Weddings are fluid events, and while there is a timeline, things can change and take longer than expected. When considering how many hours you need a photographer, think about what you want them to capture and how much of your wedding day story you’d like to include in your album.
How Many Hours or How Much of your story?
Rather than thinking in terms of hours, consider how much of your wedding day you want to be captured. Do you want a full story of the day, from the moment you start getting ready with your bridesmaids and groomsmen, through to when you leave as a married couple?
From this perspective, think about what’s important to you. Do you want coverage from getting ready through to the first dance? Or perhaps just from the ceremony to the party, or maybe only the cake cutting?
Consider the timeline of your day: What time will the ceremony start? When is the drinks reception, the evening reception, the cake cutting, and the first dance?
Other things to consider
- Do you want getting ready shots?
- Is there much travel between ceremony and reception venues
- Do you want first dance and evening party photos?
Getting ready shots can be both fun and memorable, especially with your bridesmaids. The beautiful first look photos, as they see you in your dress, and the emotional moment when your father sees you for the first time, are moments worth capturing. More time allows for capturing these details, including table decor, flowers, group shots, and moments you might have missed. It also captures the emotions on people’s faces and, of course, the lively dancing that your guests might prefer wasn’t caught on camera!
Travel
If your ceremony and reception are at different venues, time will be needed for travel between the two. Your photographer will capture photos at the ceremony, including the confetti shot, and then getting into the car. They will then quickly rush to the reception venue to ensure they capture your arrival and the moments that follow.
How Many Hours You Should Book a Photographer For?
For a traditional wedding, focus on discussing the timeline with your photographer and what you want captured, rather than just the number of hours. Your photographer can then provide a quote and package based on this information.
The timeline and hours will vary depending on whether you’re having a small, intimate wedding at one location or a larger event with the ceremony and reception at different venues.
All day coverage
This typically spans around 8 hours, which suits most weddings and is the most popular choice for capturing the entire day. Costs for this can vary based on the photographer and location. Each package on wedissimo will show a minimum number of photos that the photographer will deliver.
Half Day
Many photographers may have a 4-5 hour half day package, this is ideal for couples that are having a small wedding or may suit their wedding day timeline, allowing for ceremony photos, couple shots and reception.
Half day coverage is suitable when:
- You don’t want or need getting ready photos
- When your ceremony and reception are at the same location
- You don’t want or need dance floor photos
- You don’t need your photographer there at the end
Elopements and Ceremony only Weddings
By-the-hour coverage is suitable for elopements and small ceremonies, providing photos from the ceremony and couple shots.
Speak to your photographer about the timeline for your day and what you’d like captured. They can then advise on how many hours of coverage you might need and recommend the best package for you.
Less hours to save money?
If you’re considering hiring a photographer for fewer hours to save on costs, think about what you might be missing out on.
Your photos are the main keepsake from your wedding, capturing all the details and moments of your day. While weddings can be expensive, it’s crucial to consider where to allocate your budget wisely. Investing in adequate photography coverage can be more valuable than skimping in this area, as it preserves the memories of your special day.
Don’t forget…
More time and more photos generally lead to better results than less time and fewer photos. You only get one chance to capture your wedding day and its story. You don’t want to have stunning images of your ceremony and later regret missing out on beautiful photos of you and your bridesmaids getting ready, or of your grandparents at the reception. Those moments, emotions, and joy are priceless and something you will treasure for years to come.