Choosing the Right Amount of Photography Coverage for Your Wedding Day
Planning your wedding day involves many decisions, and one of the most crucial is selecting the right amount of photography coverage. Once you’ve secured your venue and identified photographers whose style you admire, you’ll want to consider: How much coverage do I truly need? What moments are essential to photograph? Below are examples of various coverage timelines.
As a wedding photographer, I often get asked the same question: How long should my photography coverage be? Many photographers offer packages in hour-long blocks, like 4, 6, 8, or even 10 hours. While this may be straightforward for those in the wedding industry, it can be confusing for couples. For a typical western wedding—often consisting of getting ready, a first look (if desired), the ceremony, family photos, cocktail hour, reception, and dancing—I strongly recommend 8 hours of coverage.
Every one of my packages for traditional western weddings includes a preset duration of 8 hours. Through extensive experience, I have learned that this timeframe allows me to fully capture the story of your wedding day. It gives me the freedom to get every important shot, from the initial moments of preparation to the joy of the dance floor, without the pressure of rushing or missing key moments. Additionally, my packages come with a complimentary engagement session, which is a wonderful opportunity for us to connect and create beautiful images before your wedding day.
With less than 8 hours of coverage, couples often face difficult compromises. You might end up with fewer dancing photos, miss getting ready shots, or have insufficient time for romantic couple portraits. On your wedding day, the last thing you want is to receive an unexpected invoice for extra hours from your photographer. This can disrupt the joy of the occasion and force you to make financial decisions that should have been resolved in advance. By choosing the right amount of coverage from the start, you can ensure your wedding day is stress-free and filled with beautiful memories captured in their entirety.
