How Long should I have a Photographer at my wedding?
Would you believe me if I told you that is the most frequently asked question that I get asked as a wedding photographer? Figuring out your timeline is one of the hardest parts of planning your wedding but do not worry I have all the tea to help make it easy to determine the perfect amount of time to have a photographer at your wedding.
If you’ve started the search for a wedding photographer, you’ve probably noticed you generally have the option of booking coverage for anywhere from 6-10 hours sometimes even more! This can be extremely overwhelming especially if you have no clue about your plan or where to start!
7 hours
I strongly recommend 7 hours only for when you’re having a smaller/intimate wedding. So 100 guests or less and a small bridal party. Otherwise, there’s a big chance I will be trying my best to cram everything in and be forced to leave something out that you really wanted to be captured. 7 hours will give you your necessities (ceremony, newlywed, bridal party, family, reception, fake exit, and some getting ready, etc.) but can require cuts for your dream photos.
8 hours
Generally speaking, this is the sweet spot for my couples, all parts of your day should be covered, from getting ready photos to you absolutely destroying it on the dance floor! This is my most popular package and you can’t go wrong with it! If you want your day to be lower stress and more time to take everything in this a great choice.
9 hours
This package is for the couple that wants it all with no stress at all! This package is the most luxurious way to have your wedding! If you want to be less stressed, get all the photos from all parts of the day, and relax with your girls or guys and your partner, look no further because 9 hours is exactly what you need! You will have all of the time to sip mimosas with your girls, smoke a cigar with the guys, and enjoy all the family there with no added pressure to get ready fast. If you are a person who enjoys no stress this is made for you! If something falls behind in your timeline nine hours allows for photos to be moved around so you will not have to worry about missing your Instagram worth moments!
Just a few other tips to keep in mind:
1. If you have a really big bridal party/big family. The bigger your bridal party/family, the longer pictures will take and that’s just how it is.
2. If you tend to get stressed out easily, giving yourself more time for pictures allows you to move at a slower pace throughout the day. There’s a much less likely chance of falling behind schedule, and if you do, no worries we got plenty of time to get back on track.
3. More time for your photographer to work = more creative pictures. Wedding days are BUSY, and oftentimes we as the photographer have to work and act quickly. Giving me more time to get inspired and play around with lighting and poses, will ultimately leave you with better pictures and that Pinterest-worthy feel and I mean who doesn’t love that!
Still don’t know which hour package is best for you? No worries send me an inquiry, I have pre-drafted 7, 8, and 9-hour timelines for all my couples to look over and help them decide what is best for them!
