So, the question of the hour is… How many hours of wedding photography do you really need?

A wedding is a celebration of love, unity, and the beginning of a beautiful journey for couples. It is a day filled with joy, emotion, and countless cherished moments but it is also a time filled with decisions to make and one of those crucial decisions is how much wedding photography coverage they need. While some couples may truly  think that six hours of photography is sufficient, many are hoping to shave some time off to keep the budget a little lower. While I totally understand budget constraints, there are pretty compelling reasons why investing in what I consider full coverage (8+ hours) is invaluable.

This is probably the most frequent request I get when brides inquire about wedding photography and it is very rare that I offer 6 hour packages because in my years as a professional wedding photographer, I have learned that it is very seldom possible to truly serve my clients in the way I think they deserve to be taken care of in such a short amount of time. Usually once we discuss their actual needs and the things that are important for them to be covered, we discover that they do, in fact, need 8-10 hours. In this blog post, we will explore why in my professional opinion, you truly do need more than six hours of wedding photography coverage to ensure that every precious moment is captured forever.

Comprehensive Storytelling

Your wedding day is a culmination of months, if not years, of planning and preparation. From the anticipation-filled moments of getting ready to the emotional exchanges of vows, each segment contributes to the narrative of your love story. By having those extra hours of photography coverage, you provide your photographer with ample time to document the entire day cohesively without being rushed or having to cut some things out. It enables them to capture the full range of emotions, from the tiniest of beautiful details, to the nervous excitement in the morning, to the unrestrained celebration on the dance floor. The result is a comprehensive visual story that you can relive and share with future generations.

Often when a bride asks about doing less hours, for example 6 hours of coverage, we have to choose what things to not cover at all…typically we end up cutting out some portraits, details, and a chunk of reception time to squeeze in a 6 hour day. Sometimes that works, but for how I like to photograph, I do not feel like it tells the whole beautiful story of your day and my ultimate goal is to serve you to the best of my capabilities.

Unforeseen Happenings

Weddings are unpredictable, and sometimes unexpected events unfold that become priceless memories. It could be an impromptu dance performance by a close friend, a surprise visit from a loved one, or a spontaneous moment of joy shared between you and your partner. These magical moments often occur outside the planned schedule and may take place during the later hours of the reception. With extended coverage, your photographer will be present to capture these unplanned instances, ensuring that no extraordinary memory is left unrecorded. We’ve even had the instance before that surprise fireworks were done for the bride and groom. Had they not elected for more coverage, those epic photos would’ve been missed!

Expansive Venue and Scenic Opportunities

Many couples invest significant time and effort in selecting breathtaking wedding venues. Whether it’s a picturesque garden, a stunning beach, or a historic mansion, these locations provide a backdrop that enhances the beauty of your celebration. With an adequate amount of photography coverage, you can make the most of your chosen venue, capturing its essence during different lighting conditions. The golden hour, for instance, offers captivating natural light that adds a touch of magic to your photographs. By extending coverage, you allow your photographer to capture the venue’s splendor throughout the day, delivering a diverse and captivating collection of images. You also allow the flexibility to use more of the grounds at the venue instead of being limited to only a couple minutes in one spot. This diversity of photos makes such a captivating album in the end!

Candid and Natural Moments

Some of the most cherished photographs are those that capture unscripted, spontaneous moments of genuine emotion. These candid shots often arise when people forget they are being photographed and express their love, laughter, and tears without inhibition. With more hours of photography coverage, you provide your photographer with more opportunities to capture these authentic moments. Whether it’s a heartfelt hug between family members, a stolen glance between the couple, or a laughter-filled conversation with friends, these precious instances contribute to the depth and intimacy of your wedding album. Unfortunately, in a shorter day, like a 6 hour day, I am limited to only the basics, so I don’t get to capture a lot of those special moment as they occur because I’m on a tight timeline with no time to spare.

Peace of Mind

On your wedding day, time seems to fly by at warp speed,  and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the flurry of activities. By ensuring adequate hours of photography coverage, you create a buffer that allows you to relax and enjoy each moment without constantly checking the clock. You don’t have to rush from thing to thing and worry if you’re off schedule or about to have to sacrifice photos of some other part of the day. Knowing that your photographer will be present for an extended period instills a sense of peace and reassurance, enabling you to immerse yourself fully in the experience. With fewer time constraints, you can savor each interaction, soak in the ambiance, and truly be present on this momentous day. That peace of mind is worth every ounce of the time spent.

In my Experience…

My job is to capture every fleeting moment of your day and preserve it in all of its beauty for years to come. Trust me, I know how stressful this all is and how tempting it is to shave a few hours off to save some money, but I firmly believe that I serve my brides best by capturing their day in its entirety. Let’s be honest, there will be so many moments you won’t remember years from now, but by allowing your photographer more time, you are guaranteed a more fulfilling, stress-free experience. Even just bumping your package up by 2 hours, you unlock the potential for a more comprehensive visual story, unexpected memories, stunning venue shots, candid emotions, all the amazing little details, and a greater sense of peace of mind in knowing that YOUR love story is being told in the most perfect way.

Let’s Be Honest.

Every photographer is different in how they approach a wedding, that’s one thing that makes us so unique! I love starting with the details then following you through the day until you say your final goodbyes for the night. I strive to tell each story in a complete, captivating way, so that you will be able to look back one day and remember every single detail. That’s why I wholeheartedly believe in full wedding day coverage.

In conclusion, there are absolutely some couples that truly don’t need a full day wedding photography experience. However, more often than not, in order to capture all the things that matter to you and capture them well, you will need more time than just a few hours. Not sure how exactly much coverage you need? That’s ok! As your Mississippi Wedding Photographer, I happen to be an expert in that department and can steer you in the right direction. Inquire about your date, and let’s go from there!