How long to hire a second photographer?

Our package included the second photographer for up to 5 hours, our main photographer for 8. They should be there for getting ready through our first dance and probably leaving before dinner is served. I like having the second for the getting ready because one will be with me getting pictures of the girls and the second can get some groomsman pictures done and maybe some family shots where we’re not together (not having a first look). Hoping getting some bridal party and family shots done before the ceremony will help speed up the process during cocktail hour. We’re also really excited about first dance, because we have a snow machine and it’ll be nice to have different angles of that. After that, it’ll just be toasts, dancing, cake cutting, and parent dances. These pictures aren’t as important to us and the one photographer will be fine.

I would suggest finding a photographer that INCLUDES the second photographer, and doesn't charge extra per hour for them.

Most that include a 2nd photographer, will have the 2nd one present with them the same amount of time that they're hired for. So if your photo package has the photographer there for 8 hours of coverage, then the 2nd will be there the same amount of time as well. 2nds are primarily to help get extra shots, and different angles of the wedding.

View Quoted Comment We’ve seen some like this! It just seems like a bit of a waste to have them there for the entire time when I really don’t feel the need to have multiple angles for the reception, etc!

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I gotcha! Like Amber mentioned, I like the option of a 2nd so that they can get photos of the groom and his party, while the main photographer gets shots of me and my bridal party. We want to spend as little time as possible taking photos, so having a 2nd will help us a lot!

I would suggest 3-4 hours. It will be nice to have 2 photographers while getting ready (1 for you, 1 for your fiancé), 2 during the ceremony, and 2 for post ceremony/newlywed/cocktail hour photos. After that, I think 1 photographer can handle it.

I hired my photographer and videographer for 10 hours and the assistant photographer and videographer for 6 hours. I think it also depends on how big your wedding is, how many guests are attending, and what you want captured.