How much time allotted for photos?

3 hours is a LONG time to allot for pictures. Even with getting ready photos, it's still a long time. We had a half hour of getting ready photos and 1 hour of just girls/just guys photos. Then we had everyone take pictures together during our cocktail hour. Maybe 2 hours before ceremony to be safe?

Your photographer should be able to help you figure this out.

We are giving ourselves 1 hr of wedding party pictures. But we also scheduled extra time for travel from the hotel to the picture site and back, like 30 min each way even though it's a 5 min walk.

1PM - Wedding Party meets us at hotel

1:30-2PM - Travel to photo location

2-3PM - Wedding party pictures

3-3:30PM - Travel to venue

3:30-5PM - Check venue, get acquainted, rest, rehearse, meet with venue coordinator, DJ etc

5PM - Ceremony etc etc

We are doing the first look and pictures from 1-3 and then pictures with family 45 minutes after the ceremony. I think that's more than enough time for us.

We have a large bridal party and have allotted an hour and 15 minutes for photos, but we are doing a first look before hand so we can get all the group shots we want. I think the amount of time depends on how many BMs and GMS you have and if you have more than one photographer or not.

ETA: in total we are allowing 2 and a half hours for photos

45 mins for first look and Bride and Groom portraits

75 minutes for Bridal party photos (our friends are super important to us and we want ALL the pictures!)

30 minutes for formal family photos.

So I'd start at the ceremony time and work your way backwards. At what point do you need to be "hidden away"? Is there transportation time from the picture taking location to the ceremony? And do you have 1 photographer or 2?

So as a photographer, let me give you another perspective. First, the reason you hire a photographer, is to capture photographs for your album. You need an album because it is the centerpiece of showcasing your entire wedding. It is your first family heirloom, it will be around for future generations.

With that being said, and second, the more time your photographer captures on your wedding day, the better, and more dynamic your wedding will be. Think of it like trying to paint a picture with five colors verses fifteen or even more. Or think of trying to tell a story with a limite amount of words verses then entire english language. So when it comes to your wedding, as a photographer, I'm going to be able to tell a better story and produce a more beautiful album with pictures from your rehearsal, fittings, tastings, getting ready, formals, ceremony and your entire reception, versed just photographing your ceremony and limited time at the reception.

This is why I provide all day coverage as a part of my package. I don't want to limit my creativity and your ability to tell your story in your album.

I hope that helps

We are also not doing a first look and having a 6:30pm ceremony. Our photographer worked with our needs and developed a timeline. She starts at 3, photos of bride/bridesmaids at 4, guys at 5, and then we are doing extended family portraits during cocktail hour, plus full bridal party and some couples portraits. We wanted to get more shots outside but with the timing of the ceremony it wasn't possible without doing a first look. However we scheduled a couples portrait session the day after the wedding in the afternoon with our photographer and are able to get the ones we want with plenty of time.

Our ceremony is 5-6, photos 6-7 (while cocktail hour is going on) and then the reception officially starts at 7.

Trust me if you have a large bridal party with children and you want all the formal shots then you will eat up that 3 hours like it was nothing. I didn't have a bridal party. All I had was my daughter gave me away and the three grandchildren were ring bearers and a flower girl. We started at 2 and shot to 5:15pm. wedding started late at 5:45pm and we did family formal shots right after the reception started. We did the cake cutting shots and us mingling and then the grand exit at 8pm. Then my husband and I went to the covered bridge with our photographers and we shot for another 45 minutes to an hour. So no wedding party and we were taking pictures for 7 hours straight. Ask your photographer for a timeline and give your photographer a list of photos that you want. This will help you get a better timeline for your wedding. My photographer told me that it was going to be crazy and fast paced because my wedding and reception were extremely short so your photographer should give you a pretty good heads up to what to expect. Good Luck.

My photographer requires at least 30 minutes before the ceremony and 30 minutes after to be allotted for pictures and nothing else.

I am a professional photographer and we always schedule pictures (family, couple, bridal party) during the cocktail hour. An hour is the perfect amount of time.

There are so many variables. Lisa is right generally, an hours is enough, but it depends on so many other factors, such as how many pictures, wedding party size, and if it is same site, or you have to drive to the reaction. It's best to talk with your photographer and come up with a game plan.

I would definitely chat with your photographer. 3 hours does seem long but ...

- how many people are on either side? Are you including extended family and large groups?

- is this meant to include the individual formal images of you and your FH that will be at a different/location site from the family formals?

- does this time include bridal prep and candid groom prep?

If this time is all inclusive of the above, 3 hours sounds about right.

Talk to your photographer. Based on family and wedding party size, ours told me 45 min - an hour. She is super fast paced though.