Raleigh wedding photography ~ How many hours do I need to book my photographer for?

The key in deciding how many hours of wedding photography coverage you'll need can be found in deciding what group of photos is most important to you. To help you figure this out I've posted a visual timeline for the hourly "photo-group" breakdown of a wedding day. This reflects my actual time taking the photos not the time in between such as travel to and from venue/photo session locations so don't forget to budget in our travel requirements in your total wedding day schedule.

* Time estimates used in this article are based on my own experience covering 8 1/2 hour to 10- hour weddings over the past few years. Actual times may vary slightly depending on how large your wedding is. An example of this time variation would be a formal family portrait consisting of 4-10 people in frame will take less than 5 mins to capture vs. a family group of 50-250 people which can take anywhere from 10-30 mins to photograph.

Group: "get ready" 

Photos of the "get ready" portion of the wedding day.

Typical coverage time: 1-2 hours 

ProTip: Don't forget about the "first look" session if that something that interests you. This takes about 15 mins.

Raleigh wedding photos of the "get ready" portion of the wedding day.Typical Coverage time: 1-2 hours Raleigh wedding photos of the "get ready" portion of the wedding day.Typical Coverage time: 1-2 hours Raleigh wedding photos of the "get ready" portion of the wedding day.Typical Coverage time: 1-2 hours Raleigh wedding photos of the "get ready" portion of the wedding day.Typical Coverage time: 1-2 hours

Group: "wedding ceremony"

Photos of the "ceremony" portion of the wedding day.

Typical coverage time: 10-45 mins depends on length of ceremony of course :)

Raleigh wedding photos of the "ceremony" portion of the wedding day.A visual timeline hourly breakdown of a day of wedding photography, the “wedding ceremony” session.Typical coverage time: 10-45 mins. Raleigh wedding photos of the "ceremony" portion of the wedding day.A visual timeline hourly breakdown of a day of wedding photography, the “wedding ceremony” session.Typical coverage time: 10-45 mins.

Group: "family formal portraits"

Photos of the "family formal portraits" portion of the wedding day. By the way, these times posted below may be shortened if all of the family members know ahead of time that they are expected to stick around for photos after the wedding so that we don't waste a sec of precious time looking for the right people.

 Typical coverage time will be about 10-30 mins depending mainly on number of people to be photographed in total.

* Entire extended family portrait including both sides of bride and grooms families in one frame time: approx. 8 mins

* Couple with brides extended family 3-5 mins

* Couple with brides immediate family 3 mins

* Couple with grooms extended family 3-5 mins

* Couple with grooms immediate family 3 mins

Raleigh wedding photos of the "family formal portrait" portion of the wedding day.A visual timeline hourly breakdown of a day of wedding photography, the “family formal portrait” session.

Group: "wedding party formal portraits"

Photos of the "wedding party" portion session of the wedding day.

Typical coverage time: 10-15 mins depending on the size of your wedding party and number of poses requested.

ProTip: Usually this portrait session consists of the following, bride w/bridesmaids, groom w/bridesmaids, bride w/groomsmen, groom w/ groomsmen and the happy couple with their entire wedding party. If your schedule allows it,  leave a little time for a fun group photo and perhaps a portrait with each member of your wedding party.

Raleigh wedding photos of the "wedding party formal portraits" session of the wedding day.Group:"wedding party" Photos of the "wedding party" portion session of the wedding day. Typical coverage time: 10-15 mins depending on the size of your wedding party and number of poses requested. Raleigh wedding photos of the "wedding party formal portraits" session of the wedding day.Group:"wedding party" Photos of the "wedding party" portion session of the wedding day. Typical coverage time: 10-15 mins depending on the size of your wedding party and number of poses requested.

Group: "couples wedding portraits"

Photos of the "couples wedding portrait " session of the wedding day.

Typical coverage time: 15-25 mins depending on your preferences.

Raleigh wedding photos of the "couples formal portrait" session of the wedding day.Group:"couples formal portrait session" Photos of the "couples formal" portion session of the wedding day. Typical coverage time: 10-25 mins depending your preferences/and number of poses requested. Raleigh wedding photos of the "couples formal portrait" session of the wedding day.Group:"couples formal portrait session" Photos of the "couples formal" portion session of the wedding day. Typical coverage time: 10-25 mins depending your preferences/and number of poses requested. Raleigh wedding photos of the "couples formal portrait" session of the wedding day.Group:"couples formal portrait session" Photos of the "couples formal" portion session of the wedding day. Typical coverage time: 10-25 mins depending your preferences/and number of poses requested.

