How Long Should Wedding Photos Take? How Much Time Should You Allot?
Are you planning your wedding day and probably wondering how long the pictures might take? And How much time to allot for each photo session?
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The duration of photos at weddings might stretch to a total of 7-8 hours, depending on the overall length of the wedding, its size, guests, arrangements, and the photography package. But the average wedding photo usually lasts for 45 minutes.
However, the time can vary depending on the couple’s preference, how many pictures they want, the moments they want the photographer to capture, and most especially, the wedding photographer’s style. Therefore, below is our quick give for how much time you should assign to the wedding photographer.
Arrival Of The Wedding Photographer – 15 Minutes
Most wedding days begin with the arrival of the photographers and their teams. However, a wedding photographer will be inactive until after the makeup session has been ongoing for at least 30 minutes. Nonetheless, it is advisable to have the photographer on the ground before that time.
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Therefore, we recommend you allocate between 15-30 minutes for the photographer’s arrival. Ensure your wedding photographer arrives at least 30 minutes before the day starts to unfold. This will prevent any sort of rushing on your special day, especially in the early period.
Getting Ready PhotoShoot – Approximately 2 Hours
Your makeup session is a vital part of the wedding day, and it usually consumes a lot of time because it entails several details.
During this phase, you are separated from your partner, getting ready for the ceremony at different locations or rooms. At this point, the wedding photographer will click several shots, which might include:
- wedding dresses (including shoes, rings, bags, and bouquets) of the bride
- close-ups photos of the bride getting dressed with the bridesmaids
- close-up pictures of the groom getting dressed with the groomsmen
- pictures of the makeup artist doing the bride and bridesmaid’s makeup for the wedding
Furthermore, the photographer might also click images of the bride with the parents if they are present at the dressing venue. Thus, we recommend you assign approximately 2 hours for the photos.
First Look And Couple Portrait Photo Session – 30-45 Minutes
If you and your partner (to be) choose to do a first look, also called a pre-reveal, the photographer will require around 30-45 minutes to document the pre-ceremony session.
At this phase, the photographer will capture the moment you and your spouse see each other for the first time in full wedding dresses or looks and your portrait images.
The Wedding Ceremony – 45-60 Minutes
The wedding ceremony photos often take 45-60 minutes, depending on the nature of the wedding. A typical church wedding photo takes approximately an hour due to the various rites and processes. At this point, the photographer will click several photos, such as:
- the location of the ceremony
- the arrival of the bride – the most important
- the exchange of vows and rings
- the couple’s first kiss
- the signing of the marriage registers
- couples receiving their wedding certificates
- couples with parents
- couples with officiating ministers, etc.
Wedding Party Portraits And Family Portraits – 30 Minutes Each
Most professional wedding photographers often take 20-30 minutes to click wedding party portraits. At this stage, they might capture:
- the couple with bridesmaids and groomsmen
- the couple with bridesmaids
- the couple with groomsmen
- the bride with the bridesmaids
- the groom with the groomsmen
- the groom with each groomsman
- the bride with each bridesmaid
- couples with their parents
- couples with distinguished guests, etc.
Furthermore, the family portraits session, which usually lasts for 30 minutes, might include capturing:
- the groom with his parents
- the bride with her parents
- couple with their parents
- the groom with his siblings
- the bride with her siblings
- couple with their siblings
- the groom with his aunts, uncles, nephews, and cousins
- the bride with her aunts, uncles, and others
- bride with grandparents
- groom with grandparents
- couple with their grandparents, etc.
More articles you may like to read –
How Many Photos Are Enough For A Wedding? 200? 400? Or More
What Is Typically Included In A Wedding Photography Package?
How Much Of Your Wedding Budget Should Be Spent On Photography?
Wedding Reception Photos – 2-3 Hours
Wedding receptions are always full of special moments and a variety of shooting opportunities. Thus, we recommend you assign a lot of time to the photos. This will allow the wedding photographer to capture beautiful photographs.
Some photos the photographer might capture include:
- The arrival of the couples
- The wedding cake
- Cutting of the cake
- The hall
- Couple’s first dance
- Toast and speeches
- The guest’s table, etc.
In conclusion, it is necessary to thoroughly pre-plan your wedding day, especially the photography session and how long each photo might take or require. Although the average duration of wedding photos is usually 45 minutes, we still recommend speaking with your photographers to discover how much time they will require.