Planning your wedding timeline can feel overwhelming, especially when deciding how many hours of photography coverage you’ll need. Choosing the right amount of time can mean the difference between having every magical moment captured or missing key memories.

As a Central Coast wedding photographer, I often guide couples toward either 6 hours or 8 hours of coverage depending on their day’s size and priorities.

Six hours is ideal if you’re:

Hosting a smaller wedding
Focusing on the ceremony and immediate celebrations
Having fewer guests or a single location

What you can capture in 6 hours:

Ceremony
Family and group portraits
Bride & groom portraits around the venue
Reception entrance and first few key moments (toasts, cake cutting, first dance)

Eight hours gives you flexibility and peace of mind, especially if you have a larger wedding or multiple locations.

What you can capture in 8 hours:

Some getting ready coverage 
Full ceremony coverage
Family, bridal party, and couple portraits
Reception details, first dances, speeches, cake cutting
Candid moments throughout the day, including sunset portraits and night time photo.

• Review your timeline: Are there multiple locations? Special events like a first look or cultural traditions?

• Prioritise moments: What parts of your day are most important to capture?

• Budget considerations: More coverage is an investment in memories you’ll cherish forever.