Group: "reception"

Photos of the "reception" portion of the wedding day.

Typical coverage time: 1-5 hours  depending on client schedule and desired photos. 

ProTip: Its totally OK prioritize to your possible "must have" photo moments such as your first dance, father/mother daughter/son dances, cake cutting, toasts, garter & bouquet toss and then schedule those events to happen within the first portion of your wedding reception to save $ on total reception photo coverage time.

A word of advice though, you will definitely want to allow a bit of time for me to capture all of your beautiful decorations and the yummy food that you've paid for as well as the awesome candid "in between" moments of you and your guests having fun!

Raleigh wedding photos of the “wedding reception" portion of the wedding dayGroup:"wedding reception” Photos of the "wedding reception” portion session of the wedding day. Typical coverage time: 1-5 hours  depending on client schedule and desired photos.  * Hint...Its totally OK prioritize to your possible "must have" photo moments such as your first dance, father/mother daughter/son dances, cake cutting, toasts, garter & bouquet toss and then schedule those events to happen within the first portion of your wedding reception to save $ on total reception photo coverage time. A word of advice though, you will definitely want to allow a bit of time for me to capture those gorgeous decorations and yummy food that you've paid for as well as the awesome candid "in between" moments of you and your guests having fun! Raleigh wedding photos of the “wedding reception" portion of the wedding dayGroup:"wedding reception” Photos of the "wedding reception” portion session of the wedding day. Typical coverage time: 1-5 hours  depending on client schedule and desired photos.  * Hint...Its totally OK prioritize to your possible "must have" photo moments such as your first dance, father/mother daughter/son dances, cake cutting, toasts, garter & bouquet toss and then schedule those events to happen within the first portion of your wedding reception to save $ on total reception photo coverage time. A word of advice though, you will definitely want to allow a bit of time for me to capture those gorgeous decorations and yummy food that you've paid for as well as the awesome candid "in between" moments of you and your guests having fun! Raleigh wedding photos of the “wedding reception" portion of the wedding dayGroup:"wedding reception” Photos of the "wedding reception” portion session of the wedding day. Typical coverage time: 1-5 hours  depending on client schedule and desired photos.  * Hint...Its totally OK prioritize to your possible "must have" photo moments such as your first dance, father/mother daughter/son dances, cake cutting, toasts, garter & bouquet toss and then schedule those events to happen within the first portion of your wedding reception to save $ on total reception photo coverage time. A word of advice though, you will definitely want to allow a bit of time for me to capture those gorgeous decorations and yummy food that you've paid for as well as the awesome candid "in between" moments of you and your guests having fun! Raleigh wedding photos of the “wedding reception" portion of the wedding dayGroup:"wedding reception” Photos of the "wedding reception” portion session of the wedding day. Typical coverage time: 1-5 hours  depending on client schedule and desired photos.  * Hint...Its totally OK prioritize to your possible "must have" photo moments such as your first dance, father/mother daughter/son dances, cake cutting, toasts, garter & bouquet toss and then schedule those events to happen within the first portion of your wedding reception to save $ on total reception photo coverage time. A word of advice though, you will definitely want to allow a bit of time for me to capture those gorgeous decorations and yummy food that you've paid for as well as the awesome candid "in between" moments of you and your guests having fun! Raleigh wedding photos of the “wedding reception" portion of the wedding dayGroup:"wedding reception” Photos of the "wedding reception” portion session of the wedding day. Typical coverage time: 1-5 hours  depending on client schedule and desired photos.  * Hint...Its totally OK prioritize to your possible "must have" photo moments such as your first dance, father/mother daughter/son dances, cake cutting, toasts, garter & bouquet toss and then schedule those events to happen within the first portion of your wedding reception to save $ on total reception photo coverage time. A word of advice though, you will definitely want to allow a bit of time for me to capture those gorgeous decorations and yummy food that you've paid for as well as the awesome candid "in between" moments of you and your guests having fun! Raleigh wedding photos of the “wedding reception" portion of the wedding dayGroup:"wedding reception” Photos of the "wedding reception” portion session of the wedding day. Typical coverage time: 1-5 hours  depending on client schedule and desired photos.  * Hint...Its totally OK prioritize to your possible "must have" photo moments such as your first dance, father/mother daughter/son dances, cake cutting, toasts, garter & bouquet toss and then schedule those events to happen within the first portion of your wedding reception to save $ on total reception photo coverage time. A word of advice though, you will definitely want to allow a bit of time for me to capture those gorgeous decorations and yummy food that you've paid for as well as the awesome candid "in between" moments of you and your guests having fun! Raleigh wedding photos of the “wedding reception" portion of the wedding dayGroup:"wedding reception” Photos of the "wedding reception” portion session of the wedding day. Typical coverage time: 1-5 hours  depending on client schedule and desired photos.  * Hint...Its totally OK prioritize to your possible "must have" photo moments such as your first dance, father/mother daughter/son dances, cake cutting, toasts, garter & bouquet toss and then schedule those events to happen within the first portion of your wedding reception to save $ on total reception photo coverage time. A word of advice though, you will definitely want to allow a bit of time for me to capture those gorgeous decorations and yummy food that you've paid for as well as the awesome candid "in between" moments of you and your guests having fun! Raleigh wedding photos of the “wedding reception" portion of the wedding dayGroup:"wedding reception” Photos of the "wedding reception” portion session of the wedding day. Typical coverage time: 1-5 hours  depending on client schedule and desired photos.  * Hint...Its totally OK prioritize to your possible "must have" photo moments such as your first dance, father/mother daughter/son dances, cake cutting, toasts, garter & bouquet toss and then schedule those events to happen within the first portion of your wedding reception to save $ on total reception photo coverage time. A word of advice though, you will definitely want to allow a bit of time for me to capture those gorgeous decorations and yummy food that you've paid for as well as the awesome candid "in between" moments of you and your guests having fun! Raleigh wedding photos of the “wedding reception" portion of the wedding dayGroup:"wedding reception” Photos of the "wedding reception” portion session of the wedding day. Typical coverage time: 1-5 hours  depending on client schedule and desired photos.  * Hint...Its totally OK prioritize to your possible "must have" photo moments such as your first dance, father/mother daughter/son dances, cake cutting, toasts, garter & bouquet toss and then schedule those events to happen within the first portion of your wedding reception to save $ on total reception photo coverage time. A word of advice though, you will definitely want to allow a bit of time for me to capture those gorgeous decorations and yummy food that you've paid for as well as the awesome candid "in between" moments of you and your guests having fun!

