How Many Hours Should I Book My Wedding Photographer For?

Uncertainty in Planning Planning a wedding involves many details, and knowing how many hours of photography you need can be one of the most confusing parts.

Ensuring Adequate Coverage You want to ensure all significant moments are captured without paying for unnecessary hours.

Tailored Coverage Based on Your Day By understanding your wedding day schedule and prioritizing key moments, you can select the right photography package that meets both your needs and your budget.

Building a Wedding Timeline Always include extra time in your schedule to avoid feeling rushed. Unexpected delays can happen, and it’s better to have extra time and not need it than to stress about fitting everything in.

First Look Having a first look can be a private and calming moment before the ceremony, allowing you to spend more time together and take more photos without the pressure of guests waiting.

Weddings Without a First Look If you choose not to have a first look, plan for extra time during the cocktail hour for formal photos. Ensure everyone knows they’ll be needed for pictures immediately after the ceremony.

How Long Do Wedding Photos Take? Standard packages usually range from 6 to 10 hours. Here’s how different packages can fit your day:

• 6 Hour Package:

• Ideal for smaller weddings with fewer activities.

  2:15 - 3:15 First Look and Portraits

  3:15 - 4:15 Wedding Party and Family Formals

  4:15 - 5:00 Photograph ceremony & reception spaces while you wait for guests to arrive

  5:00 - 5:30 Ceremony

  5:30 - 6:30 Cocktail Hour

  6:30 - 7:00 Introductions into reception, First Dance, Parent Dances, Speeches/Toasts

  7:00 - 7:45 Dinner

  7:45 Cake cutting

  7:45 - 8:15 Dancing (Photographers leave at 8:15)

• 8 Hour Package:

• Covers getting ready photos and provides a balanced schedule.

  11:45 - 1:00 Getting Ready Photos

  1:00 - 1:15 Travel to Ceremony Location (15 min)

  1:15 - 2:15 First Look and Portraits

  2:15 - 3:15 Wedding Party and Family Formals

  3:15 - 4:00 Photograph ceremony & reception spaces while you wait for guests to arrive

  4:00 - 4:30 Ceremony

  4:30 - 5:30 Cocktail Hour

  5:30 - 6:00 Introductions into reception, First Dance, Parent Dances, Speeches/Toasts

  6:00 - 6:45 Dinner

  6:45 Cake cutting

  6:45 - 7:45 Dancing (Photographers leave at 7:45)

• 10 Hour Package:

• Perfect for longer ceremonies or multiple locations.

  11:00 - 12:15 Getting Ready Photos

  12:15 - 12:45 Travel to Ceremony Location (30 min)

  1:15 - 2:15 First Look and Portraits

  2:15 - 3:15 Wedding Party and Family Formals

  3:15 - 4:00 Photograph ceremony space while you wait for guests to arrive

  4:00 - 5:00 Ceremony

  5:00 - 5:30 Travel to reception (30 min)

  5:30 - 6:30 Cocktail Hour

  6:30 - 7:00 Introductions into reception, First Dance, Parent Dances, Speeches/Toasts

  7:00 - 7:45 Dinner

  7:45 Cake cutting

  7:45 - 8:30 Dancing (Photographers leave at 9:00)

  8:30 -9:00 Exit (Photographers leave at 9:00)

Additional Hours or/and Custom Hours If unsure, start with a basic package and add hours as needed. Discuss your options with your photographer to find the best fit.

Example Timelines Provide your photographer with details about your day for a customized timeline, including whether you want getting-ready photos and if you’re having a first look.

About Alyssa

I capture the genuine beauty and unique moments of your special day, creating a lasting visual story of your love.

In addition to her photography endeavors, Alyssa balances her roles as a devoted mother to her daughter and beloved dog, and as a supportive wife to Tim. Outside of work, she embraces a myriad of outdoor pursuits, including hiking, biking, running, skiing, snowboarding, camping, fishing, hunting, and paddleboarding, relishing every opportunity for adventure and exploration amidst Montana's breathtaking landscapes. Alongside her professional pursuits, Alyssa also dedicates her time as a full-time Real Estate Advisor at Engel & Volkers Bozeman Real Estate, further enriching her multifaceted life.

Ready to Capture Your Wedding Day?

Benefits You Can Expect

• Comprehensive Coverage - Capture every significant moment from start to finish.

• Customized Attention - Photography packages tailored to your specific needs.

• Artistic Excellence - Stunning, candid photos that highlight the essence of your day.

