation Photos

As a rule, ladies need more time than gents to get ready on the big day. It takes time to change into an attractive wedding gown and to have a professional do your hair and makeup. For the best shots of the bride getting ready, plan on spending at least 90 minutes. Extending the time is recommended if you want more elaborately staged photographs, have a large wedding party, or both.

Optional: Bride Reveal Portraits

It is increasingly usual for a secret bride reveal photo shoot to precede the wedding ceremony. Although it's not for everyone, having the ceremony and reception on the same day can help some people minimise the time between the two events. Though it's not for everyone, it's a fantastic option for a select few. As for the rest of us, it's a great opportunity to take some magnificent alternative images that transform a public sight into something endearing and personal.

Time required to complete bridal photos is ultimately determined by their purpose. If you want to minimise the time between the ceremony and the reception without sacrificing quality photographs, I suggest allocating at least sixty to ninety minutes for the bride reveal images. You can take some of the more traditional photographs with and/or without the wedding party and/or family members, in addition to getting some cute portraits of the bride getting ready to reveal her dress.

That's a win-win for both parties. If the reveal is for no other reason than to make a public occasion private and personal, you can spend as little as ten to thirty minutes on it. This will allow you to focus on portraiture at a later date.

Portraits

Your wedding photographer will have the greatest creative freedom during this period, and it's one of my favourite moments to capture. the opportunity to capture those priceless family photos, bridal party shots, and candid, sentimental moments. Take use of the stunning backdrops for your ceremony, reception, and everywhere in the venue.

Then tell them it's okay to leave while we photograph the bridal party, and then tell them it's okay to leave entirely while we snap a few more photos of you two alone. You can take as much time as you like with each topic, but ideally I'd have about 90 minutes to shoot portrait photographs.

The extra time is warranted in this instance, in my opinion. You may use a bridal reveal to take more photographs before the wedding, or you could sneak away during the reception for some "golden hour," sunset, or twilight shots. We can choose between these two reasonable possibilities.

The Reception

If you're feeling nervous about how to act on such a momentous occasion, save it for the reception. There are a number of noteworthy events that take place during a wedding reception, including the cutting of the cake, the first dance, the speeches, the tossing of the bouquet, and the exit. Remember, too, that this is a great time to take some natural photos of the people who are sharing your joy on this wonderful day.

If you're worried about the cost or logistics of having your photographer spend the whole reception taking pictures, I suggest setting aside no more than thirty to sixty minutes for them to capture the best moments at the reception venue. Photos of the "fake" cake cutting and first dance, as well as close-ups of the beautiful decor and set-up that you've laboured over, will be available to you.

If you plan ahead, you can do all of these without having to pay your photographer to stay for an extra 3–6 hours. Inquire about the day-of or evening schedule from the reception location if you'd want the photographer to stay later to capture all the special moments. That will give you the best idea of how long to have your photographer stay at the reception to make sure they get all of the shots you want.

PRICE RANGE FOR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

In most cases, the wedding's theme must conform to the couple's budget (ew, finances). You may have to make some adjustments if you wish to hire a photographer for the entire wedding day but your finances do not permit it. Finding a more affordable photographer or negotiating a lower rate per hour might help you save money. If you're getting your picture taken, you don't want to become a horror story for one of the many amateur photographers out there. Like most items, you get what you paid for. A marriage is a permanent partnership that can never be broken.

If you must pick, spend less time with your hired photographer. We agree that even average photography taken by a pro is preferable to none at all. You might want to reevaluate how much money you're willing to put into your photography. Is it possible for you to switch up the groupings? Don't tie the knot if you're just going to squander the money on meaningless accoutrements. How much would it matter in 10 years if you only got two pieces of cake instead of three, or if you used normal cutlery instead of rose gold flatware? The photographs taken at your wedding will be treasured heirlooms even after ten years have passed.

Our exclusive range of Melbourne wedding photography will help you not miss a thing on your wedding day.

