The ideal amount of wedding photography coverage depends entirely on your timeline and what moments you want captured. A typical 8-hour package covers the ceremony, formal portraits, and the beginning of the reception. However, if you want getting-ready shots, a first look, or a grand exit at the end of the night, you will need to upgrade to a 10 or 12-hour package.
To build your wedding photography timeline, break your day down into key blocks:
If you are getting ready at a separate location from the ceremony or reception, buffer in extra time for travel. Use our wedding photography timeline calculator above to input your specific details, ensuring your photographer captures every critical moment without you paying for unnecessary downtime.
It can be! If you are having a small, intimate ceremony without a full reception, 6 hours is plenty. However, for a standard wedding with getting-ready photos, a ceremony, and a reception, 8 hours is the minimum recommended coverage.
If you have 150+ guests, a second shooter is highly recommended to capture candid moments while your main photographer focuses on the bridal party. It's also essential if your getting-ready locations are far apart.
If your wedding runs late, your photographer will usually stay beyond their contracted time, but an overtime fee (often $100-$300 per hour) will apply. It's best to buffer 30-60 minutes into your timeline for delays.
A first look saves 1-2 hours of timeline! By seeing each other before the ceremony, you can knock out all your bridal party and family portraits beforehand, allowing you to attend your own cocktail hour.