As you embark on the incredible journey of planning your wedding day, there’s one aspect that holds immense importance: the hours of wedding photography coverage. The memories made on your special day are priceless! It’s crucial to find the right amount of time to capture every precious moment. However, as most couples discover when they dive into wedding planning, it’s challenging to know what would be the best fit for you two.
Today, I want to be a resource for you so that you two can make the best decision that aligns with your wedding day priorities. I’ll explore the traditional options of wedding photography coverage, and how they can beautifully encapsulate your wedding story.
6 Hours of Wedding Photography Coverage
When you first begin looking at photographers, a 6 hour collection can feel very tempting. You already had to put down so much for other vendors! The thought “We can probably fit everything in 6 hours” feels tempting to follow.
However, your wedding day is not something that should feel rushed. Or like you’re on a strict timeline with no room to enjoy the day.
I typically recommend a 6 hour collection to my couples with elopements or intimate weddings with less than 50 people. With a smaller group to manage, the wedding day typically flows more smoothly. This approach allows for a relaxed and unhurried atmosphere, creating a beautiful and authentic visual narrative of the special day.
“Can you still have 6 hours of photo coverage with a larger wedding – like 100 – 150 guests?”
Alternatively, a 6 hour collection can work with a larger wedding.
Every couple has unique wedding day priorities. If you are willing to forego detail and getting ready photos, and prefer a focus on essential moments such as the ceremony, family portraits, and key reception events like parent dances and toasts, a 6-hour collection is a great option. This tailored approach ensures coverage of all major highlights while accommodating individual preferences and timeline constraints.
Detail photos can include your dress, rings, shoes, florals, invitation suite, jewelry, vow books, or heirloom items. Detail photos capture the essence and beauty of a wedding day, showcasing intricate arrangements, personalized decor, and sentimental heirlooms. They create a comprehensive visual narrative and lasting reminder of your unique style and vision. However, they often require 30-45 minutes to capture thoroughly. This time commitment can be a challenge for couples with a 6-hour photography package, leading many to opt out of having these specific shots taken.
8 Hours of Wedding Photography Coverage
An 8-hour photography package is a top choice for weddings! It strikes a balance between documenting key preparation moments, capturing intricate details, and covering significant parts of the reception.
This timeframe ensures comprehensive coverage of most of the day. From the excitement of getting ready to the heartfelt moments during the ceremony, and through to the celebratory events at the reception. The ample duration also provides flexibility for your photographer to capture candid expressions, emotional interactions, and spontaneous happenings that add depth and authenticity to your wedding story. Overall, an 8-hour package offers a well-rounded coverage that beautifully encapsulates the essence and highlights of your special day. This duration strikes a balance between capturing all the essential elements of the day while also accommodating the enjoyment of the celebration.
“But shouldn’t my photographer arrive when we start getting ready?”
While every wedding is unique, I’ve found that arriving right after the bride has finished getting her hair ready is the perfect time to begin capturing those first memorable moments. This time allows me to design and capture the beautiful details she has planned so carefully while applying her makeup. As her hair and makeup is finished, her dress pristine, and the sweet scent of mimosas and decadent treats fills the air, it’s the perfect time to capture those timeless getting-ready portraits filled with joy, laughter, and excitement.
“But 8 hours just seems so long for wedding. We’re camera-shy!”
For some couples, being in front of a camera can be quite daunting, especially on your wedding day. But this may surprise you: more photo coverage can actually be better, especially if you’re camera-shy.
The extended time frame allows for breaks from continuous photography, allowing you to slow down and relax throughout the day. This leisurely pace fosters a more comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere. Which makes it easier to feel at ease in front of the camera! By alleviating the pressure and creating a relaxed environment, couples can truly be themselves and let their authentic personalities shine through in the photographs.
“We can’t decide between the 6-hour and 8-hour collection.”
It’s essential to consider your priorities and what must be captured on your wedding day. The 8-hour collection offers more flexibility and breathing room, ensuring you can relax and enjoy each moment without feeling rushed or constrained by time.
If you’re truly undecided, I also offer customizable options that cater to your specific needs and preferences. For instance, you can consider a 7-hour collection as a great compromise for couples who cannot decide between the 6-hour and 8-hour packages.This flexible option allows you to have slightly more coverage than the 6 hours, providing a balance between capturing all your important moments and staying within your desired timeframe.
