How Much Wedding Photography Coverage Do You Really Need?

Chooing the Right Photography Coverage for Your Wedding

Choosing the right amount of photography coverage feels a little like planning the soundtrack to your big day: you want just the right length, the perfect moments captured, and maybe a supporting act or two. But if you’ve never done this before (and most couples haven’t!), it can feel impossible to know how many hours you’ll actually need. Will we miss anything if we don’t add extra? What if the timeline shifts? What if…?

The good news: you don’t need all the answers today. My job is to help you find that sweet spot where your coverage matches your day—without overspending or overcomplicating.

Key Details to Nail Down First

Once you’ve reserved your date, these three questions set the foundation for your photography timeline:

1. Ceremony Time
The clock truly starts here. Early afternoon ceremonies usually mean more daylight for portraits, while golden-hour ceremonies are magical but often need extra coverage before the vows.

2. First Look (or No Look?)

• Yes, first look: Coverage starts earlier for your private reveal and portraits.

• No first look: Portraits and bridal-party shots all happen between ceremony and reception—often requiring extra time.

3. Guest Count & Bridal-Party Size

• Under 150 guests? One photographer can comfortably cover everything.

• 150–250 guests or larger wedding parties? A second shooter helps capture both wide moments and smaller details.

• 250+ guests or a sprawling venue? A second photographer is a must to cover simultaneous action.

Pulling It All Together

Once you know the basics—ceremony time, first look or no look, and guest count—you can start sketching out how much photography coverage your day will really need. Think of it like building blocks: add getting-ready photos, portraits, or reception highlights depending on what matters most to you.

If you want to take the guesswork out, my free guide walks you through the whole day, piece by piece. Each section has options from minimal to go-all-out so you can circle what feels right for your wedding. At the end, you’ll total your hours, and even see a sample timeline with tips for customizing your own.

It’s an easy way to turn “no idea how many hours we’ll need” into a clear plan that fits your celebration.