How Much Photography Coverage Do You Actually Need? Here's My Honest Take
Let’s be honest: trying to figure out how many hours of photography coverage you need for your wedding is a bit like trying to guess how long it’ll take to move house — you think it’ll take half the day, but somehow you’re still hauling boxes after dark, ordering pizza at 10pm, and wondering where your toothbrush ended up.
The same logic applies to weddings. What seems like “just a few key moments” ends up being a full-on, sun-up to sundown experience. And if you want those moments photographed authentically — not staged or rushed — then the reality is: you need more time.
So let’s break it down together. No pressure, no salesy pitch — just the honest, friendly advice I’d give my own friends.
What Does Wedding Photography Coverage Actually Include?
Here’s a quick rundown of what photographers are typically documenting throughout the day:
Getting ready (yes, more on this below)
Details (rings, invitations, flowers, dresses/suits, flat lays, etc.)
First look (if you're doing one)
Ceremony
Family formals
Wedding party photos
Couples portraits
Cocktail hour candids
Reception coverage (entrances, speeches, dinner, dances, cake, etc.)
Dance floor / late night moments
If you’re thinking, “But we’re not doing all of that,” — fair! Some couples keep things simple. But even with a streamlined timeline, once you start plugging in travel, touch-ups, family dynamics, and real-life moments, things fill out fast.
The Myth of the 6-Hour Wedding Coverage
I totally get it: 6 hours sounds like a solid chunk of time. That’s most of the day, right?
Not really. Here’s what usually doesn’t fit into 6 hours:
A relaxed getting ready session
A full set of family formals
A proper cocktail hour
Sunset portraits
More than 30–60 minutes of reception coverage
It becomes a bit of a rush job, and that shows in the final gallery. There’s less breathing room, less emotional unfolding, and more of a checklist feel. If you're investing in beautiful, meaningful photography — which I'm guessing you are — it’s worth investing in the time to do it properly. One of the most important tips I share with all of my clients is that if you want to feel present during your wedding day, the last thing you need is a rushed checklist of things to do—you need time.
Why 10+ Hours of Photography is Worth It (Seriously)
If you’re aiming for candid, natural, documentary-style photos — the kind that show how it felt, not just what it looked like — time is your best friend.
Here's why:
Candid moments don’t happen on a schedule. You can’t force a belly laugh or a teary hug between your mom and your maid of honour. Those happen when people feel relaxed and present, and that takes time.
More coverage = less stress. You don’t have to cram everything in. We can stretch things out, shift things as needed, and still capture it all beautifully.
Better light = better photos. With more hours, we can time your portraits around the best light of the day (hello, golden hour) instead of squeezing them in between ceremony and dinner.
You’ll have a full visual story of the day. From your morning coffee to your first dance to your gran cutting loose on the dance floor — the whole arc of your wedding day is preserved.
“But Do We Really Need Getting Ready Photos?”
Honestly? I hear this a lot — and I totally understand the hesitation. It might feel like overkill to have someone snapping pics while you’re brushing your teeth or sorting out your socks (which, by the way, is definitely not what the focus is here). But here’s what getting ready coverage really is:
You and your best friends blasting music, singing along while someone fixes your hair
The seriously real struggles of tying a bow tie (by the way, I’ve seen this take literally 30 minutes)
Your mom helping with your dress or veil
Someone losing it laughing because they forgot the ring, then finding it in their shoe
The groom(s) sharing a whiskey with the boys before any guests arrive (this is actually one of my family’s own wedding traditions)
It’s real, unfiltered life — and so much of the emotion happens here, before the ceremony even begins.
So no, it’s not just about “the lipstick shot.” It’s about the build-up, the anticipation, the joy. And it’s lovely to relive that.
How Many Hours Do Most Couples Book?
In my experience (and I’ve done this a lot), here’s what couples typically go with:
8 hours: Good for smaller weddings where everything is happening in one location. BUT — you’ll likely have to choose between getting ready photos or reception photos. There just isn’t enough time for both unless things are condensed. It can work, but be prepared to make tough timeline decisions.
