How to Choose the Right Amount of Photography & Videography Coverage for Your Wedding Day.

One of the most common questions I hear from couples is: “How many hours of coverage do we actually need?” This completely depends on your wedding day plans, your priorities, and the moments you don’t want to miss.

Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a full-day celebration, understanding what each coverage option typically includes can help you make the best decision.

Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you decide between 6, 8, or 10 hours of photography and videography coverage.

You deserve to have all of your must have & in between moments captured; each wedding is unique so don't try to fit yours into a premade box.

When deciding on the perfect amount of coverage for your day and the planning + building of your timeline here are a few key things to think about:

• Do you have one wedding location or multiple? ( the biggest mistake is not accounting for the drive time and gathering of people between locations )

• Do you have a small wedding party or a large wedding party? ( a smaller group = quicker group photos )

• Are you doing immediate family or extended family for family portraits ( the more groupings, the more time this portion takes! On average an immediate family grouping can take 15 to 30 minutes and a extended grouping can take up to an hour )

• Do you plan to do a first look? ( having a first look means more time with your partner throughout the day + this means you can complete couples portraits & wedding party before the ceremony! This option can also allow you more time to attend cocktail hour to mingle with guests. BUT no worries if you are having a traditional aisle viewing, your timeline will just need to be structured differently & you may need an earlier ceremony start time depending on the season and time of year. ) CHECK OUT THIS BLOG POST - " Should you do first look?" https://www.bethanysannyphotoandfilm.com/post/should-you-do-a-first-look-on-your-wedding-day-a-question-asked-by-many

• Seasons can impact your wedding day timeline, the earlier the sun sets the earlier your ceremony start will need to be! ( when planning a earlier ceremony, plan for a earlier start time overall for the whole day! )

Before diving into the differences between 6, 8, & 10 hours of coverage; lets go over what events of the day are actually taking place within a timeline & some common planning thoughts that you may over look during the preparing of a timeline but they sneak up on wedding day!

DETAILS -

• Having all of the items that you want photographed gathered in a box and prepped ( unwrapped, no tags, cleaned & organized ) can make flat lay photos go quicker and seamless.

• For photos of your dress / suit, have it steamed and unbagged

• Plan for 35 to 45 minutes for these images

• Check out this blog for the things to include for detail photos - https://www.bethanysannyphotoandfilm.com/post/wedding-day-details-box-a-guide-for-all-of-the-items-you-as-a-couple-should-include

GETTING READY -

Pajama Photos:

• If you plan to include pajama photos, your wedding party will need to be in those pajamas on time, this also means a clear space within the getting ready suite to complete these or taking them in a different spot in the venue.

  • If you want a private moment to get your dress or suit on -- your wedding party will need to get dressed and vacate the space, this often takes quite a bit of time for everyone to get around and gather their needed items.

Getting in your dress / suit:

• When it's time to put your dress/suit on, the person " assisting " you in getting dressed needs to be fully ready before starting this!

  • If you want clutter free images, the space will need to have been picked up and organized ahead of time.

  • Allow time for putting on your undergarments & if your dress has a lot of buttons, prepare for extended time ( this is commonly overlooked when building timelines)

  • When putting in your veil - do you need assistance?

  • Plan for up to 30 minutes for these photos

FIRST LOOK -

• Plan for up to 25 minutes to complete your first look + vows with your partner!!

• Do you plan to have a first look with anyone other than your partner? ( plan for 5 to 10 minutes for each first look that is taking place )

• If you plan on doing vows during your first look, have your vow books with you ahead of time.

• Is there a specific area around the venue that you like best for this or another location? ( account for travel time )

WEDDING PARTY -

• During this time we will complete both sides of the wedding party ( example: bridesmaids + bride, each bridesmaid with bride , groomsmen + groom, each groomsmen + groom )

• Entire wedding party ( posed formals + fun group photos )

• Plan for up to 30 minutes.

COUPLES + SOLO PORTRAITS -

• Have your bouquet ready ( stems dried )

• Plan for up to 45 minutes for these images + 15 to 20 minutes later in the timeline if you are doing sunset images too!

CEREMONY -

• On average a ceremony takes anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes ( & up to an hour for religious ceremonies )

• To ensure a on time start time here's a few tips

  • When sending invites, ask guests to arrive 20 to 30 minutes ahead of start time. This allows them time to find their seat and be seated without lingering. ( if you plan to have a guest book upon ceremony entry, ask them to arrive up to 45 minutes ahead of time, guest books tend to create a line )

  • If you are having a outdoor ceremony during hot months, think about providing hand fans & umbrellas / parasols so that if you have guest arriving early they are comfortable during the wait.

  • Have your family and wedding party lining up 15 minutes before start time

  • After your ceremony exit, immediately go off by yourself to create a seamless transition into family photos ( if you are in the cocktail area, guests will be pulling you all directions )

FAMILY PHOTOS -

• Are you doing immediate family or extended family for family portraits ( the more groupings, the more time this portion takes! On average an immediate family grouping can take 15 to 30 minutes and a extended grouping can take up to an hour )

• Alert your families ahead of time who will need to be in photos & have the officiant make an announcement for them to stay at the ceremony site following the ceremony to complete these photos.

