Let’s face the truth: 99.9% of brides don’t know how long they will need their wedding photographer there on their wedding day. There are so many details and decisions that have an impact on it:
sunset time
how many people are in your bridal party
will there be travel between your venues
how big are your families
are you doing a lot of first looks
how long is your reception
To be honest, those are just a few of the deciding factors! Plus, every photographer has different preferences based on their expertise, experience level, and style.
Sadly, there’s no magic formula floating around on Pinterest or shared in a TikTok video that’s going to help you. With the help of the following 3 tips, you can narrow it down a little on your own and make a wise decision when booking.
Always Start Low
That may sound basic, but every photographer we know is willing to add on coverage later on down the line. We’d rather you think you need a little less than what you end up with to spare your budget. 8 hours is a great starting point for most traditional weddings. Look through your photographer’s offerings and find the one that matches all the other pieces you want- like an album, prints, etc.
Just don’t be the cringy person who asks for 4 hours of coverage on a wedding day when you have a 3-4-hour-long reception. It’s just unrealistic and will set you up for disappointment.
Ask Photographers as You Interview Them
Don’t be afraid to ask a photographer the starting point they would recommend. Most photographers don’t want to oversell you on time for a number of reasons. A great photographer will ask you basic questions like the ones we stated above and give you a ballpark idea. Trust them and add on later if you need to or as details are set in stone.
Also, ask them about their process for building a wedding day timeline and what they will need from you. For our team, we send out a pre-wedding questionnaire that asks all the relevant details we need to know, and we build it custom for each couple based on their answers and venue restrictions.
There is No Such Thing as “All Day Coverage”
The current trend is to sell all-day coverage. It sounds amazing! Who wouldn’t want their photographer there from start to finish?
Most of the time, when a photographer is selling this kind of package, they specify what constitutes the start of the day. For a lot of them, they allot 2 hours before the ceremony as the official start of that “all day coverage.” Ask them specifically what that entails and if you really have them all day long.
Second, take a moment to really think if you and your fiancé are comfortable having a camera in your face for your entire wedding day. If you start hair and makeup at 6 and exit at 11, that’s a lot of time spent with your photographer capturing photos. It can be physically and emotionally draining (think of how your cheeks hurt from smiling all day). Some people don’t love that level of attention; others just don’t care for a ton of the same friends busting moves on the dance floor, or aren’t interested in 3 hours of hair-and-makeup shots.
Lastly, all-day coverage might sound awesome, but if your venue only allows you on the property for 8 or 10 hours, the extra time may end up being a moot point. You may do better with a complimentary package to what your venue offers.
At the end of the day, you won’t know how many hours you need until closer to your wedding day, and that is 100% normal. Find an experienced wedding photography team to help educate you and build a timeline with you. You can always add on time and adjust as your wedding gets closer.
