How Much Wedding Coverage Do You Need?
When it comes time to hire a photographer for your wedding, you’ve probably noticed that most photographers create packages based on the amount of time they will spend with you or a combination of product and time. This is because wedding days can vary greatly in terms of the events on the day that need to be photographed. My best advice is to think of your wedding day not in actual time, but in moments.
Choosing the amount of time your photographer needs to capture your day is really an equation of moments or events of the day that matter most to you + travel between locations + ceremony time + style of reception, and last but not least: time of day. This formula is where we start, and from there, we can build you the perfect timeline for the photos you want to be captured.
Part of my job as a photographer is to help you understand the flow of the day and what is important to be photographed. For some clients, it’s the various faith-based or generational traditions of their ceremony which matter the most. If you’re having a Tea Ceremony in the morning and then moving to a formal union, followed by dancing the night away, then you’ll probably want full day coverage (anywhere from 8-10 hours) to capture all those memories. If you’re having a short ceremony followed by portraits and then dinner, then a shorter package of 6 hours can work.
One key element you want to consider when discussing time is whether you and your partner want to see each other before the wedding. If you are open to seeing each other before the wedding, we call that a First Look, and it can be a really beautiful memory for you and your partner. We choose a great spot, let the two of you meet before the ceremony and let the emotions flow.
Some clients choose this option of a First Look because of timing; they’d rather start on their couples photos before their ceremony so they can get right to the party afterward and start rocking the night away. Others choose this option because seeing your partner for the first time with lots of eyes on you can be a little intimidating, and seeing each other in a more private setting helps quiet those nerves. It can be a nice way to spend some time together before you start greeting your guests, as well.
Of course, a First Look isn’t right for everyone. If you’re wavering on it, let’s talk through your timeline and your doubts about it! I’m happy to share photos and my experiences with First Looks to help you decide if it’s right for you.
The amount of family and formal photos will also dictate how much photography time is needed on your day, as well as if we are traveling to another location to do them. When possible, I urge clients to do the family photos as close to the ceremony site as possible and do the wedding couple and wedding party photos elsewhere if you want different looks to your photos. We’ll talk through locations, timing, travel, every piece of the puzzle that we have to move around to make those photos happen!
If you have your heart set on sunset photos, we need to consider all aspects of your day. What time is dinner? Are you okay with leaving your guests during cocktail hour to take photos for 20-30 minutes? There’s no doubt I LOVE sunset photos, but I also want to make sure that you are comfortable with the time it may take to make them away from your wedding.
How about exit photos? Sparkler exit photos are popular, but they generally happen at the very end of the night, so if these are important to you, you may have to extend coverage. You can also have a staged sparkler exit near the time of the photography coverage and then go back to your party! That way you can still get those exit photos without having to over time.
Talk to your partner about what moments are super important to you to be photographed! From there, you can start to make decisions on how long your coverage needs to be on your wedding day. Make sure you talk about all the events such as the first dance, cake cutting, and any other specialty dances you are doing. When in doubt, more time is always better than less so you don’t feel like you are in a time crunch on your wedding day (and inevitably, time always runs faster and later at a wedding!).
xoxo misterdebs
Ready to get started on your journey of finding the right wedding photographer for you? Send me a message here!
