How Many Hours of Wedding Photography Do We Really Need?
This is one of the most common questions couples ask when planning their wedding, and the honest answer is: it depends.
The right amount of wedding photography coverage is influenced by several factors, including:
Number of guests/size of the wedding party
Length of ceremony
Any travel time between locations
How many formal moments you are including (especially first-looks)
How much of the reception you want photographed
Every wedding day flows differently, which is why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. However, there is a coverage range that works best for most couples.
Why Most Couples Need More Coverage Than They Expect
Wedding days move quickly. Transitions take time, emotions run high, and timelines rarely run perfectly on schedule. Having less coverage often means sacrificing moments - not because they aren’t important, but because there simply isn’t enough room for everything. Unfortunately, this is something most couples do not realize until they experience a wedding day first-hand.
While 6 hours of photography can work, it often leaves little flexibility for:
Speeches during dinner
Taking time to mingle with family and friends
Extended family photos
Reception coverage
Timeline delays
For this reason, most weddings benefit from around 8 hours of coverage, which allows the day to unfold naturally without feeling rushed. Again, 6 hours of photography is not improbable; it is just better suited for weddings with a lower guest and event count. If you are having a small wedding (50 people or fewer) with a short reception, 6 hours of photography would be ideal!
For those having an intimate wedding (immediate family and friends only - usually 20 people or fewer) with little to no formal reception, 4 hours of photography may be ideal!
What an 8-Hour Wedding Photography Timeline Can Look Like
The timeline below is an example, not a requirement. It’s meant to show how quickly time adds up on a wedding day and why 8 hours of coverage works well for most weddings. This timeline budgets extra space for gathering emotions, bathroom/snack breaks, mingling with family/friends, and more.
Sample 8-Hour Coverage Breakdown
Details & getting ready: 75 minutes
Bridal party photos: 45 minutes
Groomsmen photos: 30 minutes
Bridal portraits: 30 minutes
Groom’s first look or private vows: 15–20 minutes
Father’s first look: 15 minutes
Ceremony: 30 minutes
Full wedding party photos: 20–30 minutes
Family photos: 20–30 minutes
Reception details: 15–20 minutes
Reception events (grand entrance, first dances, toasts): 30 minutes
Dinner: 30 minutes
Reception coverage: 30–60 minutes
Eight hours may seem like loads of time, but I promise you it absolutely flies!
Final Thoughts
While every wedding is different, an 8-hour timeline offers enough flexibility to capture the full story of the day without rushing or sacrificing meaningful moments. Smaller weddings may need less coverage, while larger guest counts or extended receptions may benefit from additional time.
I’m always happy to help build a custom timeline and recommend the coverage that best fits your day and priorities.