HOW LONG THE CEREMONY WILL LAST AND HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE FOR RECEPTION

The photographer's coverage time will be determined by how long your ceremony and reception are. A civil ceremony may be held in as little as twenty to thirty minutes, but a wedding in a Catholic church can take well over an hour. Let's assume you want to remember the first dance, the toasts, and the cutting of the cake at your reception through images. Your wedding photography service's wrap-up time will be modified based on when these activities wrap up. Your officiant or priest, as well as the event's organiser, should be able to give you an idea of how the day is usually structured.

Typical modern ceremonies are about twenty to thirty minutes, but some might last up to an hour. This is something you must decide as part of your routine. Images such as certificate signing, a group photo of guests, and you being congratulated as you go down the aisle may require extra time following the ceremony. Please add at least forty to sixty minutes to your ceremony's scheduled time for the sake of safety. Twenty to thirty minutes will be needed for me to arrive early, set up, and begin photographing the guests, the location, and the groom. After that, set around an extra 20-30 minutes for visitors to pose for pictures, make speeches, give hugs, and sign certificates.

PLACES TO HOST THE WEDDING AND MOVIES

Your wedding photographer will work the entire time that they are supposed to. Really, the only time they won't be filming is when they're travelling to and from other sites.

One hour of your photography coverage hours will be immediately allocated to travel time if the ceremony location is more than 30 minutes from the location where you will be getting ready for the ceremony, and if the ceremony location is more than 30 minutes from the venue where you will be having your reception.

Consider the photographer's travel time when deciding how long to employ them for your wedding.

We now have flight times! The importance of include travel time is often disregarded. Even a delay of ten or fifteen minutes might have a significant impact on your photography schedule. Time spent travelling there and back should be included in after selecting how long you want to spend taking photographs. You can estimate how long you'll need a wedding photographer by adding up all the times you'll need one. Don't forget to factor in time spent getting there and parking.

We have the best wedding photographer in Yarra Valley to capture your beautiful moments on your wedding day. 

PADDING TIME

Leave it alone! Indeed, what you are expressing is crucial. You should provide buffer time to each stage of your wedding timetable. Whether it's a wardrobe malfunction for the flower girl, a long speech, or a guest disappearing during the family picture session, something is bound to go wrong and throw off your carefully crafted timetable.

Your photographer will have to arrive at the venue at the same time as you. Unlike the bride, who may just be dropped off at the wedding door and start walking down the aisle, your photographer will need time to park, transport equipment to the ceremony area, have a brief talk with the celebrant or priest, and snap shots of the details, guests, and groom waiting. Make sure the photographer has plenty of time to take pictures before the big day.

Weddings also need extra time and effort. Ten minutes is not nearly enough time to go from the ceremony to the location where the bride's photographs will be taken. It's not always simple to get in and out of a car (particularly for the bride in a large dress), what with trying to dodge your wonderful guests who want to continue greeting you, collecting up bridal party members, and arranging with transport drivers (especially if the bride is in a big gown). Keep in mind that breaking in a pair of new heels may add a few minutes to your estimated walking time. Get out of the car gently so that your dress doesn't get snagged, and then take a moment to fix any last-minute kinks, straighten your veil, etc. If you’d like to work with professional photographers for your wedding, book with us at Wild Romantic Photography.

Different people have different wedding dreams, some opting for a grand celebration while others preferring a smaller, more personal ceremony. The length of time you should employ a wedding photographer for depends on a variety of factors, including the number of sites you want photographed, the distances between them, and the length of the ceremony itself. The goal of this post is to provide all of you gorgeous brides and grooms a better understanding of how much time you can expect to spend on each part of your photos as a public service.

Conclusion

Wedding photographers are often asked, "How many hours of coverage do we need?". If this is your first time planning a wedding, you may not know where to begin. We want to help make it easier for you with our guide to how many hours you really need. The length of time you should employ a wedding photographer for depends on a number of factors, including the number of venues, the photographer's travel time, and the length of the event itself. Wild Romantic Photography offers an exclusive range of wedding photography Mornington Peninsula services.

