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: Ceremony and Portraits

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 romantic portraits of just the two of them.

Locations: One location only

SAMPLE TIMELINE:

2PM: Photographer Arrives, First Look

2:15PM: Couple’s Portraits

2:45PM: Wedding Party Portraits

3PM: Ceremony Start

3:30PM: Family & Guest Portraits (immediately after ceremony ends)

4PM: Photographer Departs

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

Doesn’t Suit: Multiple Locations, Large Weddings, Couple that wants their First Dance photographed

FOUR HOURS OF COVERAGE

Coverage includes: limited pre-wedding, ceremony, portraits and first dances -or- no pre-wedding and some 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 50 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):

11:00AM: Photographer Arrives, Bridal Details & Getting Ready (Getting dressed only (no flatlays), Bride’s hair/make-up are finished and bridal party is dressed upon arrival)

11:30AM: Bride and Bridal Party Getting Ready

12PM: Bride and Bridal Party Portraits

12:30PM Groom & Groomsmen Portraits

1PM: Guests Begin Arriving, Couple in Hiding

1:30PM: Ceremony Starts

2PM: Cocktail Hour Begins

2PM: Family Portraits (These will begin immediately following ceremony end, immediate family only)

2:15PM: Wedding Party Portraits (Group Photos only)

2:30-3PM: Bride and Groom Portraits

3PM: Photographer Departs

SAMPLE TIMELINE (RECEPTION COVERAGE):

10:45AM: Photographer Arrives, First Look

11AM: Couple’s Portraits

11:30AM: Wedding Party Portraits

12PM: Family Portraits

12:30PM: Guests Begin Arriving, Couple in Hiding

1PM: Ceremony Starts

1:30PM: Cocktail Hour Begins

1:45PM: First Dances (B/G, Parents)

2PM: Toasts, Cake Cutting

245PM: 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:

12PM: Photographer Arrives, Bridal Details & Getting Ready (Hair/Make-up Artist will be almost finished with bride upon arrival, No flatlays)

12:45PM: Bride and Bridal Party Portraits

1:15PM: Groom Details and Groom Getting Ready, Groom and Groomsmen Portraits

1:45PM: First Look

2PM: Couple’s Portraits

230PM: Wedding Party Portraits

3PM: Guests Begin Arriving, Couple in Hiding, Venue Details (photographer)

3:30PM: Ceremony Starts

4PM: Cocktail Hour Begins

4PM: Family Portraits (or immediately after the ceremony ends)

4:30PM: Couple joins Cocktail Hour

5PM: Grand Entrance

5:15PM: First Dances

5:30PM: Guest Candids, Toasts or Cake Cutting

6PM: 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.

EIGHT HOURS OF COVERAGE

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

This coverage is perfect for the couple that wants a complete story of their wedding day

Locations: Multiple

SAMPLE TIMELINE:

1:45PM: Photographer Arrives and photographs wedding Details (to include flatlays)

2:45PM: Bride Getting Ready

3:15PM: Bride and Bridesmaids Portraits

3:45PM: Groom Getting Ready

4:15PM: Groom and Groomsmen Portraits

4:30PM: Guest Begins Arriving, Couple in Hiding

5PM: Ceremony Starts

5:30PM: Cocktail Hour Begins

5:30PM: Family Portraits (or immediately following ceremony end, immediate family only)

5:45PM: Wedding Party Formals (Group Photos only)

6PM: Limited Couple’s Photos (safety shots in case it rains at sunset), 15 mins at cocktail hour

6:30PM: Grand Entrance

6:45PM: First Dances

7PM: Toasts & Speeches

7:15PM: Dinner is Served / Photographer Break

8PM: Cake Cutting

8:30PM: Open Dancing

9:30PM: Staged Bride & Groom Departure

9:45PM: Photographer Departs

Perfect for: All weddings

Doesn’t Suit: Weddings with locations 30 minutes or more apart or couples that want the last dance photographed.

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.

STAY FABULOUS!

Yesenia

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