How Much Coverage Do We Really Need?…

How Much Wedding Day Coverage Do You Actually Need?
Spoiler: It’s not always 12 hours—and that’s okay.

Let’s be real: trying to plan a wedding timeline is like trying to do a puzzle without the box. You think you know what you need, but all the little pieces (like hair & makeup timing, family photos, first dances, sunset portraits…) make it hard to tell where to even begin.

So, how many hours of photography coverage do you actually need?
Let’s walk through it—no stress, no upsells, just real talk.

First, What’s Usually Covered?

Most photographers (hi, it’s me) offer packages that range from 6 to 10 hours, give or take. Here's what can typically fit into those windows:

🕕 6 hours:

• Great for shorter days, intimate weddings, or elopements.

• Covers: getting dressed → ceremony → portraits → start of reception.

• May not include: dance floor photos, golden hour portraits, or late-night antics.

🕗 8 hours:

• Most popular option for good reason.

• Covers: full getting ready → ceremony → portraits → cocktail hour → reception + a bit of dancing.

• Ideal if you don’t want to feel rushed.

🕙 10 hours:

• For full coverage start to finish.

• Covers: details, getting ready, first look, travel time, full reception, dance floor chaos, sparkler exits.

• Great for big wedding parties, longer travel between venues, or if you want every little moment captured.

Questions to Ask Yourselves:

1. Are you doing a first look?
   If yes, you can knock out a lot of photos early, and may need less time later in the day.

2. Are your ceremony and reception in the same spot?
   Less travel = more time for moments, less need for extended coverage.

3. How important are late-night photos?
   If you want the whole party vibe captured (or a choreographed dance under the stars), factor that in.

4. How long do family portraits usually take?
   (Spoiler: with a good list and a firm wrangler, 20–30 minutes tops. But add buffer just in case.)

5. Do you care more about candids or coverage?
   Some couples just want the highlights. Others want the full documentary-style experience. Both are valid!

Real Talk: You Don’t Need Every Minute Documented

You don’t need photos of your cousin’s third round of tequila shots (unless… you do?). You don’t need five hours of dance floor coverage. What you do need is time that reflects what matters most to you.

Some couples only want the ceremony and portraits—others want the entire story told from coffee to confetti. There’s no one-size-fits-all.

TL;DR

✅ 6 hours: Small wedding or elopement, no fluff.
✅ 8 hours: Perfect for most traditional wedding days.
✅ 10 hours: Big guest list, big party, all-day storytelling.

Not sure? Ask your photographer to help build a timeline with you. I help every one of my couples map things out so their day flows beautifully and feels like them—not like a schedule someone found on Pinterest.