Photographer package question

I vote 8 hours just because I want our photographer to be there to take getting ready photos and do a lot of photos before the ceremony so cocktail hour doesn't run too long. Otherwise, I would say 6 hours is fine since our wedding is from 3-8.

6 hours could be enough. It really depends on what you want. Will you be doing a first look? Do you care about "getting ready" pictures? Usually what extends a photographer's timeline is when the B&G want photos from the beginning of the process all the way to the end. So, pics while getting ready, then pics of a first look, then BP photos, family photos, photos during the reception/intro/dances/cake cutting, etc.

You can probably get by with 6 hours, if you don't need to have photos of the entire day, start to finish. Prioritize what you want photos of, and see if you can fit that into 6 hours. If you're not doing a first look, or any photos before the ceremony, then you don't need your photographer to come as early, giving you more time on the back end of your day.

I think this depends on what you want captured. E.g getting ready photos? Do you have a grand exit? If not then six could be enough

If you're not doing a grand exit, I think shaving an hour or two off the reception could be a good way to save money. There are only so many dancing photographs a guy can take and toward the end of the night your numbers will probably dwindle so he'll be photographing the same people. Personally, I don't care much about getting ready pictures. We'll have our photographer for 8 hours and getting ready pictures are included, but if there were a cheaper 6 hour option I'd probably take it and skip an hour of getting ready and the last hour of the reception. But, if you want getting ready pictures through grand exit then it is definitely worth it.

We did 8 hours. Two hours of getting ready, and our entire wedding. We are super happy with a lot of the getting ready pictures.

I'm having 6 hours of coverage. I don't care to have getting ready photos and we're not having a grand exit at the end. That being said, if I could afford 8 hours I probably would do so as I think it'd feel less rushed to get all the pics you want.
For reference, my ceremony is at 4pm and the reception ends at 9:30. I'm planning on having the photographer there from about 2:30-8:30.

Depends how long your wedding is and if you will be doing a first look and if you want getting ready photos! I would highly recommend 8 hours and you can always suggest to the photographer that you guys don’t wanna spend a lot of time “posing for photos” and they can capture a lot of candid moments of the couple and your guests!