Wedding Photography Timeline Examples: What Each One Covers
What Does Each Wedding Photography Package Really Cover? Here’s a Breakdown.
One of the most common questions I get from couples is “How much coverage do we really need?” And it’s a great question—because your photography timeline plays a huge role in how your wedding day feels. Whether you’re planning a relaxed morning with plenty of time to get ready or an adventure-packed celebration with multiple locations, the amount of photography coverage you choose should reflect the rhythm and priorities of your day. On this page, I’ll walk you through what each of my wedding photography packages includes and share wedding photography timeline examples so you can better visualize how the day might flow.
Whether you’re considering the 4, 6, 8, 10 or even full-weekend package, this guide will help you find the right fit for your celebration — and ensure no meaningful moment is missed.
How to Choose the Right Amount of Wedding Day Photography Coverage
One of the biggest questions couples face when booking their photographer is how many hours of wedding photography coverage they really need. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — because your day, your priorities, and your pace are completely your own. But here are a few helpful things to consider:
Start with your timeline, not just the hours
Instead of asking “What can I fit into 6 hours?” try thinking in terms of “What do I want documented?” Do you want the full getting ready experience captured? Are sunset portraits important to you? Is it a priority to have photos of your guests once the party gets going? Let your vision guide the coverage — not the other way around. And if you’re really feeling stuck, try working backwards. Figure out when you want your photographer to end and work backwards from there to determine their starting point and how much coverage that adds up to.
Factor in your wedding structure
Smaller weddings with fewer events or at a single location tend to need less time than full-scale, multi-location celebrations. If you’re keeping things simple and skipping a formal reception, 4 – 6 hours might be perfect. If your day spans across venues or includes meaningful pre- or post-ceremony time, you’ll likely want 8 hours or more.
Build in buffer time
Things almost always run a little behind on a wedding day — and that’s okay. But the last thing you want is to feel rushed or miss out on portraits because the schedule didn’t allow breathing room. Choosing more coverage creates space for spontaneity, movement, and real connection.
Think about how you want to feel
Do you want to breeze through the day with calm intention, or cram every photo into a tight window? Longer coverage allows the experience to unfold naturally — so you’re not racing the clock or sacrificing meaningful moments just to stick to a timeline.
Still unsure? I’m happy to help talk through what your ideal day could look like and recommend a package that feels aligned. The goal isn’t just to get coverage — it’s to create space for the best version of your day to shine. Take a look below at some wedding photography timeline examples. The timeline for your own day will go more in-depth than what you see here but these examples should be good starting points.
4-Hour Intimate Wedding & Elopement Package
Who it’s for:
This package is designed exclusively for intimate celebrations and elopements — think quiet mountaintop vows, backyard gatherings, or courthouse weddings with just a few close witnesses. It’s best suited for events with minimal formal structure, a single location, and a focus on candid connection rather than tradition.
What it typically covers:
- Getting ready or arrival details (brief coverage)
- Ceremony
- Couple portraits
- A few family and group photos
- Candid storytelling of your time together post-ceremony
This is a beautiful option for couples who want meaningful documentation without the need for a full-day schedule.
Wedding Photography Timeline Example:
2:00pm — Photographer arrives (final getting ready moments or arrival at ceremony location)
2:30pm — Ceremony (short and sweet, full of heart)
3:00pm — Family & group photos (simple and efficient)
3:30pm — Couple portraits (time to explore, wander, and soak it in together)
6pm — Photographer departs
Optional Add-Ons That Pair Well:
- Permit & Planning Assistance: For adventurous elopements in nature
- Custom Location Scouting: Especially helpful if you’re not local
- Heirloom Album or Print Box: A tangible way to remember your intimate day
6-Hour Wedding Package
Who it’s for:
This package is ideal for intimate weddings, elopements, or celebrations with a simpler structure —typically one location, fewer guests, and minimal formalities. It’s best suited for couples who want key moments documented without full-day coverage (a 6-hour day is considered partial coverage).
What it typically covers:
- A few final getting ready moments
- Ceremony
- Couple portraits
- Family and group photos
- Partial reception coverage (toasts, dinner, or first dances — depending on timing)
If you’re not planning many traditional events, or you’re keeping things short and sweet, 6 hours may be the perfect amount of time to document what matters most.
Wedding Photography Timeline Example:
2:00pm — Photographer arrives (detail photos, final touches of getting ready (bride/groom already dressed or nearly there)
2:30pm — First look & couple portraits (optional, depending on preference and light)
3:15pm — Family & wedding party photos (usually all in one location before the ceremony)
4:00pm — Ceremony (unplugged and full of meaning)
4:30pm — Post-ceremony mingling or champagne toast (candids, hugs, and natural joy)
5:00pm — Reception begins (dinner, toasts, and first dances)
8:00pm — Photographer departs
Optional Add-Ons That Pair Well:
- Engagement Session (included!): A great way to warm up in front of the camera
- Additional Hour: If you’d like full getting ready or extended dance floor coverage
- Heirloom Album: To preserve your favorite highlights in print
8-Hour Wedding Package
Who it’s for:
This is the sweet spot for most full-day weddings. It offers enough time to capture the full story — from getting ready through the major reception moments — without feeling rushed. It’s perfect for couples hosting a traditional wedding with a ceremony and reception at the same (or nearby) locations.
