How Many Hours of Wedding Photography Do You Really Need?
As a San Diego wedding photographer specializing in editorial wedding photography, one of the most common questions I hear from couples is: How many hours of coverage do we really need?
While the end time of photography coverage is often clear, deciding when to start can be more challenging. If you’re planning your wedding in Southern California, where there’s no shortage of stunning venues and events, understanding your timeline is key to capturing every special moment.
Let’s explore how to plan the perfect photography schedule with insights tailored to couples looking for a SoCal wedding photographer.
Plan Based on Your Wedding Day Events.
The number of photography hours you need depends on the moments you want to capture, from the preparations in the morning to your grand exit at the reception. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Morning Preparations: Bride & Groom Getting Ready
Morning preparations set the tone for the day. Whether you’re having an intimate ceremony in a vineyard or a glamorous event at one of Southern California’s luxury venues, these moments are essential for a complete gallery.
• Groom Prep: Details like cufflinks, ties, boutonnières, and group shots with the groom’s party create a narrative. These moments take about 1 hour to photograph. Allow the photographer to start with the groom prep while the bride and bridesmaids are putting the finishing touches on makeup and hair.
• Bride Prep: For the bride, it’s important to capture the details of the dress, shoes, jewelry, bouquet, and other significant accessories. Then, we focus on the final touches of the bride preparation, like putting on the dress and veil, often with the help of her mother, grandmother, or bridesmaids. This process is slightly longer, taking approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
2. Emotional Pre-Ceremony Moments
Pre-ceremony moments are a hallmark of editorial wedding photography. There are often additional events that couples choose to include, such as:
• First Look (Bride and Groom): This intimate moment can be emotional and stunning, and it typically requires about 30 minutes.
• First Look with Father of the Bride: A deeply personal and touching moment, also taking 30 minutes.
• Bride’s Reveal to Bridesmaids: These genuine, joy-filled moments often lead to incredible candid shots and require about 30 minutes as well.
If you’re working with an experienced Southern California wedding photographer, they’ll help plan your bridal party portraits before or after the ceremony, depending on your schedule.
But if you’ve planned a First Look with your groom, this is also a great opportunity to photograph your Bridal Party before the ceremony. Group shots with your wedding party can take anywhere from 40 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the size of your party. This time allows for a mix of posed and candid photos, as well as individual portraits with each bridesmaid or groomsman.
3. The Ceremony and Family Portraits
• Ceremony: Most ceremonies last between 30 minutes and 1 hour, with time for capturing the atmosphere, candid moments, and your vows.
• Family Portraits: Post-ceremony, formal family portraits usually take 30-40 minutes, depending on the number of family members and groupings you’d like to include.
4. Couple Portraits During Cocktail Hour
As your guests enjoy cocktails, this is the perfect time to work with your editorial wedding photographer to capture romantic and creative couple portraits. This allows us to capture intimate moments between the two of you in a more relaxed setting. These photos typically take 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your venue and how much variety you’d like in your shots.
5. Reception and Key Moments
Receptions are the highlight of the evening and often follow a structured timeline:
• Grand entrance
• Speeches/toasts
• First dance
• Parent dances (Mother-Son, Father-Daughter)
• Cake cutting
• Bouquet/garter toss (if applicable)
• Party dancing
• Exit shots (sparklers, confetti, etc.)
If you want coverage until your exit, make sure your Cali wedding photographer is scheduled accordingly.
In Summary: How Many Hours Do You Really Need?
A typical Southern California wedding requires 8-10 hours of coverage, depending on the events of your day. If you’re unsure about your timeline, your photographer (and possibly a wedding coordinator) can help customize a schedule that ensures no moment is missed.
Don’t Forget to Factor in Travel Time!
It’s also important to account for the time it takes your photographer to move between locations. If all your events are happening at the same venue—great! That’s the most efficient way to structure your day.
However, if your wedding day involves multiple locations, be sure to include travel time in your schedule. Discuss this with your photographer in advance so there are no surprises and no missed moments.
Why Editorial Wedding Photography?
As an editorial wedding photographer based in San Diego, my goal is to create timeless, magazine-worthy images that feel both elegant and authentic. Whether you’re planning a beachside wedding in Malibu, a chic celebration in downtown Los Angeles, or a vineyard ceremony in Temecula, my approach is tailored to reflect the beauty and uniqueness of your day.
For more tips on crafting the perfect timeline, check out my article: Essential Wedding Day Tips from a Wedding Photographer.
If you’re searching for a San Diego wedding photographer who can capture every meaningful detail with creativity and care, I’d love to be part of your journey. Let’s create stunning memories that you’ll cherish forever.
You can get in touch with me through my contact form.