Help!! How long do I need a photographer for my wedding day?!


First, take a deep breath. Whether you've already created a tentative timeline or you haven't even thought about it yet, I'm here to help! There are a lot of things to consider when planning your wedding day and no two days are the same. All of your vendors will guide you in this process, honoring your biggest wishes for the day.


One of the first questions couples ask me, as their photographer, is "How long should you be at my wedding? How many hours should I sign a contract for so we can capture all the moments?"


There are a few things to consider first when considering how long to book a photographer:

  1. Location: Your timeline will be dependent on travel time from one space to another. If your entire event from getting ready to dancing is all in one location, that looks very different than if you're getting ready at an Air BNB, traveling to a church, then traveling to a reception location.
  2. Will we do a FIRST LOOK? If you are going to do a FIRST LOOK, timelines can be a little more flexible post ceremony, but we will need a bit more time before the ceremony to capture as many portraits as possible.
  3. How important are GETTING READY photos? Documenting the moments before the ceremony when you're getting ready with friends and family is very important for some couples, but not for others. If it is important to you, we usually plan approximately an hour for this portion of the day.
  4. How important is the DANCE PARTY? Every wedding group is different. Some people know their group will be the life of the party and they want coverage for the entire dancing time. Others are confident that just a short time is all they need for capturing the beginning of the party.


  1. Location: Your timeline will be dependent on travel time from one space to another. If your entire event from getting ready to dancing is all in one location, that looks very different than if you're getting ready at an Air BNB, traveling to a church, then traveling to a reception location.
  2. Will we do a FIRST LOOK? If you are going to do a FIRST LOOK, timelines can be a little more flexible post ceremony, but we will need a bit more time before the ceremony to capture as many portraits as possible.
  3. How important are GETTING READY photos? Documenting the moments before the ceremony when you're getting ready with friends and family is very important for some couples, but not for others. If it is important to you, we usually plan approximately an hour for this portion of the day.
  4. How important is the DANCE PARTY? Every wedding group is different. Some people know their group will be the life of the party and they want coverage for the entire dancing time. Others are confident that just a short time is all they need for capturing the beginning of the party.
  5. How many PHOTOGRAPHERS? With TWO photographers, timelines can often be condensed simply because we can be in two places at one time! (Click HERE to read about the benefits of ONE vs. TWO photographers on your wedding day)

Here are a few sample timelines for you to look through:


*These timelines assume there is NO First Look*

All of these timelines are just EXAMPLES and all can be flexed and worked around ceremony start times and bride/groom priorities. 

6 hour example timeline

TWO photographers: $2,600

ONE photographer: $2,200

This timeline would be best with two photographers. There is limited coverage for getting ready photos or dancing photos and focuses on the middle of the day.


2pm // Photographer Start

  • Bride in dress by 2:30
  • Bridal Portraits
  • Groom Portraits
  • Venue and Detail portraits

4pm // Ceremony

4:30pm // Family Formal Portraits

5-6pm // Wedding Party & Bride and Groom Portraits

6pm // Introductions

6:30pm // Dinner

7:30pm // First dances

7:45pm // Dancing starts

8pm // Photographer end time

7 hour example timeline 

TWO photographers: $2,800

ONE photographer: $2,300

This timeline is possible with one or two photographers. It does not provide a ton of time for wiggle room accounting for elements going longer than anticipated, but there is still some flexibility.



1pm // Photographer start time

  • Detail photos (dress, flowers, rings, ect) getting ready, venue photos
  • Bridal Portraits (individual and with bridesmaids)
  • Groom Portraits (individual and with groomsmen) 

3pm // Ceremony

3:30pm // Family Formal Portraits

4-5pm // Wedding Party & Bride and Groom Portraits

5pm // Introductions & Toasts

5:30pm // Dinner

6pm // <<During Dinner Bride & Groom golden hour portraits>>

6:30pm // First Dance, Special parent dances

7pm // Dancing

8pm // Photographer End time

8 hour example timeline

TWO photographers: $3,000

ONE photographer: $2,500

This timeline is doable with one or two photographers

There is more flexibility and time to relax and enjoy throughout your day while still covering all parts of your day.


1pm // Photographer start

  • Bride in dress at 2pm
  • Details, bridal portraits, groom portraits

2:00pm // Separate Photos

  • Bridal portraits
  • Groom Portraits

3pm // First Touch & Private Vows

3:30pm // break before ceremony

4pm // Ceremony

4:30pm // Family Formal Portraits

5-6pm // Wedding Party & Bride and Groom Portraits

6pm // Introductions & Toasts

6:30pm // Dinner

7:30pm // First Dances

8pm // Dancing begins

9pm // Photographer End Time



Still unsure?


Make sure to consider which parts of your day are most important! What will make your day unique to YOU?? 

  • Do you want to do a First Touch and read vows privately before the ceremony? Do a First Look with parents? 


When you book a wedding with me, if you choose to book for a 8 hour timeline because you think that's enough for your day and then decide to ADD more time, we can absolutely do that after signing your initial contract.


As always, if you have any questions, please let me know! I can help you customize any of these timelines and/or create a custom package that works for you!


(For reference, the photos in this post are from Chloe + Cory's wedding in the Fall of 2023. Their beautiful wedding at Lincoln Hill Farms on Canandaigua Lake in the always stunning Finger Lakes area in Western NY, had a wedding with TWO photographers for EIGHT hours of photo coverage with NO FIRST LOOK.)