For best shots of the bride getting ready, plan on spending at least 90 minutes. Extending the time is recommended if you want more elaborately staged photographs. If the reveal is for no other reason than to make a public occasion private and personal, spend as little as ten to thirty minutes on it. If you're feeling nervous about how to act on such a momentous occasion, save it for the reception. You may use a bridal reveal to take more photographs before the wedding.

Or you could sneak away during the reception for some "golden hour," sunset, or twilight shots. Melbourne's exclusive range of wedding photography will help you not miss a thing on your wedding day. Photographer's coverage time will be determined by how long your ceremony and reception are. A civil ceremony may be held in as little as twenty to thirty minutes, but a wedding in a Catholic church can take over an hour. Consider the photographer's travel time when deciding how long to employ them for your wedding.

One hour of your photography coverage hours will be allocated to travel time if the ceremony location is more than 30 minutes from the venue where you will be getting ready for the ceremony. Ten minutes is not enough time to go from the ceremony to the location where the bride's photographs will be taken. Weddings also need extra time and effort. If you'd like to work with professional photographers for your wedding, book with us at Wild Romantic Photography.

Content Summary

1. Wedding photographers are often asked, "How many hours of coverage do we need?"
2. If this is your first time planning a wedding, you may not know how many hours of coverage you will need or even where to begin trying to figure it out.
3. Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and you want to make sure that every part of it is recorded forever.
4. At the same time, you don't want to blow your wedding budget on unneeded photographic services.
5. We want to help make things easier for you, so here is our guide to how many hours of wedding photography coverage you really need for your wedding day.
6.  If you need advice on your wedding photography, check out our photography packages and services at Wild Romantic Photography.
7. There are a lot of things to consider while organising a wedding, and you may find yourself asking questions you hadn't even considered before.
8. With no prior experience, you are now expected to know all there is to know about planning an event, from knowing which flowers are in season to being aware of how much money should be set aside for the event.
9. Six hours of coverage should be plenty to capture all the important moments during small weddings and elopements.
10. The 6-hour coverage, however, requires that the ceremony and reception occur at the same location.
11. However, everything that matters will be discussed (portraits, ceremony, family photos, first dance, cake cutting) Due of the short duration of the reception (6 hours), it is likely that there will be few photographs taken once the dancing begins.
12. Most wedding photographers base their pricing on the number of hours of coverage you'll need for your big day.
13. But most engaged couples, especially at the outset of wedding preparations, have no idea how many hours they would need.
14. Planning your dream wedding and don't want to miss out on the special moments on your big day?
15. Worry no more, Wild Romantic Photography has you covered.
16. We have put together a simple guide and also want to share our top 5 points to consider when determining wedding photography hours needed:THINK IN TERMS OF "EVENTS"Think about the moments you'd like photographed at the wedding.
17. What is your preference for the wedding photographer's start point: the ceremony site or the hotel where the happy couple is getting ready?
18. You can estimate the number of hours you'll require a photographer by deciding which activities are most crucial.
19. The length of time you should employ a wedding photographer for depends on a number of factors, including the number of venues, the photographer's travel time, and the length of the event itself.
20. In my line of work, I advise future spouses on the best wedding photography package to meet their needs.
21. We have an exclusive range of wedding photography Mornington Peninsula services.
22. As a rule, ladies need more time than gents to get ready on the big day.
23. It takes time to change into an attractive wedding gown and to have a professional do your hair and makeup.
24. For the best shots of the bride getting ready, plan on spending at least 90 minutes.
25. Optional: Bride Reveal PortraitsIt is increasingly usual for a secret bride reveal photo shoot to precede the wedding ceremony.
26. Although it's not for everyone, having the ceremony and reception on the same day can help some people minimise the time between the two events.
27. If you want to minimise the time between the ceremony and the reception without sacrificing quality photographs, I suggest allocating at least sixty to ninety minutes for the bride reveal images.