• Plan for photos request ( politely letting guests and other family members know that you will be taking photos during the reception with people and that this portion is for your formal photos )

• Keeping groupings of people simple will help save time

COCKTAIL HOUR -

• This is typically a time for tons of candid photos of you and your partner mingling with guests, enjoying signature beverages & capturing photos with guest groups before starting your reception!

• If you want to attend your cocktail hour, think of doing a first look or limiting photos after the ceremony!

RECEPTION -

• Receptions often flow well once the evening starts! A few things to think of:

• Dinner

  • Once you start dinner, it can take up to an hour for all guests to receive their plate or make their way through a line.

  • While you are eating, its also the best time for your media team to eat dinner and then rejoin the reception just before speeches.

• Speeches

  • Ask the bar to stop serving roughly 10 minutes before speeches and toasts and to resume serving afterwards - this limits the amount of foot traffic during these special moments and makes sure people can hear them.

  • Plan for up to 10 minutes per speech ( people get emotional and may need extra time to get through their speeches )

• Cake Cutting

  • Plan for 5 to 10 minutes for cake / dessert cutting, once youre finished you can move on and someone can be designated to cut and serve the cake

• Dances

  • Plan for 3 to 5 minutes for each special dance

• Dance Floor

  • The best way to have a fun dance floor is for you and your partner to be on the dance floor together, this also helps have those fun free spirited dance floor photos that are candid!

  • This portion of the night usually lasts for 45 minutes up to an hour and a half

  • Something to think of: are you having other interactive things such as a live painter or photo booth? ( this can take away from your dance floor experience as people will be spread between the spaces BUT can add to the overall experience of your wedding reception! )

• Wedding Exit

  • Exits usually are very quick, averaging up to 5 minutes of coverage ( gathering your guests outside or inside into lines and passing out sparklers, glow sticks, ribbons, bubbles etc... can take up to 15 to 20 minutes in total.

  • If you are doing a fake exit this could take less time, but if you are doing a end of night exit people will need more time to gather their belongings if they are not being allowed back inside the venue after exiting!

6 Hours: Perfect for Intimate Weddings

Six hours of coverage typically works the best for couples that are hosting a smaller, more intimate wedding. This option is ideal for couples who want to capture the most meaningful moments of their shorter celebration without a long day of coverage. Typically, a 6-hour package includes either the final part of getting ready or detailed shots such as rings, invitations, and styled flatlays. Coverage extends through the ceremony, includes solo and couples portraits, wedding party and family photos, as well as key reception moments like dinner, toasts, and the first dances. Most 6-hour packages wrap up just before the dance floor opens fully, so while you’ll capture the essential celebrations and connection, the late-night party won’t be included. This option is perfect for couples who value quality over quantity and are planning a relaxed, intimate day.

SAMPLE TIMELINES * Based off of a 4:00 pm Ceremony Start

8 Hours: The Most Popular Choice

Eight hours of coverage is the sweet spot for most weddings and the most popular choice for couples. It allows for a full day without feeling rushed, while still capturing all of the essential moments. Typically, 8 hours covers a portion of the getting ready process for both partners, including final touches and personal details such as flatlay, rings and stationary. You’ll have full ceremony coverage, family and wedding party photos, and more extensive couples portraits, often at multiple locations. Reception coverage usually includes the grand entrance, first dances, toasts, cake cutting, and candid moments with guests. With 8 hours, you also typically get the first part of the dance party and even a mock wedding exit if the timeline allows, giving a great sense of the celebration’s energy while still wrapping up before the night ends. This package is ideal for couples who want a complete storytelling experience of their day without stretching coverage to the full night.

SAMPLE TIMELINES * Based off of a 4:00pm Ceremony Start

10 Hours: Full-Day Coverage

For couples who want every single moment of their wedding day documented, 10 hours is considered full-day coverage. This option is perfect for longer wedding days, multiple venues, or when you want maximum flexibility to include every detail and event. Ten-hour coverage typically starts with early getting ready shots for both partners, including hair, makeup, and all the small details. Many couples include a first look during this time, as well as extended portraits of the couple and wedding party before the ceremony. You’ll have full ceremony coverage, family photos, cocktail hour and extended reception coverage. This package usually captures the entire reception, including all dances, speeches, candid guest moments, and a full end-of-night exit. Ten hours ensures no moment goes undocumented, creating a complete cinematic story from the first preparations through the final celebration.

SAMPLE TIMELINES * Based off of a 4:00pm Ceremony Start

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right coverage comes down to your wedding style, timeline, and priorities.

Six hours works beautifully for intimate or minimalist weddings where the focus is on the ceremony, portraits, and key reception moments.

Eight hours is the most popular choice, covering all the essentials plus the start of the celebration and first part of the dance party.

Ten hours is full-day coverage, perfect for couples who want a complete story of their day, including a full end-of-night exit.

No matter which option you choose, your photographer and videographer are there to tell the story of your wedding day. By selecting coverage that fits your vision and timeline, you’ll ensure your memories are preserved beautifully for years to come.

CAPTURING YOUR LOVE

Anywhere your love story leads, I would love to connect with you. Let’s chat about your dream coverage and explore the wedding packages that Bethany Sanny Photo and Film offers.

Hi there! Im Bethany Sanny your new celebrator of love.

My goal is to be a resource and a supporter during this process!

It is an honor & I am grateful you are here!

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