Testimonials

How It Works: Three Simple Steps

1. Consultation - Discuss your vision and requirements.

2. Planning - Develop a customized photography plan.

3. Execution - Capture every precious moment of your wedding day.

Here’s What You’ll Get

1. Flawless Images: High edited photos

2. Timeless Memories: Freezing time

3. Authentic Moments: Capturing the moment

4. Effortless Elegance: Natural posing

5. Emotional Impact: Capture emotion and feeling

6. Seamless Coordination: Communication skills

7. Perfect Visuals: Good lighting and editing

8. Genuine Reflections: Capturing personality

9. Reliable Expertise: Experience

10. Stress-Free Solutions: Problem solving

Ready to Get Started?

By understanding your wedding timeline and selecting the right photography package, you can ensure every important moment is beautifully captured. Let me help you preserve the memories of your special day.

Kara and Ryan: A Love Story for the Ages

Capturing Authentic Moments

Many couples struggle to find ways to capture their wedding day that truly reflect their unique love story and personalities. Traditional photography often feels too posed and fails to convey the genuine emotions of the day.

Finding the Right Venue

Selecting a venue that not only looks beautiful but also complements the couple's story and style can be challenging. Many venues can be either too commercial or lack the intimate charm couples are looking for.

Personalized Wedding Photography and Unique Venues

By choosing personalized wedding photography and a unique venue like Bozeman Mountain Escape, couples can ensure their special day is captured in a way that truly represents their journey. With a focus on authentic moments and a picturesque setting, every photograph will tell the story of their love.

Capturing the Magic of Their Wedding Day at Bozeman Mountain Escape

On Sunday, May 26, 2024, Kara and Ryan celebrated their love at the beautiful Bozeman Mountain Escape in Livingston, MT. Their journey, filled with joy, adventure, and heartfelt moments, led them to this perfect day.

How It All Began

Kara and Ryan's story began in an unexpected place—a CrossFit gym in Nashville, TN. Kara was pushing through a grueling set of burpees, and Ryan, watching her determination, thought to himself, "Wow! She has some gravel in her gut." Intrigued, he soon mustered the courage to ask her out on a date. To his delight, she said "Yes!"

Falling in Love

Their connection grew stronger with each passing day. They embarked on adventures big and small, from sampling the best chicken wings in Tennessee and camping in monsoon conditions to enjoying movies, dining at fancy restaurants, and even washing their cars together. Each experience brought them closer, deepening their understanding and love for one another.

A New Chapter in Bozeman

In 2022, Kara and Ryan moved to Bozeman, MT, to start the next chapter of their lives together. Living in the "great white north" presented new challenges, like driving in snow and budgeting with two incomes. Through it all, they supported each other, learning to navigate the quirks of cohabitation. Their love grew stronger with each new lesson and shared experience.

The Proposal

By 2023, Kara and Ryan knew they were ready for the next step in their relationship. In December, under the watchful eyes of the bison and wolves in Yellowstone National Park, Ryan asked Kara to spend the rest of her life with him. Her answer was a resounding "Yes!"

The Wedding Day

As Kara and Ryan stood together at Bozeman Mountain Escape, surrounded by family and friends, they reflected on their incredible journey. From the CrossFit gym in Nashville to the majestic landscapes of Montana, their love story has been one of perseverance, growth, and unwavering commitment.

Join us in celebrating the start of Kara and Ryan Van Sluytman's new life together. May their days be filled with continued adventure, laughter, and the deep love that has brought them to this beautiful moment.

About Me

At Alyssa Johnson Photography, we are passionate about capturing the authentic and unique moments of your special day. With years of experience in wedding photography and a keen eye for detail, we ensure that every photograph tells the story of your love in the most beautiful way possible.

Want to see how we can transform your wedding memories?

Benefits You Can Expect

Benefit 1: Authentic Moments Captured – We focus on candid shots that reflect genuine emotions.
Benefit 2: Personalized Service – Tailored photography that tells your unique love story.
Benefit 3: Stunning Venues – We help you choose venues that complement your style and story.

Testimonials

How It Works

1. Consultation – We discuss your vision and preferences.

2. Planning – We help you choose the perfect venue and plan the shoot.

3. The Big Day – We capture every special moment, ensuring your love story is beautifully documented.

Here’s What You’ll Get

1. Personalized photography service

2. Pre-wedding consultation

3. Venue selection assistance

4. High-resolution digital images

5. Custom photo album

6. Online gallery for sharing

7. Candid and posed shots

8. Full-day coverage

9. Engagement photo session

10. Professional editing and retouching

Ready to get started?