How Much Photography Coverage Do You Really Need At Your Wedding?

One of the most common questions I get as a wedding photographer is:
“How many hours of photography do we actually need?”

It’s a great question—and the answer depends on your plans, your priorities, and a few logistics. Let’s break it down so you can figure out the perfect amount of coverage without overbooking (or missing anything important).

Start with the basics: What do you want captured?

Here are the major moments most couples want photographed:

• Getting ready (makeup, hair, robe moments, first looks with parents/friends)

• Details (dress, rings, florals, invitations, etc.)

• First look (if you’re doing one)

• Ceremony

• Family + wedding party portraits

• Couples portraits

• Reception events (first dance, toasts, cake cutting, dance floor, etc.)

• Golden hour or sunset portraits (trust me, you’ll want these)

Depending on what’s important to you, coverage can range from a sweet-and-simple 4-hour elopement to a full 10-12 hour wedding day story.

Typical Packages: What Do the Hours Actually Look Like?

6 Hours of Coverage

Ideal for:

• Small weddings or elopements

• No formal reception or fewer traditional events

• One location (ceremony and reception in the same place)
  

  What’s covered:

• Ceremony

• Couple + family photos

• Some getting ready or early reception coverage
  

  What might be missed:

• Full getting ready/Details

• A First Look

• Party/dancing

• Sunset portraits if your timeline is tight

8 Hours of Coverage (Most Popular!)

Ideal for:

• Traditional weddings with all the major moments

• Couples who want a relaxed timeline and space for portraits
  

  What’s covered:

• Full getting ready through major reception moments

• First look (if you’re doing one)

• Sunset portraits

• Plenty of candid magic

9+ Hours of Coverage

Ideal for:

• Big weddings with multiple locations

• Cultural/multi-day celebrations

• You want everything documented, start to finish (including a grand exit)
  

  What’s covered:

• Everything from morning mimosas to late-night dance floor chaos

• Full story of your day, no rushing

• Time buffer for unexpected delays (yes, they happen)

Things That Affect How Much Time You’ll Need

• Are you getting ready at the same location as your partner? If not, account for travel time.

• Are you doing a first look? That shifts the timeline and might reduce the need for post-ceremony portraits.

• How big is your family/wedding party? More people = more time for portraits.

• Do you care about reception photos? Some couples want full party coverage, others just want toasts + cake.

  Sample Timelines (Colorado Edition 🏔️)

  6-Hour Timeline — Backyard Wedding in Evergreen

  • 2:00 PM – Photographer arrives for final touches + detail shots

  • 3:30 PM – Ceremony

  • 4:00 PM – Family portraits + wedding party

  • 5:00 PM – Couple portraits

  • 5:30 PM – Reception/Dinner begins

  • 6:30PM – Toasts/Cake cutting

  • 7:00 PM - Golden Hour Photos

  • 7:30 PM - First Dance followed by Open Dancing

  • 8:30 PM – Coverage ends

  8-Hour Timeline — River Bend in Lyons

  • 1:00 PM – Getting ready on on-site

  • 2:30 PM – First look by the river

  • 3:00 PM – Wedding party + family portraits

  • 4:30 PM – Ceremony under the cottonwoods

  • 5:00 PM – Cocktail hour / candid moments

  • 6:00 PM – Grand entrance, dinner

  • 6:45 PM – Sunset portraits

  • 7:15 PM – Toast, First Dance

  • 7:45 PM Dancing begins

  • 9:00 PM – Coverage wraps with some dance floor magic

  10-Hour Timeline — Mountaintop Wedding in Breckenridge

  • 12:00 PM – Getting ready in Airbnb (two locations)

  • 2:00 PM – First look on Sapphire Point

  • 3:00 PM – Wedding Park Photos

  • 3:30 PM - Shuttle to venue

  • 4:30 PM – Ceremony at The Lodge at Breckenridge

  • 5:00 PM – Cocktail hour + family portraits

  • 6:000 PM – Reception starts (toasts, dinner, first dance)

  • 7:00 PM – Golden hour portraits overlooking the mountains

  • 8:30 PM – Full party mode + dance floor

  • 9:00 PM – Late-night snack truck

  • 10 PM – Sparkler Exit and Coverage Ends

    Pro Tip: Build Your Timeline With Your Photographer

Your photographer (hi, it’s me 👋) isn’t just there to take pretty pictures—we’re also timeline magicians. I always help my couples create a timeline that fits their priorities and makes the most of the light.

Still Not Sure?

If you’re stuck between packages, I always recommend starting with 8 hours. It’s the sweet spot for most weddings and gives us room to breathe. You can always add on extra time if needed.

TL;DR

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

• 4-6 hours = elopements, small weddings, no frills

• 8 hours = the full experience without overdoing it

• 10+ hours = big days, multi-location weddings, lots of traditions

Have questions or want help building your timeline? I’d love to chat—reach out here and let’s make your wedding day feel easy, intentional, and beautifully documented.