10 hours: My sweet spot recommendation. Covers the full story — getting ready, portraits, ceremony, family photos, cocktail hour, dinner, speeches, dancing — with breathing room. While oftentimes this won’t cover the full reception party, there’s still enough time to get a few photos of people having fun on the dance floor.
12 hours: Perfect for large weddings, multi-location events, or couples who want coverage right through the final dance or sparkler send-off. This is the documentary-style sweet spot with plenty of time for authentic candids from throughout the day.
14 hours: Ideal for full-scale wedding weekends or truly immersive storytelling. Think early morning coffee with your loved ones, a full reception, and maybe even the after-party. You won’t miss a thing. This is the all-in amount of coverage, and if you want that documentary, honest feel, it’s the way to go.
Also worth noting: if you're planning a weekend wedding (welcome dinner, afterparty, brunch, etc.), you might want additional day coverage or a second shooter — but that's a whole other blog post.
Real Talk: The Timeline Adds Up Quickly
Let’s pretend you’re having a pretty standard wedding day:
Getting ready + details: 2.5 hours
First look + couples portraits: 1.5 hours
Wedding party + family formals: 1.5 hours
Ceremony: 30 minutes
Cocktail hour: 1 hour
Reception (entrances, dinner, speeches, first dance, party): 4+ hours
We’re already at 11 hours without factoring in travel between locations, delays, or time buffers. So yeah… it adds up.
What Happens If You Don’t Book Enough Time?
You don’t get more time — that’s the super harsh, short answer. But when coverage ends, it ends. And if a huge, emotional moment happens 20 minutes later… well, we won’t be there to capture it.
Photographers aren’t trying to upsell when we suggest more time. We’re trying to help you get the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’ve seen too many couples regret not having certain parts of the day photographed, or ask me to stay longer when I start saying my goodbyes. That’s the exact situation I always want to avoid—I’d hate to leave when people are just rolling up to the dance floor or before you’ve had the chance to cut your cake!
The key is that it’s not just about having more photos — it’s about having the right ones.
Tips for Choosing the Right Coverage for You
Think about what matters most. Do you want the full story? Just the highlights? Is the dance floor super important? Are you doing a grand exit?
Be honest about logistics. If you have more than one location, or a large wedding party, or family photos with lots of combinations — budget the time.
On that note, be honest about your family. Personally, I have a massive family, and all of us hate posing for photos. Wrangling family members is the absolute worst, and honestly, half of the allotted time for family formals in the timelines I make for all of my clients, well that usually is dedicated to just getting people where they need to be. If you know your family will be arriving late, hard to find, or have mobility issues making it harder to get to the right location on time, budget the time.
Ask your photographer for guidance. A good photographer will help you build a timeline that makes sense for your unique day. I create timelines for each and every one of my clients so that there are no surprises, and we know even months before the wedding exactly what we have time for.
Buffer in extra time. Things always take longer than planned (hair and makeup, anyone?). More coverage gives you margin.
Don’t assume shorter = cheaper. Yes, you save on hours, but you might lose moments you’ll wish you had later.
Final Thoughts: It’s More Than Just Hours — It’s Your Memories
Photography coverage isn’t just a line item on a spreadsheet. It’s your memories. It’s your people. It’s the way your wedding day felt — captured forever.
Six hours might sound efficient, but it can mean rushing through some of the best parts, and not feeling present for the day itself. Ten+ hours or more gives us the time to slow down, breathe, and let the day unfold naturally — which is when the real magic happens.
So if you’re on the fence, here’s my best advice: give yourself the gift of time. You only get to live this day once. Let’s make sure you get to relive it in full. And if you’re still not sure? Reach out! I’m happy to walk you through your timeline, talk through your priorities, and figure out what makes the most sense — no pressure.
Your wedding photos should feel like you — and that takes time. Let’s make it count.