What it typically covers:
- Getting ready (with plenty of time for details and candids)
- First look (optional)
- Ceremony
- Family + wedding party photos
- Couple portraits
- Reception highlights: dinner, toasts, first dance, parent dances, cake cutting, and some open dancing
Wedding Photography Timeline Example:
12:00pm — Photographer arrives (getting ready, detail shots, candids, and natural moments unfolding)
1:30pm — First look & couple portraits (plenty of time for a walk, an adventure, or a quiet moment together)
2:30pm — Wedding party & family photos (organized but relaxed)
4:00pm — Ceremony (documented fully and without distraction)
4:30pm — Post-ceremony joy (champagne, hugs, and golden-hour candids)
5:30pm — Reception begins (dinner, toasts, and formal dances)
7:00pm — Dance floor opens (party kicks off with a few great candid shots)
8:00pm — Photographer departs
Optional Add-Ons That Pair Well:
- Second Photographer: Great for larger weddings or when getting ready in separate locations
- Heirloom Album: A beautiful way to preserve a full day’s worth of memories
- Rehearsal Dinner Coverage: Adds even more storytelling depth to your weekend
10-Hour Wedding Package
Who it’s for:
This package is designed for couples who want their entire day captured from start to finish — with breathing room built in. It’s especially well-suited for weddings with multiple locations, longer travel times, or those who want an unhurried experience where every part of the day can unfold naturally.
What it typically covers:
- Full getting ready coverage (both partners)
- First look or pre-ceremony portraits
- Ceremony
- Family + wedding party photos
- Couple portraits (including a second golden hour or twilight session, if desired)
- Reception: dinner, toasts, first dances, open dancing, and special send-offs
This option allows for a much slower pace and tends to yield the most storytelling-rich galleries.
Wedding Photography Timeline Example:
11:30am — Photographer arrives (flat lays, detail photos, candids, and coverage of both partners getting ready)
1:30pm — First look & couple portraits (a relaxed and intentional portrait session)
2:30pm — Family + wedding party photos (plenty of time to gather everyone without a rush)
4:00pm — Ceremony (documented quietly and thoroughly)
4:45pm — Cocktail hour & mingling (unscripted moments, guest laughter, and natural light portraits)
6:00pm — Reception begins (dinner, toasts, first dance, parent dances)
7:45pm — Cake cutting (close out dinner in the sweetest way)
7:55pm — Dance floor opens (fun, movement, and celebration)
8:30pm — Golden hour portraits or nighttime photos (optional portraits as the light fades or after-dark creative shots)
9:30pm — Photographer departs
Optional Add-Ons That Pair Well:
- Rehearsal Dinner Coverage: Perfect for multi-day storytelling
- Second Photographer: For maximum coverage across locations
- Custom Album Design: Tell the full story with a keepsake you’ll return to for decades
Full Weekend Wedding Package
Who it’s for:
This is the most comprehensive package I offer — perfect for destination weddings, multi-day events, or couples who want their full wedding weekend documented from start to finish. It includes up to 16 hours of photography, spread out however you’d like across the weekend (think welcome dinners, hikes, rehearsal gatherings, ceremony day, morning-after brunches — you name it).
What it includes:
- Travel anywhere in the U.S. included
- Up to 16 hours of coverage, distributed across multiple days
- Custom timeline planning
- Full wedding day coverage plus space for storytelling around it
- Flexibility to slow down and be fully present throughout the weekend
Wedding Photography Timeline Example Breakdown:
Friday: Rehearsal Dinner
6:00–8:00pm — Welcome event, candids, toasts, sunset portraits
Saturday: Wedding Day
11:30am –10:00pm — Full coverage from getting ready through dance floor and send-off
Sunday: Brunch or Adventure Session
10:00am –12:00pm — Casual brunch with guests or portraits in a scenic location
Optional Add-Ons That Pair Well:
- Custom Album Set: One for you, one for each set of parents
- Film Photography Upgrade: Perfect for adding timeless storytelling elements
- Second Photographer: For full weekend coverage across multiple locations or large events
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Fit for Your Day
Whether you’re planning a quiet elopement, a single-location celebration, or a full wedding weekend filled with events, there’s a photography package designed to support your vision without rushing the moments that matter.
If you’re still unsure which option is right for you, I’m more than happy to help talk through your timeline and priorities. Photography isn’t just about documenting what happened — it’s about giving you the space to slow down, take it all in, and remember it fully.
You can browse my full package offerings here or reach out directly via my contact form to start planning a coverage option that feels like the perfect fit.
Let’s tell your story — start to finish, and exactly as it deserves to be remembered.
Explore more blog posts
- Wedding Photography Timeline Examples: What Each One Covers
- Adventure Elopement in Goat Rocks Wilderness: A Love Story
- Relaxed Adirondack Loj Wedding: A Heartfelt Celebration in the Mountains
- Whimsical Wedding at Gray Gables Estate Wedding Venue in Oregon
- Summer Sunset Engagement Session at Oregon’s Scenic Fitton Green
