How Many Hours of Wedding Photography Coverage Do You Need?
Coverage isn't about hours. It's about which parts of the day you want to keep.
"How many hours do we need?" is one of the first questions couples ask me.
The honest answer is that it depends on how your day is shaped — but there are patterns, and there are two moments people almost always regret cutting.
What each part of the day needs from your hours of wedding photography coverage
Every block of the day asks for a different slice of your hours of wedding photography coverage.
Preparations — about ninety minutes to two hours, if you want both partners covered.
Ceremony — thirty minutes to an hour, plus the exit.
Aperitivo and portraits — around ninety minutes, including your couple session.
Dinner and speeches — ninety minutes to two hours.
Party — the first dance plus at least an hour of dancing.
Six, eight or ten hours
Six hours covers a compact day: late getting-ready, ceremony, portraits, dinner, first dance.
Eight hours is the most common choice — it lets us start with both of you preparing and stay well into the party.
Ten hours suits destination weddings with welcome moments, spread-out venues, or a long night you want documented to the end.
If the budget forces a choice, protect the end of getting ready and the first hour of the party.
The two moments people regret cutting
First, the end of getting ready — the last twenty minutes before you leave the room, when the nerves and the excitement are at their peak.
Second, the first hour of the party, when the dance floor fills and the pictures are at their loosest and most joyful.
How my collections map to this
My tailor-made Orion coverage starts at three hours with one photographer, for elopements and intimate weddings.
Sirius covers up to eight hours with two photographers; Vega, Rigel and Polaris go up to ten.
Extra hours can always be added. Details in the collections.
What I believe
I'd rather you booked the right number of hours than the biggest number. Tell me how your day is shaped and I'll tell you honestly where coverage should start and stop.
Not sure how many hours you need?
Send me your rough timeline and I'll tell you what I'd cover and why. I reply within 24 hours. See also my guide to whether you need two photographers.
Frequently asked questions
Is eight hours enough for a wedding?
For most weddings at a single venue, yes. It covers preparations through to a good stretch of the party.
Should coverage include the full party?
At least the first dance and an hour of dancing. The energy peaks early; the last hour is often more of the same.
Can we add hours later?
Yes, up to a few weeks before the wedding, subject to availability.
Do destination weddings need more coverage?
Often — because venues are spread out and there are welcome dinners or day-after brunches you may want documented.
What if our day runs late?
We agree a start and end time, and if things overrun we can usually extend on the day and settle it afterwards.
