How much photography coverage?

I felt 6 hrs wouldnt be enough as I wanted pics of us getting ready and to feel rushed. But if thats not important to you then it should be fine.

We ended up with an all day package because it's not expensive through the photographer we like, but I really just wanted someone from noon or so until 4 or 5pm. (1pm wedding and 3 or 4pm reception)

Getting ready (no first look) through the beginning of the reception. I do not want a bunch of pictures of guests dancing and eating at my reception.

First Dance - yes

Cake cutting - yes

Details of the reception (centerpieces, guest book etc) - yes

Then they can go.

@We'llAlwaysHaveParis, that's another idea I was toying with, too. We're having an outdoor evening ceremony with a bar, so I'm worried the last hour or so of reception pics won't be worth the cost. Plus, that would allow our photographer to come a litter earlier in the afternoon.

$550 is a significant savings so if there's anyway you can do it, I would.

(my first wedding we had an all-day photographer, and back when I cared to look at those pictures in my proof album (didn't order any for the formal album) I just skipped right over the reception section). So, I know from experience what's important to ME and I'd take that $550 and run :-)

I like the way you think. Plus I'm a huge Budgetzilla (as opposed to a Bridezilla, I'm obsessed with staying at or under budget LOL), so it'd be nice to come in under budget for once!

Here's an article that may help you. I wrote it a while back, but it still is true today.

http://www.emindeeimagesblog.com/wedding-day-timelines-and-photography-how-much-is-enough/

It really depends on what you want captured, and whether or not you have a First Look Session. 97% of my brides opt for 8 hours. The other 3% either opt for more (9-11 hours) or it's an elopement with only 2 hours.

Hope this helps.

$550 is not a huge savings in the long run. It's very little. Just spend it and have all of the pictures you want, or you won't be happy and you'll beat yourself up every time you look at your album.

Mine is coming for 3-4 hours. Its a really small wedding so no need for her to hang around all night

Thanks for the article! My mom vetoed the only-6-hours-of-coverage idea. Budgetzilla is defeated - THIS time...

We are doing 8 hours of coverage with 2 photographers 2 locations

My photographer says she reccomends having your photographer from your getting ready through the important parts of the reception. She is going to come at 12 to do getting ready pictures, first look at 2, ceremony at 4, reception at 5 and stay until about 7.

ETA: If we weren't doing a first look, I would have her come at like 3... so it all depends on what you want to do... I don't want a bunch of pictures of people dancing, I am not paying for that, I will get enough of those from friends' cameras.

Wow that is a huge savings if you only go with the 6 hrs and you may not need them as early as 2:00. $550 is a lot of money to me. We are planning on a 5 hrs. and then any other pictures we have will be casual from guests. Have been thinking about disposable cameras but have found some other apps out there that might work. I just got sent a name of a new one called PixWithMe. Its free and the guy who started it is friends with my best friends dad so I may try them too since it doesn't add to my budget.

I don't think 6 hours is going to be enough in your case. You don't want to have to stop in the middle of your reception and write a check to your photographer for overtime!

As for me, I provide unlimited coverage on your day, that way you don't have to worry about not capturing every detail! And, as stated above, I want to capture everything as much as you do!

As a Wedding Photographer in Key West, I would suggest the 8 hours of coverage. You could have enough time for a first look with just 6 hours of coverage, but you and the photographer will be rushing and you won't have any elbow room.

The last wedding I worked I was hired for 10 hours, this left me with almost an hour break between the first look and the ceremony but definitely gave the Bride room to breath and allowed her to take her time getting ready.

You don't want to add more things to worry about on your wedding day, make it as easy on yourself as possible.

I would NEVER have skimped on photography. I would have taken money out of pretty much any other budget item first. Centerpieces, dress, stationery, you name it.

Our photographer showed up very early and stayed very late, and the candids she snapped both early and late are INVALUABLE to us. Totally priceless. Like this one, of my 70-year old momma dancing well after midnight. To me - photography is forever, definitely not something I would cut unless I absolutely had to.

If all you truly want is the traditional/posed photos, maybe you won't miss the extra coverage, but I don't have any friends who could have captured this on the fly!