When you start looking at wedding photography packages, you are immediately hit with numbers: 6 hours, 8 hours, 10 hours, or even 12 hours. If you have never planned a wedding before, it is incredibly difficult to know exactly how much coverage you actually need to tell the full story of your day.
A common myth I hear all the time is, "We are having our ceremony and reception at the same venue, so we probably only need 6 or 8 hours, right?" Actually, I highly recommend the opposite! Even if your entire wedding day takes place on one beautiful property, booking a 10 or 12-hour package is the absolute best way to ensure your day is documented perfectly—without feeling like you are running a marathon. Here is a breakdown of what different photography timelines actually look like so you can choose the perfect fit for your day.
The 6 to 8-Hour Packages: The "Fast-Paced" Day Six to eight hours of coverage might sound like a long time, but on a wedding day, it flies by in the blink of an eye. When we are working with 8 hours or less, we have to be extremely strategic and, to be honest, we usually have to cut out parts of your story.
The Trade-off: With 8 hours, you usually have to choose between your photographer capturing your morning "getting ready" moments with your bridesmaids, OR staying late enough to capture your grand sparkler exit. You rarely get both.
The Pace: If hair and makeup run 30 minutes late (which happens at almost every wedding!), an 8-hour timeline gets very crunched. It means less time for your couple portraits and a rushed feeling before you walk down the aisle.
The 10-Hour Package: The "Breathe & Enjoy" Timeline (Highly Recommended) This is where the magic happens. A 10-hour package allows us to capture the entire story of your day at a relaxed, comfortable pace. Even at a single venue, having 10 hours changes the entire vibe of your wedding.
Slow Mornings: We get to capture the details (your rings, dress, invitation suite) and the fun, candid moments of you and your friends getting ready, without anyone frantically checking their watch.
The Safety Buffer: If anything runs behind schedule, you don't panic. We have plenty of built-in cushion time.
More Portraits, Less Posing: With 10 hours, we don't have to squeeze all your photos into one 30-minute window. We can do a gorgeous First Look, knock out family formals early, and then sneak you out for 30 minutes at sunset for those dreamy golden hour shots while your guests eat dinner.
The 12-Hour Package: The Ultimate Storytelling Experience If you want every single detail documented, from the morning coffee to the final dance, 12 hours is the ultimate luxury. This package is perfect if you want extensive coverage of the reception. A lot of the best, most hilarious, and most memorable photos happen late in the evening when everyone lets loose on the dance floor! A 12-hour package guarantees I am there for the outfit changes, the late-night snacks, the private last dance in an empty room, and the grand exit. You get to be fully present and just experience your wedding, knowing I am there to capture all of it.
The Good News? We Plan It Together. I never expect my couples to have their timeline figured out before they book. Custom timeline assistance is included in every wedding package I offer. We will sit down, look at your vision, and build a timeline that ensures we capture every moment you want without the stress.
