When you’re considering your wedding photographer, the choices can seem so overwhelming. I get it, friend! But one of the first things you’ll need to consider is how many hours of wedding photography coverage do you need. The amount of money you’re investing in your photography coverage will also determine how many hours you receive. And here’s where I’ll break down the amount of coverage of photography and what it may cover! Being a Nashville and destination wedding photographer, I get asked all the time!

And here’s the thing…every photographer you find will likely have different collections and varying hours of coverage. Everyone approaches the wedding day a little differently. Some, like me, may need extra time for styling details, while others use that time for extra reception coverage. So, this is a general overview of what you could expect should you book Harp & Olive Photography.

HOW MANY HOURS OF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY COVERAGE DO YOU REALLY NEED?

Let’s break it down..

4 HOURS

A 4 hour wedding coverage would be similar to a small, intimate wedding or elopement. You likely are having a handful of people at your ceremony and maybe a small reception. Likely you won’t have a bridal party.  Four hours of wedding coverage will be enough for some photos of:

• Bride getting into her gown
• Ceremony
• Couples portraits/family portraits post ceremony
  

6 HOURS

Six hours of wedding day coverage would be enough, again, for a small wedding. This wouldn’t likely cover any of the getting ready portion of the day, and your photographer may be able to get a few detail photos. Coverage would begin as the bride gets dressed in her gown, and would cover bridal party portraits. With 6 hours of coverage you will likely have enough coverage for:

• Bride getting into gown
• Ceremony
• Couples portraits
• Some bridal party portraits
• Family portraits post ceremony
• Reception entrance/first dance

8 HOURS

This is probably the most popular coverage for wedding days for most couples and photographers. It offers most coverage for the wedding day, from some getting ready photos to possibly a good portion of the reception. It may cover all of the reception depending on the length, but typically my couples do a faux exit as my time ends before their reception is over. Eight hours of wedding photography coverage will be enough for:

• Details
• Getting ready
• Bride getting into gown
• Ceremony
• Couples portraits
• Bridal party portraits
• Family portraits post ceremony
• Reception entrance, main reception events
• Exit or faux exit (depending on reception length)

10+ HOURS

Then, lastly we have ten (or more!) hours of wedding day coverage! If you’re booking your wedding photographer for 10+ hours, this is likely considered “all day coverage”. While 10 or more hours may sound like a lot, it will allow your day to feel less rushed. You’ll have breathing room in between the madness of a wedding day. That means, you’ll get to ENJOY it without feeling rushed! Because, I’ll be honest, friend…wedding days fly by. You spend so much time planning, don’t you want to enjoy it? Soak it in? Have time to BREATHE?
If you’re saying YES…then I recommend 10+ hours of wedding day coverage. With that, you’ll get:

• No rushed getting ready photos
• Detail photos worthy of magazines
• Photos with your bride tribe beforehand as you sip champagne
• Bride getting into gown
• Ceremony
• Couples portraits
• Bridal party portraits
• Family portraits post ceremony
• Full reception coverage..from grand entrance to grand exit!

Harp & Olive Photography is a luxury wedding photographer based in Nashville, TN and a Nashville destination wedding photographer.
Looking for MORE wedding planning tips? Check out these wedding photography timeline samples here!
If you’re still searching for your Nashville wedding photographer, let’s chat!