The Guide
how long to have Your wedding photographer
Congratulations on your engagement! Your wedding day is one of the most important and memorable days of your life. You want to capture every moment and detail of your celebration with beautiful photos that you can cherish for years to come. But how long should you hire a wedding photographer for? How can you make sure that you get the best value and quality for your money?
In this article, we will answer these questions and provide you with some tips and a sample runsheet that you can use as a guide for planning your wedding timeline to get the absolute best photos.
How Long Should You Hire a Wedding Photographer For?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as it depends on your budget, preferences, and which moments are most important to you. However, a general rule of thumb is that you should hire a wedding photographer for at least 5 to 10 hours, which covers the essential parts of your wedding day, such as:
Bride and Groom preparation
The bride and groom prep is not only a time to get ready for the wedding, but also a time to relax, enjoy, and bond with your closest friends and family.
This preparation time can also reflect your personality, style, and theme of their wedding. For example, some couples may choose to have a casual and fun preparation, while others may opt for a more formal and elegant preparation. Some couples may also incorporate some traditions or rituals into their preparation, such as exchanging gifts, writing letters, or having a first look. This time also allows us to document all the details (dress, shoes, jewellry, etc.) so that you can remember them forever.
In general, we suggest that you budget 45-60 minutes for the groom’s getting ready. and 90 minutes for the bride to capture all the details.
The ceremony
The ceremony is the highlight of your wedding day. You want to capture every moment of your vows, your rings, your kiss, and your exit. But how long do you need a wedding photographer for the ceremony? It depends on how long and what kind of ceremony you have, how many and where your guests are, and what shots and angles you want. However, a good rule is to have at least one hour for your ceremony photography. This will let your wedding photographer get there early, find the best spots, set up their gear, and take some shots of the venue and the guests before the ceremony. It will also give them enough time to cover the whole ceremony, from the entrance to the exit, without missing anything.
Over all, we suggest 60 minutes for this part of the day.
Group and Family Portraits
Group and family shots are a great way to capture the love and joy of your wedding day with your loved ones. But how much time do you need to take these photos? It depends on how many groups and people you want to include, and how organized and cooperative they are. A general rule is to allow at least three minutes for each group, plus some extra time for any unexpected issues, such as missing or uncooperative family members. For example, if you have 10 groups of 6 people or less, you should plan for at least 30 minutes for your group and family shots. Of course, you can always adjust this time according to your preferences and needs, and consult with your photographer beforehand.
Over all, we suggest 30-45 minutes for this part of the day.
The bridal party portraits
Bridal party and couple portraits are a wonderful way to capture the beauty and romance of your wedding day with your closest friends. But how much time do you need for these photos? It depends on how many people are in your bridal party, and what kind of poses and how long we need to travel to get to the locations you want. A general rule is to allow at least 45-60 minutes for your bridal party and couple portraits. Of course, we can always adjust this time according to what you want.
We suggest 60-90 minutes for this part of the day.
The Reception
The wedding reception is the time to let loose and celebrate your marriage with your guests. You want to capture the fun and excitement of your party, from the entrance to the dance floor. But how long do you need a wedding photographer for the reception? It depends on how long and what kind of reception you have, and what moments and details you want to document. A general rule is to have at least two hours for your reception photography. This will allow us to cover the main events, such as the entrance, the first dance, the speeches, the cake cutting, and the bouquet and garter toss. It will also give us some time to take candid shots of you and your guests enjoying the food, the music, and the atmosphere.
We suggest 2-5 hours for this part of the day.
kind words
Isaac and Ebony say…
You’ve both made our wedding unforgettable!!!
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