How Much Photo + Video Coverage Do You Really Need? A Complete Guide for Newly Engaged Couples

One of the very first decisions couples face when booking a wedding photographer or videographer is choosing the right amount of coverage. And if you've never planned a wedding before… how on earth are you supposed to know whether you need 6 hours, 8 hours, 10 hours, or more?

If you’re already feeling overwhelmed ...you’re not alone. Most couples have no idea how long things actually take on a wedding day, because why would you? This is likely your first wedding, but for us, we’ve seen hundreds. And the good news? Once you understand how the flow of a wedding day works, choosing the right coverage becomes so much easier.

Below is a complete, easy-to-understand guide that will walk you through how much time you actually need, with examples, timeline notes, and guidance based on real wedding days we’ve captured.

Why Coverage Time Matters More Than You Think

Your wedding photos and videos tell the story of your day, but only if we’re there to capture the full story.

Coverage time affects things like:

• Whether your getting-ready moments are included

• If you’ll have time for a first look or bridal party portraits

• Whether we can capture details, candids, room reveals, and nighttime photos

• How rushed or relaxed your timeline feels

• Whether dances, cake cutting, and special moments make it into your gallery and film

• How much creativity we can bring into lighting, posing, content creation, and storytelling

A well-timed day feels effortless. Too little coverage can make the day feel rushed. Too much coverage allows space to breathe, enjoy the moment, and create more meaningful images.

Understanding Wedding Coverage Options

Below is the simple breakdown followed by incredibly detailed examples so you can make a confident choice.

4 Hours of Coverage

Perfect for:

• Elopements

• Intimate ceremonies

• Simple celebrations without getting-ready coverage

• Couples who want the essentials only

This typically covers:

• Ceremony

• Mini portrait session

• One or two small moments (first dance, cake, etc.)

4 hours is not enough for a traditional wedding day with multiple events but for intimate elopements, it can be a dream.

6 Hours of Coverage

Perfect for:

• Smaller weddings with minimal prep

• Couples skipping a first look

• Ceremony + key reception events

Typically covers:

• Final touches of getting ready (usually staged)

• Ceremony

• Couples portraits

• Family + wedding party photos

• First dance/speeches/cake

Typically will not cover:

• Any first looks

• Detail photos

• Flat lays

• Reception dancing

• Send-offs

This option works great for couples who want the important moments captured but don’t need getting-ready or full reception

8 Hours of Coverage (A very popular option)

Perfect for:

• Full wedding days from getting ready till dancing

• Ceremony through reception without travel

• Couples who want detail photos, candids, and a fuller story

Typically covers:

• Getting ready

• Detail photos (dress, rings, invitations, florals)

• First look + full portraits

• Ceremony

• Full reception entrance + events

• A little bit of open dancing

8 hours allows for the storytelling to start to take shape.

10 Hours of Coverage (Highly Recommended for Disney Weddings & Full-Day Events)

Perfect for:

• Weddings with multiple locations

• Larger parties or complex timelines

• Long Catholic ceremonies

• Ballroom reveals + extended dancing

• Firework dessert parties

• Multicultural weddings

• Luxury weddings with many details

Covers:

• Everything above plus space to breathe

• More creative portraits

• More candids of guests

• Room reveals

• Sunset or nighttime portraits

• Fireworks

• Exit photos

10 hours allows the day to flow naturally with no rushing, no skipping, no sacrifice.

How Long Things Actually Take on a Wedding Day

• Detail photos and flat lays: 45–60 minutes

• Getting ready coverage: 60-90 minutes (with no travel, 30 minutes dedicated to bride getting dressed)

• First look + portraits: 45–60 minutes (at least 15 minutes per first look)

• Wedding party photos: 30–45 minutes

• Ceremony: 20–60 minutes (or longer for religious weddings)

• Family formals: 20–30 minutes (About 2 minutes per family group)

• Reception events: 60–90 minutes

• Open dance floor coverage: 30–60 minutes

When you add those pieces together, most full weddings naturally fall in the 8–10 hour range.

This is why so many couples are shocked when they realize 6 hours only covers half of what they imagined. We do not recommend trying to squeeze 8 hours worth of photos into 6 hour in order to save on your budget. Instead, see how you can best maximize the time you choose and prioritize what moments are more important to you.

Choosing Coverage Based on Your Wedding Style

If you love candid moments, laughter, guests, a calmer day, details and storytelling → 8–10 hours

This gives us time to capture:

• You getting ready

• Your bridal details

• Your first look

• Your ceremony

• Portraits

• Reception moments

• Dancing

• Nighttime portraits

Your gallery will feel complete.

If you want a relaxed day with no rushing → 10 hours

You get:

• Beautiful detail photos

• Time for touch-ups

• Multiple portrait locations

• A full reception story

• Space to breathe and enjoy

Disney couples especially love this.

If you have multiple venues → 8–10 hours

Travel eats up time. More coverage protects your timeline.

If you’re having a simpler and more intimate day → 4–6 hours

Perfect for small ceremonies, micro weddings, or courthouse celebrations.

A Note on Videography & Content Creation

Many couples ask: “Can I skip videography and just do content creation?”

Content creation is incredible, it gives you behind-the-scenes moments, trends, vertical footage, and playful storytelling. But it does not replace videography.

Here’s the difference:

Videography

• Cinematic

• Professionally edited

• Full audio from vows + speeches

• Multiple camera angles

• A film that lasts decades

Content Creation

• Fun

• Fast delivery

• Social-media-ready

• Personal, candid, playful

• A complementary layer of storytelling

Videography Example:

Content Creation Example (3 Vertical Videos):

Why Couples Love Booking Honeycomb Films

At Honeycomb, we offer photo, video, and content creation all in the same team which means:

• One vision

• One timeline

• One prep process

• One trusted vendor

• No miscommunication

• No juggling multiple companies

• Seamless, stress-free collaboration

• A team who can read each other to know how to best work together

We specialize in full-service storytelling that matches your personalities and preserves your once-in-a-lifetime memories.

And the best part? You don’t have to decide everything right now.

If you book a base collection, you can always add more time later once your timeline is clearer and your plans are finalized.

We expect things to evolve. That’s how weddings work.We are flexible, supportive, and built for real couples and real wedding days.

Still Not Sure How Much Coverage You Need? Let’s Talk.

Your wedding day is unique. Your timeline should be too.

I’m always happy to walk you through:

• Your ceremony time

• Your venue details

• Whether you’re doing a first look

• Your bridal party size

• Travel between locations

• What moments matter most to you

Together, we’ll build a day that feels effortless and a gallery + film that feels like you.

✨ Reach out today to start planning your perfect coverage.Your memories deserve thoughtful storytelling.