how long does the photographer stay?

Dear Amanda,

This is a tricky question, because it depends on your budget.

I have been photographing weddings for over 14 years, and what I try to do is go over the wedding day schedule with the couple before they book a package with me. By giving them the coverage they need I can offer better rates while still making sure they will get all the pictures they want. 1-2 hours before the ceremony should be plenty of time.

Most weddings fit into the 6-8 hour range. Don't be afraid to ask your photographer for a custom package.

That is what I offer my clients,

Happy Planning!

Lori DeSantis (Boston Wedding photographer)

Well, I did a 6 hour package - more before the ceremony (and our portraits because I know I'll be nervous and my hubby is the only one that can calm me! AND, with all the people there, we'll never see eachother the rest of the day!). I'm a big fan of the photographer leaving earlier b/c I just don't need the "after too many glasses of wine dancing pics" And who cares about us leaving? We're leaving - getting in a car - out! But that's me...

So, see? as many varieties as brides and grooms. Decide what is important for you for photos and go from there.

I have my photographers (two of them within the same company) for 8 hours. I have been thinking about extending it to 9 hours if I need to but I think we will be ok with the 8.

There are some wedding photographers who stay from the start to end. 7-8 hours covers all activities. I don't look at hours I stay until there isn't any more events. I have 3 different packages depending if you want albums or not you could get away with all the photos and hours copyright release form for under $1000.

www.sarahchristinephotography.com

However long you choose to have your photographer, make sure he/she gets all of the "important events" on camera. Of course that's the ceremony, first dance, etc. , but you will also want pictures of the Garter and Bouquet toss, cake cutting, etc. Make sure you coordinate the timeline so that all of those events will be photographed.

A lot of our brides will save money by making sure we get the events in at the beginning of the reception: first dance, daddy/daughter dance, cake cutting, toasts, garter and bouquet toss. That way , the photographer can leave right after and you don't have to pay them to stay during the whole reception. After all of the events are out of hte way, the rest of the night is left for having fun and dancing it up without any interruptions.

Hello,

All of our packages come with full coverage, that is getting ready (before if you need at no additional cost) and the way until the end of the reception.

Stefanie

www.aniaphoto.com

I would say this depends on your personal needs before the wedding. Do you want a bunch of pictures of you and your bridesmaids getting ready or are you more focused on the ceremony/reception? I would book your photographer for at least an hour before your ceremony starts until when you estimate your reception will end. However, if youre concerned about running out of time then I would simply speak with your photographer about it upon booking. If you are working by the hour, many photographers will charge for additional hours. Ask them if you can plan for a specific amount of time but if you aren't done by them to please stay and they can bill you for the remaining time (seeing as how they can hold your pictures as collateral, this shouldn't be a problem). Simply state that you would like them there until you are in the car driving away (or whenever) and even if it is an hour later you would like them to stay and you agree to incur the extra fee.

I am getting a wedding package that includes 2 photographers (a husband and wife) they will get there early to get pics of the girls getting ready and the guys getting ready and stay till the end. I love this package because of the 2 photographers we will have 2 diff views of the wedding. Also they shoot journalistic style along with the typical posses. The work is awesome

I would ask different photographers how much they would charge for unlimited time. I offer my brides unlimited time(I leave when they Leave) This makes your day less stressful! If you tell them your budget then they will work with you. Trust me! I know.

We do have hours in our package offerings but have never paid attention to the clock. We start with the bride's hair & makeup & the groom getting ready with the grooms men (2 Photographers) till the new married couple leave the reception. We tell all our couples we will only watch the clock if the bride becomes a bridzilla (has never happened).

You'll want a photographer who comes early enough to get your getting ready photos, all the excitement, and stays as long as you want them to.

Not all photographers offer "unlimited" time (I do), so be sure to ask before hand so there are no surprises.

On average 6 hours should be plenty. And yes time is money. a 10 hours wedding requires other logistics than a 4 hours wedding. To shoot a wedding alone without assistance for 10 hours is almost impossible, while a small wedding for 4 hours easily can.

Obviously it is a difference in terms of value.

I believe you shouldn't have to worry about the time. There are some photographers like us that do the entire wedding coverage. It is definitely much more work on our end but we are dedicated to our job of documenting your special day from start to finish. Would be lame if a photographer time ended before all the excitement happened. Be safe and book the entire wedding or find an all coverage photographer.

When it comes to photography I say that you have to look at what is important to you. Do you want those fun and silly, but sometimes serious moments as you are getting ready? Do you want your photographer there till the end when most of your guests are totally wasted because of the open bar all night? We went with a 6 hour pckage with our photographer. She arrived so that we had plenty of time before the wedding to get fun photos and she was there till after the cake cutting, garter toss, and a few other games we did. We went ahead and did a staged exit because I didn't want to send money on having a limo take us away - so we used a friends Corvette to drive off. Talk to your photographer and see if they will customize a package that fits your needs. Our photographer worked with us to give us a package that gave us exactly what we wanted within our budget.

Hello! Most of my brides either book a 5 hour or 8 hour package. A few brides opt for 10+ hours. Most brides will want the getting ready photos. It's generally best to do the bridal party and bride/groom (unless you're a hidden bride) between the getting ready and the ceremony. Directly after the ceremony you'll probably want a few more bride/groom and bridal party photos, along with all the family photos. The photographer generally isn't needed all night unless you're having a special exit. So if you have a limo or nice car waiting for you at the end of the night, or your guest are going to light sparklers as you leave, then you'll probably want the photographer to stay there to the end. If you're not having a special exit, there really isn't the need for her/him to be there to the end. If you do all your reception events in the first couple hours, the last couple hours are often just dancing, and you don't need a couple hours of dancing photos of all the same people.

Our guy was great. He stayed until way after the cake ceremony.

I think the key is interviewing a few of them... and most important... really call the references. The one I hired had real true raves.

Also... he let us know before he left so we could get one more good shot.