How many hours of wedding photography do you need?

The short answer

Count from the first moment you want captured to the last. For an early afternoon ceremony, that usually means starting around two and a half hours before the ceremony and finishing after the first dance, which is why our standard coverage is 10.5 hours. A 1pm ceremony with a 10:30am start finishes at 9pm.

If everything happens in one place and your day is shorter, you may need fewer hours. If you are travelling between venues or want the evening party, you may need more.

Work it out in four steps

First, choose the last moment you want covered, such as the first dance, the cake or the sparklers. Then choose the first, such as getting ready with a parent or the bridal suite. Share those priorities with us and we will plan coverage around them.

Second, count back from the ceremony. We typically suggest starting about two and a half hours before it, which gives space for details, getting ready and the atmosphere of the morning. You always have the final say, and the best start time depends on where you are both preparing.

Third, add travel. Coverage runs continuously from the start time you choose, so the journey between preparations, ceremony and reception uses part of those hours.

Fourth, leave room. A plan that only works if everything runs to the minute will feel less relaxed. Allow time between the moments you care about most.

Three example days

One venue, 1pm ceremony: start at 10:30am for preparations, then the ceremony, drinks, a short portrait walk, the wedding breakfast, speeches and the first dance. With 10.5 hours, coverage finishes at 9pm.

Two locations, 2pm ceremony: suppose the church and reception are a 30-minute drive apart, which is an illustration, not a rule. Starting at 11:30am with 10.5 hours finishes at 10pm, and the journeys use some of that time. If the evening party matters to you, check the finish time before you book.

Winter wedding: check sunset for your date and venue before fixing portraits, because useful daylight may fall earlier in the schedule. You may want a start that leaves a comfortable gap before the ceremony, and an indoor option for group photographs.

When more hours are worth it

More hours make sense if you are getting ready in separate places, travelling between venues, expecting a long evening or simply do not want to watch the clock. Our Luxury packages provide 11.5 hours and Platinum packages provide 13 hours for photography, videography and the photo and video team alike.

Extra hours can also be added individually. Each extra hour of photo and video coverage is £350 up to 13 hours (then £220 an hour), or £190 an hour for photography or videography on its own. Luxury and Platinum add more than hours, such as albums, more sneak peeks and, on Platinum, a second photographer or videographer, so compare what is included, not only the length of the day.

When fewer hours might do

A shorter day reduces the price, so it is worth asking whether you need every hour. A smaller wedding, or one with preparations, ceremony and reception in the same building, may fit comfortably in less time.

Bring your draft schedule to the planning call and we will talk through where the hours really matter. The calculator on each package page lets you choose your own start and finish times and shows the price straight away.

Questions couples ask