28. If the reveal is for no other reason than to make a public occasion private and personal, you can spend as little as ten to thirty minutes on it.
29. Take use of the stunning backdrops for your ceremony, reception, and everywhere in the venue.
30. The extra time is warranted in this instance, in my opinion.
31. You may use a bridal reveal to take more photographs before the wedding, or you could sneak away during the reception for some "golden hour," sunset, or twilight shots.
32. The ReceptionIf you're feeling nervous about how to act on such a momentous occasion, save it for the reception.
33. Remember, too, that this is a great time to take some natural photos of the people who are sharing your joy on this wonderful day.
34. If you're worried about the cost or logistics of having your photographer spend the whole reception taking pictures, I suggest setting aside no more than thirty to sixty minutes for them to capture the best moments at the reception venue.
35. If you plan ahead, you can do all of these without having to pay your photographer to stay for an extra 3–6 hours.
36. Inquire about the day-of or evening schedule from the reception location if you'd want the photographer to stay later to capture all the special moments.
37. That will give you the best idea of how long to have your photographer stay at the reception to make sure they get all of the shots you want.
38. You may have to make some adjustments if you wish to hire a photographer for the entire wedding day but your finances do not permit it.
39. A marriage is a permanent partnership that can never be broken.
40. If you must pick, spend less time with your hired photographer.
41. You might want to reevaluate how much money you're willing to put into your photography.
42. Is it possible for you to switch up the groupings?
43. The photographs taken at your wedding will be treasured heirlooms even after ten years have passed.
44. Our exclusive range of Melbourne wedding photography will help you not miss a thing on your wedding day.
45. HOW LONG THE CEREMONY WILL LAST AND HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE FOR RECEPTIONThe photographer's coverage time will be determined by how long your ceremony and reception are.
46. Let's assume you want to remember the first dance, the toasts, and the cutting of the cake at your reception through images.
47. Your wedding photography service's wrap-up time will be modified based on when these activities wrap up.
48. This is something you must decide as part of your routine.
49. Images such as certificate signing, a group photo of guests, and you being congratulated as you go down the aisle may require extra time following the ceremony.
50. Please add at least forty to sixty minutes to your ceremony's scheduled time for the sake of safety.
51. One hour of your photography coverage hours will be immediately allocated to travel time if the ceremony location is more than 30 minutes from the location where you will be getting ready for the ceremony, and if the ceremony location is more than 30 minutes from the venue where you will be having your reception.
52. Consider the photographer's travel time when deciding how long to employ them for your wedding.
53. The importance of include travel time is often disregarded.
54. Even a delay of ten or fifteen minutes might have a significant impact on your photography schedule.
55. Time spent travelling there and back should be included in after selecting how long you want to spend taking photographs.
56. You can estimate how long you'll need a wedding photographer by adding up all the times you'll need one.
57. Don't forget to factor in time spent getting there and parking.
58. We have the best wedding photographer in Yarra Valley to capture your beautiful moments on your wedding day.
59. You should provide buffer time to each stage of your wedding timetable.
60. Your photographer will have to arrive at the venue at the same time as you.
61. Make sure the photographer has plenty of time to take pictures before the big day.
62. Weddings also need extra time and effort.
63. Ten minutes is not nearly enough time to go from the ceremony to the location where the bride's photographs will be taken.
64. It's not always simple to get in and out of a car (particularly for the bride in a large dress), what with trying to dodge your wonderful guests who want to continue greeting you, collecting up bridal party members, and arranging with transport drivers (especially if the bride is in a big gown).
65. If you'd like to work with professional photographers for your wedding, book with us at Wild Romantic Photography.
66. The length of time you should employ a wedding photographer for depends on a variety of factors, including the number of sites you want photographed, the distances between them, and the length of the ceremony itself.
67. The goal of this post is to provide all of you gorgeous brides and grooms a better understanding of how much time you can expect to spend on each part of your photos as a public service.