One of the most common questions couples ask when planning their wedding is:

“How many hours of photography do we actually need?”

Every wedding is different, but the amount of coverage you choose will determine how much of your story can be captured — from the quiet moments getting ready in the morning to the energy of the dance floor later in the evening.

To help you decide, here are some example wedding timelines for 4, 6, 8, and 10 hours of coverage, along with what is typically included in each. Each example assumes either a 3:30 or 4pm ceremony which goes for about 30 minutes. If your ceremony starts earlier or later, adjust the entire timeline.

I haven’t added golden hour photos, as this varies quite a bit during the year, but this would be best to slide into your timeline around an hour before sunset for about 30 minutes.

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4 Hours of Wedding Photography Coverage

A 4 hour wedding coverage will include most of the key moments of a wedding and is ideal for those who don’t care much for getting ready or dance floor shots. The limitation of a 4 hour coverage is that family photos, bridal party and couples portraits will be done during the wedding rather than before, which limits the ability to socialise with guests.

What’s typically included: Ceremony, family and bridal portraits, reception up until dance floor (speeches, cake cutting and first dance)

What you may miss: Getting ready photos, first look and pre-wedding portraits (will be done during the reception hour instead), dance floor

Example Timeline (3:30pm ceremony)

3:00pm – Photographer Arrives

• Venue details
• Ceremony setup
• Guest arrivals

3:30pm – Ceremony

• Processional
• Vows
• Ring exchange
• First kiss

4:00pm – Family Photos

• Immediate family
• Group portraits

4:30pm – Couple Portraits

• Individual portraits
• Bridal portraits
• Wedding party photos

5:15pm – Reception Entrance

• Grand entrance
• Candid guest moments

6:00pm – Speeches

6:30pm – First Dance

7:00pm – Coverage Ends

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6 Hour Wedding Photography Timeline

A 6 hour photography package offers more coverage at the start of the day. It gives you more flexibility to get a lot of the shots that you’d typically do after the ceremony (couples portraits, wedding party photos, family photos).

What’s typically included: First look, ceremony, family and bridal portraits, reception up until dance floor (speeches, cake cutting and first dance)

What you may miss: Getting ready photos, Dance floor photos

1:30pm – First Look

2:15pm – Couples Portraits / Wedding Party

3:30pm – Ceremony

4:00pm – Family Photos

4:30pm – Wedding Party Photos

5:00pm – Couple Portraits

5:30pm – Reception

• Room details
• Cocktail hour candids

6:30pm – Reception Events

• Speeches
• Cake cutting

7:00pm – First Dance

7:30pm – Coverage Ends

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8 Hour Wedding Photography Timeline

The 8 hour wedding timeline is probably the most common for a traditional wedding. It captures most of the key events: from getting ready photos up until coverage of the dance floor. Unless you have a cultural or traditional wedding where the ceremony is quite long, or if you have a chatty uncle whose speeches go far longer than they should, an 8 hour package should capture everything.

What’s included: An 8 hour wedding includes pretty much everything -right from getting ready until the start of the dance floor. This is what makes it the most popular package for most couples.

What you may miss: Some of the dance floor, especially if it takes a while to get everyone going.

Example Timeline (12:30pm – 8:30pm)

12:30pm – Bridesmaids Getting Ready

• Dress, shoes, rings
• Hair & makeup
• Bridal party photos

1:30pm – Groom Getting Ready

• Cuff links, watch, shoes
• Putting on ties
• Groomsmen Photos

2:00pm – First Look

2:30pm – Couple Portraits

3:00pm – Wedding Party Photos

4:00pm – Ceremony

4:30pm – Family Photos

5:00pm – Cocktail Hour

• Guest candids
• Venue details

6:00pm – Reception Begins

• Grand entrance

6:30pm – Speeches

7:00pm – Dinner (photographer takes break, as guests don’t want to be photographed scoffing their meal 🤪)

7:30pm – First Dance

8:00pm – Dance Floor

8:30pm – Coverage Ends

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10 Hour Wedding Photography Timeline

Best for: Couples who want the full wedding story from prep to party. It can also allow more time for multiple venues- for example if the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen are getting ready in houses that are quite far from each other, this allows the photographer a buffer for travel time. Likewise, if the reception and ceremony are in different locations- it just relaxes the schedule a bit more.

What it includes: Everything (getting ready right up until the dance floor)

What you may miss: Nothing!

Example Timeline (12pm – 10pm)

12pm – Getting Ready

• Bridal details
• Hair & makeup
• Candid moments with friends

1pm – Groom Prep

1:30pm – First Look

2:00pm – Couple Portraits

2:45pm – Wedding Party Photos

3:15pm – Break / Touch Ups

4:00pm – Ceremony

4:30pm – Family Photos

5:00pm – Cocktail Hour

6:00pm – Reception Entrance

6:30pm – Dinner

7pm- Speeches

7:30pm – Cake Cutting

8:00pm – First Dance

8:30pm – Open Dance Floor

10pm – Coverage Ends

Our advice: If your schedule allows it, 6-8 hours of coverage usually provides the best balance between storytelling and a relaxed timeline.

If you’re currently planning your wedding and want help building a timeline that works perfectly for your day, we’d love to help.