Most full weddings need 8 to 10 hours of photography to cover everything from getting ready to the first dance. Smaller weddings usually need 4 to 6 hours, and elopements 2 to 3. The right number for you comes from your timeline, not a package menu — here's how to work out how many hours of wedding photography your day actually needs.
Quick Guide: Hours by Type of Wedding
| Type of wedding | Suggested coverage | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Elopement or registry | 2–3 hours | Ceremony, signing, portraits |
| Small or micro wedding | 4–6 hours | Ceremony, family, portraits, start of reception |
| Full wedding | 8–10 hours | Getting ready through first dance and party |
| Multi-location or cultural wedding | 10+ hours or two days | Multiple ceremonies, venues or events |
Start With Your Timeline, Not the Package
Write down when each part of the day starts, from hair and makeup to the last dance. Then mark the moments you'd be upset to miss. The hours you need are simply the span between the first and last of those moments, plus travel time between locations.
What Each Part of the Day Takes
Getting ready (1–1.5 hours)
Details, final touches, the dress or suit going on, and the quiet moments with family. Many couples say these are among their favourite images.
Ceremony (30–60 minutes)
Arrivals, the walk down the aisle, vows, rings, the kiss and the signing.
Family photos (20–30 minutes)
Ten to twelve groupings with a clear list and someone calling names.
Couple portraits (30–45 minutes)
Plus a short golden-hour sneak-out later if the timing works.
Reception (2–4 hours)
Entrances, speeches, cake, first dance and the first part of the party, when the dance floor is at its liveliest.
A Sample 9-Hour Wedding Day
| Time | Moment |
|---|---|
| 12:30 pm | Photographer arrives: details and getting ready |
| 2:30 pm | First look (optional) |
| 3:30 pm | Ceremony |
| 4:15 pm | Family photos |
| 4:45 pm | Couple portraits |
| 6:00 pm | Reception entrance and dinner |
| 7:30 pm | Speeches and cake |
| 8:30 pm | First dance and golden-hour sneak-out |
| 9:30 pm | Coverage ends after the dance floor opens |
Where Couples Regret Cutting Hours
• Getting ready. Starting coverage at the ceremony means no details, no nerves, no parent seeing you dressed for the first time.
• The first dance and party. Leaving before the dance floor fills misses some of the most joyful, energetic images of the day.
• Travel time. Two locations 40 minutes apart quietly eat into a short package.
If budget is tight, trim the hours at the edges of the day — a later start or an earlier finish — rather than reducing the quality of the team.
Does Video Need the Same Hours?
Ideally, yes. Your film tells the story of the whole day, and the speeches and first dance are where much of its sound and emotion come from. When photographer and videographer are one team on the same timeline, you get matching coverage without paying for two separate schedules.
How Our Full Day Package Works
Our Full Day Photo + Video Package covers your day with a two-person team. It also includes an engagement shoot, drone footage, film photos, a premium 30-page album and a fully edited wedding film. We build the timeline with you in our pre-wedding planning conversation, so the hours land where they matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
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For a smaller wedding, often yes. For a full wedding with getting ready, ceremony, portraits and reception, six hours usually means skipping either the start or the end of the day.
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Full-day coverage typically runs 8 to 10 hours, usually ending once the first dance is done and the party has started.
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Rarely necessary. After the first hour of dancing, the images start to repeat. A planned exit after the party gets going is usually the best value.
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Some photographers allow it if they're available. Agree on the hourly rate in your contract beforehand so there are no surprises.
Let's Build Your Timeline Together
We're Darlan and Christian, a Melbourne and Adelaide photo and video duo. Tell us about your day and we'll help you work out exactly how much coverage you need — no more, no less. Get in touch with Honey Weddings to start planning.
Working out the budget too? Read How Much Should I Budget for Wedding Photography?.
