How Much Wedding Photography Coverage Do I Need? Alabama + North Georgia Wedding Photographer
Once you find a wedding photographer, it’s time to decide how much wedding photography coverage you need. Your needs will vary greatly depending on the guest count, wedding party size, travel time between locations (if applicable), and whether you’re doing a First Look. All of this can feel daunting and confusing, which is why I’m here to help!
Psst…Check out my other wedding-planning resources:
I’m Engaged, Now What? Wedding Planning Timeline + Checklist
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21 Beautiful Gulf Coast Wedding Venues
After 12 years as a professional Alabama, Chattanooga and North Georgia wedding photographer, I’ve unlocked the key to picking the perfect amount of coverage during your wedding. Here’s a handy wedding day breakdown to help you determine your photography needs:
How Much Wedding Photography Coverage Do I Need?
1. Details + Getting Ready: 1.5 Hours
It’s all in the details! Capturing shots of the dress, suit, shoes, jewelry, keepsakes, and more will help you remember all the little moments from your big day. You’ve spent so much time deciding on your wedding theme and details – they deserve to be remembered in photos!
Wedding photographers typically snap photos of your final hair and makeup touches during this time as well, and the moments you and your soon-to-be spouse slip into your outfits. This is an essential part of the day since you’ll probably be so excited and nervous that you might not take the time to truly appreciate the process of getting ready until you get to reflect on it afterward.
Pro tip: Allot more time for travel if you’re getting ready at a separate location than your ceremony.
2. Pre-Ceremony Portraits: 2.5 Hours
Before the ceremony, you’ll want to take bridal and groom pictures, photos with each side of the wedding party, full wedding party photos, and First Look photos (if you’re doing one). Sometimes, this is also when taking family pictures makes the most sense.
Pro tip: While you’ll need less time here if you aren’t doing First Looks, expect to spend more post-ceremony time taking your wedding party and family pictures. This part of the day may take longer if you have a large wedding party and/or family.
3. Ceremony: 1 Hour
Ceremony coverage includes detail shots of the venue, candids of guests arriving, and the ceremony itself. Plan to have all your pre-ceremony portraits done AT LEAST 30 minutes beforehand so you can hide before guests start showing up.
Pro tip: If your ceremony will involve Catholic Mass, add at least 30 more minutes.
4. Post-Ceremony Portraits: 1 Hour
This is the time to knock out any wedding party or family pictures you couldn’t take before the ceremony. It’s also when you’ll shoot newlywed portraits, which is always sweet and exciting. For me, this is the most exciting part of the day – you just got married and can’t wait to celebrate with your new spouse and all of your guests! Try not to go over an hour so your guests aren’t left waiting around too long.
Pro tip: Add more time here if your reception is at a different location.
5. Reception: 1-4 Hours
How much wedding photography coverage you need for your reception depends on what you want to be documented. For instance, an hour will suffice if you only care about getting photos of your grand entrance and first dance as newlyweds. However, capturing everything from the first dances to the cake-cutting and sendoffs (and all the booty-shaking in between!) might require anywhere from 2-4 hours.
Pro tip: Do a fake sendoff before guests leave to get the best shots possible.
I find that most couples book a wedding photographer for 6-7 hours to capture a little bit of everything or 8-10 hours to capture absolutely everything. Coverage for elopements, micro, and backyard weddings tends to fall within the 3-5 hour range since they typically involve smaller (or no) wedding parties and minimal family/guest photos.
Hopefully, this helps on your wedding-planning journey! I’d love to be considered if you haven’t found a wedding photographer yet. Give me a shout, and let’s talk!
xo,
Jessi
Get more wedding inspiration:
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Jessi is an Alabama Couple, Family, and Wedding Photographer. Based in northwest Georgia, Jessi also serves the Chattanooga, Atlanta, and Gulf Coast areas. She specializes in couple, wedding, maternity, newborn and family photography, and also enjoys commercial and creative portraiture. Available for travel worldwide. Find out more at www.casaraphoto.com and inquire at https://casaraphoto.com/contact.
(c) Jessi Casara Photography
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