Don't forget I am always on the lookout for ALL of the possible wedding photo moments that you might want for later, even the unplanned ones!

ProTip: Don't give your car keys to a member of your wedding party unless your down with what follows below...

Raleigh wedding photos of the “wedding reception" portion of the wedding dayGroup:"wedding reception” Photos of the "wedding reception” portion session of the wedding day. Typical coverage time: 1-5 hours  depending on client schedule and desired photos.  * Hint...Its totally OK prioritize to your possible "must have" photo moments such as your first dance, father/mother daughter/son dances, cake cutting, toasts, garter & bouquet toss and then schedule those events to happen within the first portion of your wedding reception to save $ on total reception photo coverage time. A word of advice though, you will definitely want to allow a bit of time for me to capture those gorgeous decorations and yummy food that you've paid for as well as the awesome candid "in between" moments of you and your guests having fun!

Group:”grand exit”

Photos of the “grand exit “ portion session of the wedding day.

Typical coverage time: 3 -10 mins depending on how fast you get out the door and into your car.

ProTip: Bubbles, sparklers and iPhone flashlights look pretty awesome in evening photos! Take the time to stop and pose for one last photo before you leave for a long exposure shot with your guest waving sparklers or waving their flashlights in the back ground. 

Glow sicks are cool substitute but it has to be completely dark outside for them to look good in photos. 

Raleigh wedding photos of the “grand exit“ portion of the wedding dayGroup:”grand exit” Photos of the “grand exit “ portion session of the wedding day. Typical coverage time: 3 -10 mins depending on how fast you get out the door and into your car. ProTip: Bubbles, sparklers and iPhone flashlights look pretty awesome in evening photos! Take the time to stop and pose for one last photo before you leave for a long exposure shot with your guest waving sparklers or waving their flashlights in the back ground. Glow sicks are cool substitute but it has to be completely dark outside for them to look good in photos.