You’re planning your wedding and have found the photographer of your dreams! But what package do you want from them? Will you want photos of the whole day, from getting ready to leaving the reception, or would just half the day do? Do you need to add on extra hours? Is there a difference between full-day and all-day coverage? This seemingly simple concept can easily become confusing.

Every wedding and every couple are different, and the amount and type of coverage you need for your big day depends on a variety of factors, but before counting hours, there are a couple things you should definitely keep in mind.

1. Photography coverage is continuous

When you book a wedding photographer, that means they’re going to photograph your day without gaps in coverage. For example, if you have eight hours of coverage, that’s eight hours from the time they arrive to the time they leave. A photographer won’t pause between events or segment their coverage.

2. Terms vary from photographer to photographer

When looking at package options, you may see phrases like “half-day coverage” or “full-day coverage.” Exactly what those terms mean depends on the photographer, so be sure to ask before you book. Some photographers consider eight hours a full day, while others call twelve hours a full day. Don’t assume you know what “full-day coverage” means.

Every wedding day is different, but most weddings can be broken up into getting ready, the first look, the ceremony, formal portraits, and the reception. Let’s take a look at how long on average each part of the day will take.

Getting Ready

A safe assumption is that each bridesmaid will take about an hour and a half to get ready, while the bride should have about three hours, just in case anything doesn’t go according to planned. However, if you only have one person doing hair and makeup, add a little extra time to everyone’s preparations as a buffer. Your hair/ make-up stylists can further advise you on this.

Getting ready may not seem like a must for photography, but this is the time that your photographer will get pictures of everyone having fun, drinking mimosas, watching the big game, and hanging out. They will also photograph details— the dress and tux, rings, invitation suite, florals, and other special mementos.

The First Look

If you choose to have a first look with your partner before the ceremony, allot about thirty minutes for photos. Your first look should be an intimate, special moment, but it also shouldn’t take long, especially if it’s just you, your soon-to-be-spouse, and the photographer. Try to keep parents or the wedding party from hanging around and causing distractions or taking away from the moment.

The Ceremony

The length of your ceremony is entirely up to you and depends on what traditions you choose to include. If you plan to do a receiving line, add about thirty minutes for each hundred guests. Regardless of the length of your ceremony, consider an additional fifteen to twenty minutes of buffer time, just in case your officiant is running late or something else goes wrong. 

Post-Ceremony Portraits

After the ceremony is over, guests will head to the reception venue, leaving the couple, the wedding party, and family members to hang around for formal portraits. How long these portraits will take depends on the number of people being photographed and whether you have a first look. If you choose not to have a first look, couple portraits will take place after the ceremony, as well. 

If all portraits are going to be taken post-ceremony, consider allocating about two hours total for those images to be taken. Plan about three minutes per family grouping at the church. (That may seem like a long time, but you’d be surprised how much time it takes to get everyone together and posed.) Then allot for any travel time to a desired photo location for the bridal party and/or couples portraits. Plan for up to an hour here and then travel time back to the reception venue.

The Reception

Your reception may last till midnight; however, your photographer doesn’t need to be there the whole time. They just need to capture all the big events, like the first dance, parent dances, toasts, and cutting of the cake, as well as a few shots of everyone grooving on the dance floor. Depending on whether you’re planning a formal exit (sparklers, confetti, etc.), you can usually end your photography coverage an hour or so after open dancing begins.

A General Rule of Thumb

6 hours — ideal for events all in one location with a small wedding party and/or guest list

8 hours — usually not enough to thoroughly photograph both the getting ready portion and the reception events

10 hours — ideal for most weddings; allows for thorough coverage during getting ready and reception events

12 hours — good for those who want every moment captured; also may be necessary if there is significant travel time (45+ minutes) between venues

Ultimately, it’s important to talk to your photographer about what details and moments matter most to you. Maybe you only want images of the ceremony. Maybe you want to capture every second of your day. No matter what you want, a professional photographer can work with you to maximize your coverage. 

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