How Many Hours Should I book my wedding photographer for?
“I felt rushed”
“We didnt get all the photos we want”
“The day went by too quickly”
These are all common phrases I read in Facebook and Reddit bridal groups on the DAILY
Whether in the attempt to either save funds for other aspects of the wedding, because 8-10+ hours sounds like a lot, or just because youre best friends sister only hired their photogrpaher for 2 hours, not allocating enough time to live your day intentioanlly may be one of the BIGGEST MISTAKES YOU CAN MAKE on your wedding day.
The best moments happen naturally. The laugh because your snorted while drinking champagne; the ever-so-lovely dirt ombre on your dress after a day of adventuring with the love of your life; snuggling up on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa (or a hot toddy) after a wild party with your friends…
These moments, the beautiful memories deserve to be lived and experiences fully—captured in their true eseence and not feigned.
So…
In order to not be one of those couples with post wedding blues and filled with regret (or a hefty bill for going over thier alloted time), here is a quick guide to talk you through coverage hours for your event.
Now now, you might be thinking
“Kayla, 6 hours is PLENTY…”
This is the #1 amount of hours MOST couples think they need….
well let me tell you
90% of my couples have gone over this time. Yea…its that much
Getting ready setting up video, hiking, camping, offroading, dancing, singing, laughing, falling (multiple times), family, etc all take time and deserve space to exist in your day. The small moments that come with each of these deserve space. Things take longer than you think.
So to just get straight to it, here are some tips:
If you want getting ready photos—you will want more than 3 hours
If you want an adventure activity—you will want more than 6 hours
If you have family memebers/friends there—you will want more than 4 hours
If you plan on doing anything “traditional wedding” such as cutting cake, first dance, champagne pop, vow exchange—you will want more than 4 hours
If you plan on going to multiple locations—you will want more than 6 hours
Just book the 10+ hours
Thank me later