What’s the number one question I am asked from inquiring couples?
“How many hours do we need?”
Wedding photography coverage typically lasts 8, 9 or 10 hours. The answer depends on several factors:
- Will your day’s events be taking place at multiple locations? (ex: ceremony at a church, reception at the venue, interested in doing portraits at a nearby park)
- Are you planning to do a First Look?
- What is the sunset time of your wedding day?
- Is there anything special happening at your reception you’d need your photographer around for?
Let’s dive a little deeper into these…
The answer that is going to matter the most is the answer to #1. This is because you will have to budget in time for travel. You can conclude that if you will be going to multiple locations, 9 or 10 hours is the best option for you.
The majority of the time what I find is if a couple is doing everything at one location they do a First Look and if they are having their ceremony and reception at different locations they do not do a First Look. Doing a First Look doesn’t affect how many hours you choose, but it does affect how your entire day will be laid out. It determines whether you’re doing portraits of you, your bridal party and family before or after the ceremony. All of that takes 2-3 hours after you factor in travel time / cushion time for anything running late (people, traffic, etc.).
Most photographers recommend doing a First Look so you can be relaxed and enjoy your day more as a couple, but really it’s up to you and either works out fine. If you are having everything occur at one location and you do not want to do a First Look, you’ll just need to make sure your ceremony time is early, say 2:00 pm as opposed to 5:00 pm. Remember to have a few places to recommend guests hang out at before cocktail hour on your invitation or wedding website. Most venues won’t let them in early.
Now, having a wedding date between November – March means an earlier sunset time. Typically between 4:30 – 5:30 pm. If your ceremony isn’t until 5:00 pm and you do not want to do a First Look, we’re going to be taking portraits in the dark. My photography style is based around natural light and errs on the side of bright. You would much rather have us do all our portraits before sunset or you’re not going to have the beautiful style you see in my portfolio. If this is the case for you, opt for an earlier ceremony time if not doing a First Look!
Lastly, if you have any special moments happening during your reception that you want captured on professional cameras, consider 9 or 10 hour coverage. This refers to anything other than cake cutting, which we can often stage off to the side (this happens at nearly all of my weddings believe it or not!), and possibly, a sparkler exit, which we can also stage off to the side with just you and your bridal party the moment we have a 20 minute break and it’s dark. The first hour of your reception will be filled with intros, first dances and toasts during or right after the salad is served. Entertainment won’t want us going off for photos until toasts are over (and trust me, you won’t want to either. You’ll be ready to party by then!).
Check out these two sample timelines I’ve put together to give you an idea of how YOUR day could look…
SAMPLE TIMELINE #1
One Location | First Look
1:00 pm
Photographers Arrive
1:00 – 1:45 pm
Details photos
1:45 pm
Bride & Bridesmaids Get Dressed | Bridal Portraits
Groom & Groomsmen Get Dressed | Groom Portraits
3:15 pm
First Look
3:30 – 4:00 pm
Bridal Party Portraits
4:00 – 4:30 pm
Bride & Groom Portraits
4:30 – 5:00 pm
Family Portraits
5:00 – 5:30 pm
Rest before saying I do!
5:30 – 6:00 pm
Ceremony
6:00 – 7:00 pm
Cocktail Hour
7:00 pm
Reception Begins
9:00 pm
Photographers Exit (8 Hours Total)
10:00 pm
Photographers Exit (9 Hours Total)
SAMPLE TIMELINE #2
Multiple Locations | Without a First Look
11:00 am
Photographers Arrive
11:00 – 11:45 am
Details photos
11:45 am
Bride & Bridesmaids Get Dressed | Bridal Portraits
Groom & Groomsmen Get Dressed | Groom Portraits
1:00 – 1:30 pm
Travel to Ceremony Location
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Ceremony
3:00 – 3:30 pm
Family Portraits
3:30 – 4:00 pm
Travel to Reception Venue or Desired Photo Location
4:00 – 4:30 pm
Bridal Party Portraits
4:30 – 5:15 pm
Bride & Groom Portraits
5:15 – 6:00 pm
Travel to Reception Venue or break for couple if there
6:00 – 7:00 pm
Cocktail Hour
7:00 pm
Reception Begins
9:00 pm
Photographers Exit (10 hours total)
Download these Sample Wedding Day Timelines & tips!
Timeline Timing Breakdown:
Wedding Details (45 minutes)
Your wedding detail flatlays set up the story for your day (especially if you’re getting an album). They reflect your unique style, personalities and showcase all the little things you carefully picked out to have with you on your wedding day. I love creating these for couples – playing with the composition, colors and getting inspired for the rest of the day to come. If we are in the same place, I will photograph both the bride’s and groom’s, but if we are in different places, my Second Photographer will photograph the groom’s. Be sure to have your list of items set to the side so I can easily grab them and maximize the time to create something magical for you!
