One of the most significant components of a wedding day is the photographs. Photographs capture memories that will be treasured for a lifetime, so selecting the correct photographer and coverage is critical. One of the most important considerations to make when organizing your wedding photography is whether 8 hours of coverage is sufficient.


In this article, we'll look at why 8 hours of wedding photography coverage isn't always enough, what to think about when deciding how much coverage you need, and how to make the most of your photographic coverage time.



Reasons why less than 8 hours of coverage may be insufficient.


Time Required for Preparation


Wedding photography frequently begins before the wedding. Many photographers like photographing the bride and groom as they prepare for their wedding, which can take many hours. As professional hair stylist and Makeup Artist work their way through the bridal party, consider budgeting enough time for these professions to take adequate time. Photos of things like the wedding gown, shoes, jewelry, and groom's outfit, as well as genuine moments between the bride and groom and their friends and family. Throw in a first look with the bride and her (Groom, Dad, mom, Bridesmaids) and the time really gets pushed back.


Time for the Ceremony


The wedding ceremony normally lasts 30 minutes to an hour, but this is insufficient time to capture every moment and detail. Photographers may frequently attend early to photograph the arrival of guests and the setting of the venue.


Portrait Shoot


Most couples want to take photographs with their family and bridal party after the wedding. Depending on the size of the wedding party and the quantity of photographs needed, this might take anywhere from 15 minutes to 45 minutes.


TIMING OF GOLDEN HOUR


Another consideration is the time of sunset. If you're having an outdoor wedding, the time of sunset may have a big impact on the quality of your photos. Photographers like to shoot the couple's photographs during golden hour, which occurs an hour before sunset. If your wedding prep begins early in the day and you want golden hour photographs, 8 hours of coverage may be insufficient.


Time of Reception


The reception is the longest portion of the wedding day, so the photographer must catch all of the significant events, such as the first dance, cake cutting, and speeches. Depending on how long the reception is, 8 hours may not be enough time to record entrances, speeches, food, dancing, cake cutting, and exits. There are so many activities to document that allowing a photographer enough time is essential.




Groom tying his dress shoes for his wedding.
Bride and Groom at the reception dancing to a band.

Points to consider before deciding on your photographic coverage


WEDDING TIMETABLE


When selecting the length of your photographic coverage, the length of your wedding day and the timetable of activities should come first. If your wedding day is long and full of festivities, you may require more than 8 hours of coverage.


PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE


Another factor to consider is the type of photography you want for your wedding. 8 hours of coverage may be plenty if you like a more photojournalistic style in which the photographer catches candid moments. If you prefer a more traditional approach with posed photographs, complex lighting, and multiple locations, you may require additional time to guarantee that all photos are taken.


NUMBER OF VISITORS


The number of guests you invite to your wedding might also have an influence on the duration of your photographic coverage. A larger wedding with more guests will usually need more time to document all of the essential moments and details.


LOCATION OF THE VENUE


Another key factor to consider is the location of the venue. If your wedding and reception are in different places, you may need more time to travel between the two as well as more coverage to capture all of the critical moments.


BUDGET


Finally, while deciding the length of your photography coverage, keep your budget in mind. While 8 hours of coverage may be sufficient for some weddings, You may find yourself needing additional coverage for a higher budget wedding with larger investments in décor, details, and vendors.