One of the most common questions couples ask when booking a wedding photographer is:
“How many hours of coverage do we actually need?”
The answer? It really depends on your day! Every wedding is different, and the right amount of coverage should reflect your timeline, priorities, and the moments you want captured. Whether you’re planning a full-day celebration or something short and sweet, here’s a guide to help you decide.
A General Rule!
The average amount of time most couples book a wedding photographer is 8-10 hours. But everyone’s wedding is slightly different, so for some- 8 hours might be an excessive amount for the day but for others, 8 hours will be barely enough to cover the main events. For most couples, a good guide is to start when the bride is getting their hair and makeup done and a good finish time is usually about half an hour after the dance floor starts.
If you’re not sure you’ve booked enough time, just check if your photographer is willing to extend extra hours on the day if needed. Most photographers will be happy to stay a little longer to capture the buzz on the D-Floor!
Start Time
During bridal hair + makeup
Finish Time
About 30 minutes after the first dance
4 Hour Package
For couples doing a micro wedding with just a few family and friends or an easy and simple elopement: 4 hours would be an ideal amount of time. Even some couples who are having a full day’s wedding may only choose to have part of the day covered with this package. It’s enough to cover the key moments of the day, especially for those looking to be budget conscious (with the cost of living right now, we all need to save where we can!)
What's Covered?
- Ceremony
- Family Photos
- Couples Portraits (on-site)
- Part of reception (if reception is on-site to ceremony)
6 Hour Package
The 6 hour package is a slight step-up from the 4 hours. Where some couples might opt for 6 hours is if they choose to have more of the reception covered including the first dance and the start of the dance floor. If the ceremony is in the afternoon (say, 3pm as many are), 6 hours will take you to around 9pm which will most definitely cover your reception celebrations. In my personal opinion, you only really need to capture the start of the dance floor to capture the mood so you don’t need the photographer to be there until the end of the night.
What's Covered?
- Ceremony
- Family Photos
- Couples Portraits
- Dance Floor
8 Hours- Most Popular!
The 8 hour wedding photography package is the most popular choice for many couples. It documents pretty much the whole day- from getting ready right up until the dance floor and allows couples to relive the day over and over again. It also allows more time for aesthetic images that we all see on Instagram such as the flat-lays, detailed shots and first look photos. This is a great option if your ceremony and reception are at different locations.
- Getting Ready
- Aesthetic Photos (flat lays, details)
- First Look
- Ceremony
- Family Photos
- Couples Portraits
- Dancefloor
10-12 Hour Package
A 10-12 hour package may seem like a long time, but it goes so fast with all the buzz and excitement of the day. The main difference between an 8 hour package and a 10-12 hour one is to capture more of the dance floor. If you’ve got a rowdy bunch of friends, you only really need the start of the dance floor covered to get the vibe on film, but if your guests are a little more reserved and need a few more beers to get going, then hiring the photographer until the end of the night might be a good option to truly capture the spirit.
Another reason to consider a 10-12 hour package is if you have a cultural or traditional wedding that has extended ceremonies. An Indian ceremony can go for 2 hours or longer whereas a Western one may only go for 30 minutes and this would need to be factored into the total time.
- Getting Ready
- Aesthetic Photos (flat lays, details)
- First Look
- Ceremony
- Family Photos
- Couples Portraits
- Full dance floor
About Me
Vanessa Claire
Vanessa Claire is an engineer turned photographer. With 10 years of photography experience and a professionally trained background in landscape and travel, she has a unique skill for using natural light and composition to create remarkable images. Her vision is to create timeless imagery by utilising unique and creative compositions.
Outside of photography, Vanessa loves travelling, surfing the coast and sipping on a good Nebbiolo.
