How much time does a wedding photographer need?


Wedding day planning and coordinating can be a daunting task, especially when you are taking it upon yourself to manage it all! One of the biggest questions that I get from couples, wedding planners, coordinators and vendors is how long it takes to photograph an event. The answer is honestly never the same for every wedding because of the nuances to each venue, couple needs, etc; however, I developed a truncated timeline as a helpful starting point to guide couples and planners through my process. 


My approach to wedding day coverage is to be as flexible and nimble as possible to make sure everyone (planners, coordinators, vendors, couples, bridal parties, friends and families) are happy. Weddings are personal and your gallery should be a time capsule for your day. By providing time needed, we can then work together to craft a more detailed view for your wedding day.


  • Bridal portraits: 1 hour
  • Bridal Party: 30 minutes
  • Groom Portraits: 10 minutes
  • Groomsmen: 20 to 30 minutes
  • Family Portraits: 20 to 30 minutes minutes for each side
  • Full Bridal Party: 20 minutes
  • Private Couples Session: 20 to 40 minutes


MINIMUM TOTAL HOURS NEEDED = 3 hours, 10 minutes


The time between the 3 hour minimum is quickly filled with additional private couples sessions, candid, and detail photography opportunities to maximize the time that we have together.


If you look at my pricing guide, you’ll see that the base package that I offer is a minimum of 5 hours up to 8 hours of coverage. All packages allow for ample breathing room throughout the day in case there are any last minute changes needed, and packages allow couples to personalize their wedding day so that it is authentic and special.


My rule for delivering online galleries is to provide at least 1 photo per minute, so I am constantly watching and moving to find those beautiful moments in between the planned and coordinated photo ops. 


I hope that you find this guide helpful. Please do not hesitate to contact me through my website, Instagram or Facebook to ask any questions! I am always here to serve :) 


Best,

Skylar Sperin Photography