How Many Hours of Coverage do I Need?

This is a great question that I get asked ALL the time. Your wedding day is going to fly by in the blink of an eye and for this reason, having a timeline is extremely important. I love helping my couples put together their wedding day timeline and I am always here to help answer any questions you may have! Having a timeline will help relieve stress on your wedding day and ensure you have time to take photos and hang out with all the most important people in your life.

Everyone's wedding is different and from my experience 6 or 8 hours of coverage are the most common for a wedding. This is typically enough time to shoot getting ready until the reception.

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Some topics to think about when choosing a wedding package are as follows.

1. How many people will be in/ attending your wedding? The more people, the more coverage you may need.

2. Are you getting ready at the same location your ceremony and reception will be held? If you are, it will be much easier for your photographer to get all those important shots without having to factor in travel time. I always have a second shooter with me so when I am photographing the bride getting ready, my second is off taking photos of the groom. Although this helps save time, traveling from one location to another will need to be factored into your timeline.

3. Do you plan on having a first look? In my opinion, first looks are a wonderful part of a wedding. They allow you to have alone time with your partner and will give you time to enjoy your cocktail hour. If you do a first look we can get couples portraits, bridal party photos, and family formals done before the ceremony. If you don't do a first look all of those photos will have to happen during your cocktail hour and you may not have time to relax, eat, and welcome all your guests.

4. How important are reception photos to you? I want to be there to capture entrances, speeches, first dances, parent dances, and the bouquet toss, but if you want a shorter package we can discuss how many hours I will spend at the reception.

In order to help me determine the best package for you let me know the answers to the following questions

1. Where is the getting ready location for you and your partner?

2. Did you hire a videographer who is requesting extra time for letter readings, drone shots, etc?

3. Do you plan on doing a first look?

4. Do you have multiple locations you want to travel to for your portraits and first look?

5. What is the size of your wedding party?

6. Where is your ceremony located? start/ end time?

7. Where are your cocktail hour and reception located? What time will your wedding end?

Example Timeline

• Start coverage at 1:30-2:45

  • Bridal getting ready

    • (makeup/ hair)​

  • Details

    • Shoes, jewelry, etc...​

  • Second Shoots Groom

• Head to Venue 2:45-3:00

• Arrive at Venue 3:00-3:20

  • Ceremony details​

  • Cocktail hour details

  • Reception details

• First Look / Portraits 3:20-4:00

• Wedding Party Photos 4:00-4:30

  • I shoot brides/ bridesmaids​

  • Second shoots groom/ groomsmen

  • Shoot both party's together

• Family Formals 4:30-5:00

• Hide Before Ceremony as guests arrive 5:00- 5:30

• Ceremony 5:30-6:00

• Cocktail Hour 6:00-7:00

• Reception 7:00-9:30

  • Intros​

  • Dances

  • Speeches

  • Cake cutting