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Dedicated March 2021

Wedding Photography Help!

Bryanna, on May 22, 2019 at 5:27 PM Posted in Planning 0 10

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So I have a little under a year left until my big day! And I am just so confused when it comes to the length of time I would need a photographer! Every photographer seems to have a 4 hour package, 6 hour package, and a Full day package. The logical thing for me would be to just go in the middle with 6 hours, but my fiancé feels we wouldn’t need a photographer for that long.... ugh! Anyways another part of my problem is that I haven’t sat and actually planned out the time slots for everything to take place that day! And of course every photographer I’ve talked to suggests I get the TOP package, so how long do/did you guys have a photographer? Anybody get a full day? Was it a waste of time? Hellllpppppp!

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10 Comments

Latest activity by Lauren, on May 22, 2019 at 10:20 PM

Dedicated August 2018
Sarah Katreen · on May 22, 2019 at 5:32 PM
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We did a six hour package which covered getting ready to all the classic moments of the reception. It worked well for us.
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Champion July 2019
Veronica · on May 22, 2019 at 5:35 PM
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We are having ours for 10 hours which includes getting ready photos, ceremony, and reception.
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Legend July 2019
MrsD · on May 22, 2019 at 5:36 PM
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We have ours for 8 hours. So 2 hours of getting ready, then our entire wedding. Same for the videographer!
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Master October 2020
Mandi · on May 22, 2019 at 5:36 PM
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Mine just arrives when you tell her, and leaves when you feel is ok.
I'm skipping the getting ready photos.
We wi have her from 1:30pm (2 hours before ceremony time) to take photos of my bridesmaids and me, groomsmen and groom, a couple cute shots of me with my mom, the like.
Thru the ceremony.
Taking entire bridal party photos after the ceremony.
And for the reception at 7.
I'm thinking 1:30-9 is what we will essentially need her for.
But we are also having a spread out timeline.
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Expert October 2019
Jennifer · on May 22, 2019 at 5:37 PM
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We're doing 6. Starting with getting ready and details up through the cake cutting and speeches. If you want to do a grand exit or something else special at the end of the ceremony, or if you want to do a first look and also family photos in advance, get the full day. If you can do some of the photos during cocktail hour and nothing special planned for the end of the night, six is good. Four is snug if you want to do portraits as well as candids.
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Champion October 2018
Kelly · on May 22, 2019 at 5:37 PM
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We had ours for 9 hours. Wedding was from 4-10 but she got there at 1 to do detail shots, me getting in my dress, first look, and wedding party pictures. My photographer also had different packages but I told her exactly what I wanted and she made a bespoke package for me rather than doing a cookie cutter one.
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VIP September 2019
Lauren · on May 22, 2019 at 5:42 PM
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I would suggest:
1 -2 hours of "getting ready" and detail photographs before the ceremony.
If you are doing first look that needs to be added in as well with any group/family photos you want to take before the ceremony. - 1 - 2 hrs
The Ceremony - 1 hour
Cocktail hour (bridal party/family photos) - 1 hour
And Reception for the First Dance, Father/Daughter, Mother/Son, toasts, Bouquet toss, Garter Toss, Cake cutting, etc. After cake cutting it is probably just general dancing so the photographers are probably done unless you are planning a grand exit. - 4 - 5 hours
You are looking at an 8 - 10 hour day unless there are items you can cross out.
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Dedicated March 2021
Bryanna · on May 22, 2019 at 6:58 PM
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I was thinking the same thing! 4 hours would not be enough time to get all of the shots I want plus portraits. I know I want the getting ready, ceremony, and of course moments at the reception such as cake cutting, first dance, bouquet toss, etc. I think 6 hours would be reasonable for that right?
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Dedicated March 2021
Bryanna · on May 22, 2019 at 7:03 PM
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I don’t want to cut anything out, but I guess that’s why having a timeline for the day works before booking a photographer. I think 6 hours is reasonable if we can get all the shots we need. I’m really leaning away from the “full day” (I guess 7 or more hours is considered full day) photography because the price jumps from affordable to WOAH with the ones I’ve seen.
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VIP September 2019
Lauren · on May 22, 2019 at 10:20 PM
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You could also have a Day of Coordinator or friend not in the wedding party there for photos to keep everyone moving and on schedule. You might be able to shave off an hour if everyone is focused.
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