Getting Ready & Bridal Portraits (60-90 minutes)
After a quick snap of you and your girls in your matching PJ’s or robes, it’s time for the bride to get in her dress! I recommend everyone get dressed at this time. Your mother and/or Matron/Maid(s) of Honor will be the ones in some photos of you putting on your shoes, buttoning your gown, etc. After the Bride is dressed, I will take some bridal portraits. My Second Photographer will be doing the same with the Groom and his father and/or Best Man at this time.
First Look (10 minutes)
Short and sweet, but one of the BIGGEST moments! Though it is not the traditional way to first see your future spouse, there are so many benefits to doing a First Look and you are still getting that WOW moment. I promise. I will scout us a secluded spot (unless you have one you like in mind) while my Second Photographer and your coordinator assist in putting everyone in position for the big reveal.
Bridal Party Portraits (30 minutes)
We will photograph you all together as a bridal party, individually (bride with each bridesmaid, groom with each grooms mean) and then separately as groups (all the bridesmaids, all the groomsmen). I have found it is best to get Bridal Party shots finished before your couple’s portraits so your friends have a chance to relax and tend to their partners or kids if needed, etc. before the ceremony.
Bride & Groom Portraits (45 minutes)
It is time to focus on YOU! Don’t worry – I will help direct you into poses (both playful and formal) for a variety of gorgeous shots together. My Second Photographer will be taking photos at the same time from different angles and creative approaches to fill your gallery even more stunning photos! I will also get individual photos of you two at this time. The lighting will determine where the best spots to take these are.
Ceremony (30-60 minutes)
Ah, the big moment is here! My Second Photographer and I will be silently moving around to capture photos of all special ceremony moments. Be sure to ask your officiant to move out of the way during the kiss! And don’t make it a quick peck – count to 5 in your heads so I have more time for snapping photos and getting the perfect shot. I also recommend kissing again mid-way down the aisle (add a dip if you dare!) for another fun shot, and doing a ceremony exit with your bridal party outside. Bubbles are my favorite for this!
Family Portraits (30 minutes)
Family portraits, if not done earlier, will take place immediately following the ceremony. It is easiest this way because everyone is already there. Especially if you have a few extended family shots you’d like to knock out. I recommend notifying all family members that need to stick around afterwards ahead of time. We will work together before your wedding day to create a family shot list so this time is well organized.
Cocktail Hour & Reception (3+ hours)
While you are enjoying Cocktail Hour, I will be going around your Reception room documenting all of your details. At your Reception, I will be capturing your entrances, toasts, dances and any extra large groupings of extended family and friends you request. From here on out, the majority of your photos will be unposed, fun, candid moments!
Optional: Sunset Portraits (15 minutes)
My favorite photos! I will let you know ahead of time when sunset is that day. Around 45 minutes before the sun goes down, I will head outside with the two of you for some gorgeous, glowy, golden hour portraits that will add a POP to your final gallery! Timing for these portraits really depend on the timing of your reception events and the weather.
Optional: Staged Exit (15 minutes)
Be it a sparkler send-off, driving away in a vintage Bentley with cans on the back, or having the dance floor cleared for a “Last Dance” between just the two of you, planned exits will typically include just your immediate families and bridal party as witnesses to save time and avoid corralling the whole guest list away from the fun.
Alexa’s Biggest Timeline Tips
- Have hair and makeup time to be complete the same time as our Getting Ready & Bridal Portraits start.
- Have your flowers arrive the same time as me. The very first thing I photograph are your details. So many times the flowers have arrived two hours later and have missed making the flatlay – even the First Look. Florals help tell your story. Ask your florist for an extra, small bundle for me to use.
- Expect to always be running late. Especially during Getting Ready (us gals tend to fashionably run over!) and if your day includes multiple stops because… traffic. When looking at the lengths of time suggested for event, expect to add an extra 5-10 minutes in between each.
- Not having us stay until the very end of the party? No problem. We can still capture your cake cutting! In fact, I nearly always “fake the cake.” If you are doing a private cake cutting, we will simply go to the side and pretend you are cutting it for a photo. The cake cutting typically occurs one hour after dinner is served.
These are just examples of two ways your wedding could go! As we talk through your plans, we’ll be able to customize a timeline that works perfectly for you.
For more wedding planning tips & advice, explore the Resources section of the blog!