“Will 8 hours of photo coverage be enough to cover my wedding from beginning to end?”
The short answer? It depends on your unique needs and priorities.
The long answer requires a bit more explanation. Generally, 8 hours is a good timeframe for capturing those bigger, most cherished moments of the wedding day. The heartfelt getting ready moments, the intricate details, the heart-melting first look, the soul-stirring ceremony, the timeless family photos, the tender first dance, the heartfelt toasts, the joyous parent dances, the sweet cake cutting. All those special moments that make your wedding day unforgettable.
However, there are times when you may need more coverage to ensure that you capture all the unique moments that matter most to you. Perhaps you have a surprise performance in mind. Or you want to capture all the fun and joy of your wild dance floor shenanigans. Or have some travel in mind for your guests from the ceremony to reception. Maybe you simply want more time to capture thoughtful candid moments shared between loved ones. Let’s dive into when 10 hours of photo coverage would be right for you.
10 Hours of Wedding Photography Coverage
A comprehensive 10-hour wedding photo coverage is a perfect choice for couples who want to document all the intricate details and memorable moments of their your day.
With 10 hours of coverage, couples can ensure that every last moment of their reception is captured. From the genuine laughter and heartfelt speeches to the intimate whispers shared during the final dance, these treasured memories will be captured and preserved for a lifetime. The grand exit, whether it involves sparklers, rose petals, or a shower of confetti, can also be beautifully documented, capturing the contagious euphoria and overwhelming love that radiates as the newlyweds bid farewell to their guests.
The additional hours allow for a deeper storytelling approach. This extended coverage allows for the creation of a comprehensive visual narrative that encompasses the entire journey of your wedding day. This ensures that no special or significant moment goes uncaptured.
“What if our ceremony and reception are in different locations?”
Traveling to different locations can add a layer of complexity to your wedding day. However, it’s often necessary, especially if your getting ready space, ceremony, reception, or portraits will be in different spots.
The key to smooth travel on your wedding day is careful planning. Start by mapping out the distances between all the locations you’ll be visiting. Whether it’s from the church to your reception venue or from your getting-ready location to the ceremony site. Once you have these distances, here’s a tip: add about 10-15 minutes of buffer time.
Let me give you an example. Imagine your church is just a short 15-minute drive away from the AirBnB where you and your girls got ready. By adding that buffer time, you can plan for the trip to take roughly 30 minutes. Trust me, it’s not just about the distance. It’s accounting for the inevitable moments—gathering a group of people to move, the unpredictability of traffic that can sometimes play tricks on our plans, and the little things that may get left behind. That buffer time will help you stay on track and ensure a stress-free wedding day.
Choosing the Right Amount of Wedding Photography Coverage
When it comes to choosing the perfect amount of photo coverage for your wedding day, it’s all about understanding your unique priorities and needs, and finding a photographer who deeply cares about capturing the essence of your love story.
Close your eyes for a moment and let your dreams paint a vibrant picture in your mind. Envision the moments that hold the most significance to you both.
Is it the anticipation and excitement of getting ready with your loved ones by your side?
Or perhaps it’s that magical moment of locking eyes with your soulmate for the first time? As if time stands still and the world fades away.
And what about the grand exit?
That final chapter of your remarkable day, when you bid farewell to your loved ones and embark on a new adventure together as newlyweds. Will it be a shower of confetti, a sparkler-lit pathway, or the warm glow of candlelight leading the way?
These are the details that weave together the tapestry of your love story, each thread adding depth and significance to the precious memories you’ll hold dear.
Remember, no two love stories are alike.
Each one is a beautiful, unique masterpiece, crafted with its own set of dreams, desires, and priorities. Some couples long for professional photos capturing every detail, every fleeting moment, while others crave a more low-key celebration where the focus is on those big, emotional moments that make their hearts skip a beat.
But here’s the thing: you deserve to have a photographer who truly understands your priorities and needs. Someone who will document your day with an unwavering passion, an eye for those silent, tender moments, and a knack for capturing the joy found in life’s simplest pleasures.
You can contact me here to do just that on your wedding day.
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August 23, 2024
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