Choosing your desired wedding package
How many hours of photography do you really need/want? Every wedding is different, so it’s important for the photographer to know what you are looking for and what’s truly important to you and what you want captured. The majority of weddings are 6-10 hours. Things that affect this answer are, for example, how many guests are invited, the number of family members/wedding party, the distance of locations, etc.
Below are examples of 6, 8 and 10 hour wedding days WITH a first-look, 1 photographer, 1 location and 30 minute ceremony.
Based off of these timelines, use it as a guide to help you determine how many hours you need. Start with your ceremony and reception time and go from there! NOTE: If you are not doing a First-Look, set aside an extra hour for photos to take immediately following the ceremony.
6 HOURS OF PHOTOGRAPHY – 4:30 PM CEREMONY START TIME
2:00 pm | Photographer arrives at the bridal suite or bride’s getting ready location to capture the bride and bridesmaids getting ready, miscellaneous decorations, final touches of the groom and groomsmen getting ready, and if time allows before…photos of the little but important details like…rings, shoes, wedding dress hanging, grooms sentimental items (watch, shoes, bowtie) etc. (good time to do seperate wedding party photos if not doing a first look)
3:00 pm | First-look and bride & groom photos
3:30 pm | Wedding party photos
4:00 pm | Family Photos/Candids of Guests arriving
4:30 pm | Ceremony
5:00 pm | Additional Family photos as reception starts
5:30 pm | Candids of reception & set-up time (this would be a good time for wedding party/bride & groom photos if not doing a first look)
6:00 pm | Grand entrance of wedding party
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
8:00 pm | Photography coverage ends
8 HOURS OF PHOTOGRAPHY – 4:30 PM CEREMONY START TIME
As you will see in this example timeline, you will notice what a dramatic difference adding two hours will make. This extra time will allow for more getting ready details, and more time on the dancefloor. You can add the extra two hours before the ceremony if you have a large bridal party, or add the 2 hours after the reception if you are wanting to capture a grand exit at the end of the night.
1:00 pm | Photographer arrives at the bridal suite or bride’s getting ready location to capture the bride and bridesmaids getting ready and final touches of the groom and groomsmen getting ready (good time to do seperate wedding party photos if not doing a first look)
2:30 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
4:00 pm | Candids as guests arrive
4:30 pm | Ceremony
5:00 pm | Additional Family photos as reception starts
5:30 pm | Candids of reception & set-up time (this would be a good time for wedding party/bride & groom photos if not doing a first look)
6:00 pm | Grand entrance of wedding party
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
8:15pm | Sunset photos
9:00pm | Photography coverage ends
10 HOURS OF PHOTOGRAPHY – 4:30 PM CEREMONY START TIME
10 hours allows for the full day and two photographers, from hair and make-up to a special grand exit (if desired) to be captured.
Adding this extra time creates more buffer room and can accommodate more changes in location, larger wedding parties and family groups or additional events.
12:00 pm | Photographer arrives
Photograph bridal details (rings, dress, shoes)
12:40 pm | Bride and bridesmaids finishing up hair and make-up and candids
1:00 pm | Groom and groomsmen finish getting dressed, final getting ready pictures (2nd Photographer may be shooting these while the main photographer is taking the bridesmaids photos)
1:30 pm | Bridesmaids then bride get dressed, 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 | Candids as guests arrive
4:30 pm | Ceremony begins
5:00 pm | Ceremony ends; Family photos as reception or cocktail hour begins
5:30 pm | Candids of reception set up
6:00 pm | Grand entrance of wedding party
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 | Reception Grand exit (fireworks, confetti, bubbles, rice, etc.)
10:00 pm | Photography coverage ends
I really hope this helps put into perspective how many hours you will need for your big day! I help each one of my couples with a Wedding Day Timeline custom for their day. We start with the ceremony and reception time and go from there! Thank you so much for following along and feel free to send me an email if you have any questions!