Is 5 Hours of Wedding Photography Really Enough?

Why less coverage can feel more relaxed, genuine & stress-free

If you’ve started looking at photographers, you’ve probably noticed that many offer 8, 10 even 12 hours - or the ever-popular “all-day” coverage. So when you see a 5-hour wedding package, your first thought might be: is that really enough?

After 15 years and hundreds of weddings, here’s my answer: it depends on what you value most.

More and more couples today are choosing presence over production - the chance to be fully immersed in the day with your partner and closest loved ones, without cameras influencing every move. That’s where the real memories take root. And let’s be honest: every guest already has a camera in their pocket to capture the silly late-night shenanigans. Professional coverage is best used to focus on the heart of the day, while giving you the freedom to live and breathe it fully.

Why Less Can Be More

Everyone says their wedding day goes by in a blink - and they’re right. Long marathon coverage often adds stress, turning a celebration into an all-day production. Five hours, on the other hand, keeps things relaxed and genuine. It’s focused on the parts of your day you’ll want to remember most:

• Your vows

• Family and wedding party photos

• Time together as a couple

• Candid moments with guests during cocktails

• Your 1st Dance

That’s the heart of your wedding day.

But What About the Rest?

If your vision includes every detail from early morning hair prep to the last dance at midnight, then five hours isn’t the right fit. And that’s okay - you’ll find plenty of photographers who offer that.

But if you’d rather keep the focus on the ceremony, portraits and celebrating with the people closest to you, five hours is the sweet spot. And yes, if your timeline runs a little long, you can always add extra hours - the option is there.

The Couples Who Love This Approach

This kind of coverage isn’t for everyone, and that’s by design. It’s for couples who:

• Want their wedding day to feel relaxed

• Care more about being present than documenting every waking hour

• Like the idea of photography that fits seamlessly into the day rather than being influenced by the cameras

Final Thought

Five hours may not sound like much compared to traditional full-day packages - but it’s often more than enough to create meaningful photographs of the parts of your wedding you’ll truly remember.

From my experience as a groom and a long-time professional photog - 5 is the sweet-spot.