wedding coverage: how much do you need?
Picture this: You just got engaged! You're over the moon, beyond excited, and can't wait to spend the rest of your life with your soulmate. Then, suddenly, it hits you… you have an ENTIRE wedding to plan!
Wedding planning can feel a little overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing the right photography package. These questions might instantly fill your head: “How many hours do I actually need? What moments will be captured? And which package is the best fit for my special day?”
Whether you're planning an intimate ceremony in Yosemite National Park, a smaller celebration with your closest family and friends, or a traditional wedding with all the festivities, choosing the right amount of photography coverage can make all the difference.
That's exactly why I've put together this simple guide to my 4, 6, and 8 wedding photography packages! Complete with sample timelines, this guide will help you understand your options, find the perfect amount of coverage, and start envisioning how your wedding day could unfold.
package #1: 4 hours
If you're planning a smaller wedding, an intimate Yosemite ceremony, or a celebration without a full day of events, four hours of photography might be just what you need.
Four hours is a wonderful option for couples who want the most meaningful moments documented without necessarily needing every part of the day photographed.
What can typically be captured in 4 hours?
Your wedding ceremony
Family and wedding party portraits
Romantic couples portraits
A few wedding details
A portion of your reception or celebration
Example 4-Hour Wedding Timeline
2:00 pm: Details and final getting-ready moments
2:30 pm: Ceremony
3:00 pm: Family and wedding party portraits
3:45 pm: Couples portraits
4:30 pm: Reception details and celebration
6:00 pm: Photography coverage ends
My thoughts: Four hours can be ideal for intimate weddings where the ceremony, portraits, and a portion of the celebration are the main priorities.
Keep in mind that a shorter package does require a thoughtfully planned timeline, especially if your ceremony and reception are at different locations.
6 Hours of Wedding Photography: A Little More Room to Tell Your Story
Six hours is a wonderful middle ground option for couples who want more of their wedding day documented but don't necessarily need photography coverage from start to finish.
This package allows more breathing room in your timeline and gives me the opportunity to capture a wider variety of moments throughout the day.
With six hours, we can often include some getting ready moments, the ceremony, portraits, and several of the important reception events.
What can typically be captured in 6 hours?
Getting-ready details and final preparations
Your wedding ceremony
Family and wedding party portraits
Couples portraits
Reception details
Grand entrance and portions of the reception
Select reception traditions, depending on your timeline
Example 6-Hour Wedding Timeline
1:00 pm: Getting-ready details and final preparations
2:00 pm: First look and couples portraits
2:30 pm: Wedding party portraits
3:00 pm: Ceremony
3:30 pm: Family portraits
4:00 pm: Cocktail hour and reception details
5:00 pm: Grand entrance and dinner
6:00 pm: Toasts and special dances
7:00 pm: Photography coverage ends
My thoughts: Six hours can be a great fit for couples who want a balanced collection of images from different parts of their wedding day.
It gives a little more flexibility, especially when coordinating family portraits, travel between locations, or sunset portraits.
However, if you're hoping to capture everything from the beginning of getting ready through an evening of dancing, you may want to consider additional coverage.
8 Hours of Wedding Photography: Telling the Full Story of Your Day
For couples planning a traditional wedding with multiple events throughout the day, eight hours offers a more complete storytelling experience.
From the excitement of getting ready to the emotions of the ceremony and all the little moments in between, this option gives the opportunity to document much more of your wedding day as it naturally unfolds.
Eight hours can be especially beneficial for weddings with larger guest counts, multiple locations, or a full reception with several planned traditions.
What can typically be captured in 8 hours?
Getting-ready moments and wedding details
First look, if planned
Wedding party portraits
Your ceremony
Family portraits
Couples portraits
Reception details
Grand entrance, dinner, and speeches
First dances and additional reception events
Dancing or other evening celebrations, depending on your timeline
Example 8-Hour Wedding Timeline
12:00 pm: Getting ready moments and wedding details
1:00 pm: Final preparations
1:30 pm: First look and couples portraits
2:15 pm: Wedding party portraits
3:00 pm: Ceremony
3:30 pm: Family portraits
4:00 pm: Cocktail hour and reception details
5:00 pm: Grand entrance and dinner
6:00 pm: Toasts and special dances
7:00 pm: Sunset portraits and open dancing
8:00 pm: Photography coverage ends
My thoughts: If documenting the entire story of your wedding day is important to you, eight hours can offer a wonderful amount of flexibility.
Rather than focusing solely on the big events, this also gives more opportunities to capture the candid, in between moments that make your wedding unique.
Of course, even eight hours may not cover every event if your wedding day spans from early morning until late into the evening. That's why building a realistic timeline is so important!
A Special Note for Yosemite Weddings & Elopements
If you're getting married in Yosemite National Park, there are a few additional things worth considering when selecting your photography coverage.
Yosemite is an incredibly beautiful place to say "I do," but its size and the distance between popular photo locations can impact your timeline more than you might expect.
For example, if you're dreaming of exchanging vows at Cathedral Beach, taking romantic portraits in El Capitan Meadow, and visiting Tunnel View for those iconic Yosemite photographs, you'll want to allow enough time to travel between locations.
Sunrise and sunset lighting, seasonal road access, parking, and the number of guests attending your celebration are all important factors to consider.
For a simple ceremony and portraits at one or two nearby locations, shorter coverage may be enough. For couples wanting a more immersive Yosemite experience with multiple portrait locations, a longer package can provide the flexibility needed to enjoy the day without feeling rushed.
I love helping my couples create photography timelines that make sense for their wedding plans while taking advantage of Yosemite's incredible scenery.
Dreaming of a Yosemite proposal? Be sure to check out my blog, Top 3 Dreamy Places to Propose in Yosemite, where I share some of my favorite locations and helpful tips for planning your special moment!
So, Which Wedding Photography Package Should You Choose?
Ultimately, there isn't one perfect package for every couple. The right amount of coverage depends on your priorities, your timeline, and which moments you want to remember most. If you're planning a smaller celebration and primarily want your ceremony and portraits documented, four hours might be the perfect fit. If you'd like to capture additional parts of your day, including getting ready and some reception events, six hours may give you the balance you're looking for. And if you want a more complete wedding gallery that tells the story from the early preparations through the celebration, eight hours may make the most sense. My biggest piece of advice? Choose your photography coverage based on the moments that matter most to you, not simply the size of your wedding. Even a wedding with only 20 guests can benefit from longer coverage if you're planning multiple locations, getting ready photos, or a full reception. Likewise, a larger wedding may not need eight hours if you're keeping the celebration simple and only want certain events photographed. Every wedding is different, and your photography should reflect that.
Let's Create a Wedding Photography Timeline That Fits Your Day!
Still unsure whether 4, 6, or 8 hours is right for you? That's completely okay! As your wedding photographer, I'm happy to walk through your plans, discuss which moments are most important to you, and help you determine how much coverage makes the most sense. Whether you're planning a Yosemite wedding, an intimate celebration in the Central Valley, or a beautiful wedding along California's Central Coast, I'd love to hear what you're envisioning. Your wedding day deserves to be documented in a way that feels authentic to you, with enough time to slow down, soak in the moment, and enjoy every bit of it.
Inquire with Ashley Victoria Photo to learn more about my wedding photography packages and start planning your coverage!
