GIRLFRIEND’S GUIDE TO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY: THE SKINNY ON WEDDING DAY COVERAGE

As a newly engaged couple you are faced with a million and one decisions about everything from color of your tablecloths to what shoes you will wear on your feet. And it can be daunting!

One of the biggest questions I get is “How much coverage do I really need?!” and since we all know I’m the world’s worst salesperson and will actually talk my clients out of coverage they don’t need… I’m about to set it all down in writing to help this be one of the easier decisions for you to make.

So here we go, based on number of hours of coverage… your guide to how much time you really need.

TWO HOURS OF COVERAGE

Coverage includes: Limited getting ready, Ceremony and Environmentals

This coverage is perfect for the couple that has a simple ceremony, an intimate group of guests (five or less) and really wants a bulk of their photo time to be focused on environmental photos of just the two of them.

Locations: One location only

SAMPLE TIMELINE:

• 10-1030AM: Photographer Arrives, Bride and Groom Details, Limited Getting Ready
• 1030AM: Ceremony Start
• 1045AM: Ceremony End
• 11-1145: Bride and Groom Portraits (Environmentals)
• 11:45-12PM: One Extra Activity (ie Toast and Cake cutting, Guest Photos, etc)

Perfect for: Elopements, Court House Civil Services or Vow Renewals

Doesn’t Suit: Multiple Locations, Large Weddings, More than one wedding event

FOUR HOURS OF COVERAGE

Coverage includes: limited pre-wedding, ceremony, portraits and first dances -or- no pre-wedding and almost complete reception coverage

This coverage is perfect for the couple that finds either the pre-wedding getting ready _or_ reception are most important to them but still want their day documented, has less than 40 guests or wants additional coverage/locations for their elopements.

Locations: One location or two locations within less than 5 minutes of each other (without worry of traffic)

SAMPLE TIMELINE (PRE-WEDDING COVERAGE):

• 10-1045AM: Photographer Arrives, Bridal Details & Getting Ready (Getting dressed only, Bride’s hair/make-up are finished and bridal party is dressed upon arrival)
• 1045-1115AM: Bride and Bridal Party Portraits
• 1115-1135AM: Groom Details and Groom Getting Ready
• 1135-1150: Groom and Groomsmen Portraits
• 1200: Ceremony Starts
• 1230PM: Ceremony Ends
• 1230-1PM: Bridal Party Portraits
• 1-130PM: Family Portraits
• 130-2PM: Bride and Groom Portraits (Environmentals)
• 2PM: Photographer Departs

SAMPLE TIMELINE (RECEPTION COVERAGE):

• 1145: Photographer Arrives, Guest Candids
• 1200: Ceremony Starts
• 1230PM: Ceremony Ends
• 1230-1PM: Bridal Party Portraits
• 1-130PM: Family Portraits
• 130-2PM: Bride and Groom Portraits (Environmentals)
• 2:15PM: Grand Entrance
• 2:20PM: First Dances (B/G, Parents)
• 2:30-330PM: Open Dancing, Guest Candids, Miscellaneous Reception Activities
• 330-345PM: Cake Cutting
• 345PM: Photographer Departs

Perfect for: Backyard weddings, Elopements with multiple locations, Small weddings with 50 guests or less.

Doesn’t Suit: Weddings with multiple locations. Long receptions or extensive details to be photographed. Cannot accommodate full getting ready, receiving lines, extended family portraits or large wedding parties.

SIX HOURS OF COVERAGE

Coverage includes: limited pre-wedding, ceremony, portraits and an hour of reception coverage

This coverage is perfect for the couple that want pre-wedding activities documented but would rather rely on guest photos for their reception or doesn’t place as much importance on the celebration portion of the day.

Locations: One location or two locations within 15 minutes of each other

SAMPLE TIMELINE:

• 10-1115AM: Photographer Arrives, Bridal Details & Getting Ready (Hair/Make-up Artist will be almost finished with bride upon arrival, Bridesmaids will be dressed and ready)
• 1115-1145AM: Bride and Bridal Party Portraits
• 1145AM-1205PM: Groom Details and Groom Getting Ready
• 1205-1230PM: Groom and Groomsmen Portraits
• 1230: Ceremony Starts
• 1245PM: Ceremony Ends
• 1245-115PM: Family Portraits (Group and limited individual)
• : Family Portraits (Group portraits only)
• 1230-115PM: Bride and Groom Portraits (Environmentals)
• 1:15PM: Grand Entrance
• 115-140PM: First Dances
• 140-2PM: Guest Candids

Perfect for: Backyard weddings, Elopements with multiple locations, Small weddings with 50 guests or less.

Doesn’t Suit: Weddings with multiple locations. Long receptions or extensive details to be photographed. Cannot accommodate full getting ready, receiving lines, extended family portraits or large wedding parties.

EIGHT HOURS OF COVERAGE

Coverage includes: pre-wedding, ceremony, portraits and reception coverage

This coverage is perfect for the couple that can’t imagine a moment of their day not being documented.

Locations: Multiple

SAMPLE TIMELINE:

• 10AM: Photographer Arrives and photographs Bridal Details & Hair/Make-up
• 1030AM: Second Shooter Arrives and photographs Groom’s Details
• 1045-1100AM: Bride Getting Ready
• 1100AM: Groom Getting Ready followed
• 1115-1130AM: Groom and Groomsmen Formals
• 1115-11:45: Bride and Bridesmaids Formals
• 1130AM: Groom Departs for Ceremony Location
• 1145AM: Bride Departs for Ceremony Location
• 1200: Ceremony Starts
• 1230PM: Ceremony Ends
• 1230-1245PM: Family Portraits
• 1245-1PM: Bridal Party Formals
• 1PM: Cocktail Hour Begins
• 115-145PM: Bride and Groom Portraits (Environmentals)
• 1:45PM: Grand Entrance
• 145-2PM: First Dances
• 2-230PM: Toasts & Speeches
• 2:30-3PM: Dinner is Served / Photographer Break
• 3:15PM: Cake Cutting
• 315-345PM: Cake is Served / Open Dancing
• 4PM: Anniversary Dance
• 415-545PM: Open Dancing or Other Reception Activity
• 5:45PM: Staged Bride & Groom Departure
• 6PM: Photographer Departs

Perfect for: All weddings

Doesn’t Suit: Weddings with locations 30 minutes or more apart or couples that have a pre-planned grand departure with activities like fireworks.

TEN OR MORE HOURS OF COVERAGE

Coverage includes: EVERYTHING

This coverage is perfect for the couple that has elaborate departures planned, has more than 200 guests, wants extensive bridal party photos taken or multiple locations with 30 minutes or more of a drive.

Locations: Multiple

Perfect for: All weddings with a large number of guests, travel during the day, long breaks between ceremony and reception or for the couple that really wants to make sure every moment of their day is documented from sunrise to sundown.

Doesn’t Suit: Small weddings at one location.

YM PHOTOGRAPHY TIMELINE PLANNERS

Since we love helping you plan your day, download one of our interactive timeline planners. Just download and open on your ipad, cell phone or computer to start planning today!

Half Day Wedding (pre-wedding coverage / no first look)

Half Day Wedding (pre-wedding coverage w/ first look)

Half Day Wedding (reception coverage)

Full Day Wedding (w/First Look)

Full Day Wedding (No First Look)

STAY FABULOUS!

Yesenia and Staff

Interested in more wedding day photography planning tips, check out the rest of our Girlfriend’s Guides to Wedding Photography by clicking HERE.

www.ymphotography.com | YM Photography | Bolton Landing on Lake George, NY Engagement and Wedding Photographer